The Academy Awards, often referred to as the Oscars, have long been a source of both acclaim and controversy in the film industry. While the prestigious ceremony is meant to honor the year’s finest cinematic achievements, its decisions have at times been puzzling, if not outright baffling, in the public spotlight.
This year, the 97th Academy Awards, originally scheduled for Jan. 17th, have been postponed to Mar. 2nd due to the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
Despite the delay, the event is shaping up to be an exciting one, with a diverse array of nominees across 23 categories.
The nominations were announced live by Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang, reflecting the growing prominence of younger voices in Hollywood.
Leading the pack with 13 nominations is the crime musical Emilia Pérez, which is just one shy of tying the record for most nominations for a single film. Close behind are The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 nominations each, followed by A Complete Unknown and Conclave with eight nominations apiece.
In the acting categories, Cynthia Erivo is nominated for Wicked alongside Pop superstar Ariana Grande, who earned her first-ever Oscar nomination for “Best Supporting Actress.”
Meanwhile, a fresh crop of talent has emerged, including first-time nominees Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, Demi Moore, and Karla Sofia Gascon—with Gascon making history as the first openly transgender actor to be recognized by the Academy.
Notably, Coralie Fargeat is the sole female director nominated in the best directing category for her work on The Substance, while Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) and Demi Moore (The Substance) scored their first Oscar nominations.
However, these nominations have sparked a whirlwind of both praise and controversy.
Emilia Perez has drawn criticism for its poor representation of the transgender community and its superficial depiction of Mexican culture, despite its impressive 13 Oscar nominations.
Similarly, the political thriller Conclave has faced backlash from Catholic groups over its portrayal of scandalous secrets within the Church. As well as the team behind The Brutalist admitted to using AI technology in the filmmaking process, raising ethical concerns.
Lastly, actress Mikey Madison’s refusal to work with an intimacy coordinator on the set of Anora has sparked further discussion around the importance of such measures to ensure the safety and well-being of performers.
Although the 2025 Oscar nominations celebrated diverse talent and narratives despite its controversies, some notable snubs drew attention.
The acclaimed drama Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, was shut out completely, despite its critical praise and strong performance at the box office.
Starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, the film was not nominated for the original score category. Despite winning the best original score at the Golden Globes.
Overall, the Oscars’ penchant for the unexpected has become a defining characteristic of the awards season, with outrageous wins, snubs, and controversies often grabbing headlines and sparking passionate discussions within the film community.
As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the Academy will find ways to address these lingering issues and restore a sense of credibility to the coveted golden statuettes.
