By Beth Nugent, Third Year, Film and Television
Oscar season started with a bang on the 22nd of January, with its list of nominees. Including zero nominations for Wicked; For Good (2025), a surprise best picture nomination and a record-breaking amount of nominations for one film in particular.
It’s clear from the list that Hamnet (2025), Sentimental Value (2025), One Battle After Another (2025), Sinners (2025) and Marty Supreme (2025) are the front-runners, but let's unpack these nominations and what they actually mean.
SURPRISE - F1 The Movie (2025)
The Apple TV film starring Brad Pitt grossed more than $630 million worldwide and has been nominated for a total of 4 Oscars this year, including Visual Effects, Sound and Film Editing, but the surprise nomination was the coveted Best Picture. Amongst films like Hamnet, Sentimental value and Sinners, this film sticks out like a sore thumb. What was essentially a two-and-a-half-hour ad for F1 has now snuck in to contend for the award of the evening. Whilst not surprising, it’s disheartening how quickly the world forgets about the ongoing abuse allegations against Brad Pitt, even with half of his children dropping his last name. Hollywood is a lot more forgiving of men in positions of power and will welcome them back with a red carpet and a gold statue.
SNUB - Wicked: For Good
Those who read my review of Wicked: For Good will know that it was nowhere near the standard of part one, and I had my own feelings about how the story played out, so the lack of nominations in the big categories isn’t a massive shock. However, the lack of nominations in the more technical categories is slightly more confusing.
There was an expectation that they would be in the running for Costume (which they won last year), or Hair and Makeup with their spectacular transformations of the scarecrow and tin man. Whilst the scarecrow makeup didn’t exactly translate well on screen and made the dreamy Jonathon Bailey more akin to Ryan Reynolds, if you rummage through the internet, you can find the behind-the-scenes photos and agree that the makeup really was a work of art.
When looking at the other actresses in the best lead and supporting categories, it’s clear that Erivo and Grande don’t belong in these categories, but it’s a shock that the film wasn’t acknowledged at all.
SURPRISE - Kate Hudson
Being a film student, I like to pride myself on keeping up with the industry and having at least a basic understanding of what films are being released into the world, but Song Sung Blue (2025) completely slipped under my radar.
The film stars Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, two performers who form a Neil Diamond tribute act and remind themselves that it’s never too late to find love or follow your dreams. Hudson beat out the Golden Globe nominee Chase Infiniti for her role as Willa in One Battle After Another and Jennifer Lawrence in Die My Love (2025).
But even with this shocking nomination, it’s clear that the award for Best Actress will be going to Jesse Buckley for Hamnet - and that’s well deserved.
SNUB - Paul Mescal
It’s always a difficult decision whether to put yourself forward for a lead or supporting role when it comes to award season; the wrong choice could mean an omission from a nomination altogether, and this might be what happened to Paul Mescal with his role as William Shakespeare in Hamnet.
Instead of lead actor, Mescal chose to put himself as a supporting actor in this award circuit. Whilst the star performance was Buckley, Mescal held his own against her; they worked in perfect synergy on screen and his performance was a tear-jerker. He played the world-renowned writer with such determination and conviction, yet also softness when it came to his family, a truly moving performance that deserved to be acknowledged.
SINNERS (2025)
Breaking a record, Sinners became the most nominated film ever at the Academy Awards, securing a total of 16 nominations. Ryan Coogler was recognised as Best Director as well as Best Original Screenplay.
Their nominations also included Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Original Song, Best score and of course Best Picture. Sinners was a standout film this year and I really hope it gets the Golden Statues to prove it in March. There’s something so satisfying about an original and well-crafted movie getting the praise it deserves.
Epigram Film and TV
Whilst nothing is certain, I am sure that the ceremony itself will bring even more surprises. This year is extremely tight, and the quality of the front-running movies are all extremely similar, so it’s really anyone's game.
Make sure to tune into Epigram's live updates of the ceremony on the 15th of March.
Featured Image: Mirko Fabian / Unsplash
Do you think Sinners will win big at the Oscars in 2026?
