Oscars 2024: A Deep Dive into the Nominations, Predictions

As the anticipation for the 2024 Oscars reaches its peak, the film industry is abuzz with excitement over the outstanding nominations across various categories. The Best Picture race is shaping up to be a particularly tough competition, with ten stellar films vying for the top honor. 

Best Picture: 

The Best Picture category boasts an impressive lineup of films spanning different genres and storytelling styles. “Barbie” is the fan’s choice meanwhile, “American Fiction,” a thought-provoking exploration of human connection in the digital age, goes head-to-head with “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a gripping crime drama from the legendary Martin Scorsese. “Maestro,” delving into the life of Leonard Bernstein, and “Poor Things,” a unique narrative based on Alasdair Gray’s novel, are also strong contenders.

Among the dark horses, “The Holdovers” and “Oppenheimer” are generating significant buzz, with both films showcasing the depth and diversity of this year’s cinematic offerings. The winner in this category could be anyone’s guess, with each film bringing its unique flair to the table.

My Prediction – “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Best Director: 

The Best Director category is stacked with renowned filmmakers, each bringing their unique vision to the screen. Justine Triet’s work on “Anatomy of a Fall” has earned praise for its artistic and narrative prowess. Martin Scorsese’s direction in “Killers of the Flower Moon” is expectedly masterful, while Christopher Nolan’s intricate storytelling in “Oppenheimer” has captivated audiences.

Yorgos Lanthimos (“Poor Things”) and Jonathan Glazer (“The Zone of Interest”) round out the category, showcasing their ability to weave compelling narratives. As the Oscars approach, the battle for Best Director promises to be as intense as the films they helmed.

My Prediction – Christopher Nolan – “Oppenheimer” 

Best Actor and Actress: 

A Showcase of Outstanding Performances  In the Best Actor category, Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro” stands out, alongside powerful performances from Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti, Cillian Murphy, and Jeffrey Wright. The competition is fierce, with each actor bringing their A-game to the big screen.  

The Best Actress category is equally competitive, with Annette Bening, Lily Gladstone, Sandra Hüller, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Stone delivering standout performances. The diversity of roles and the depth of talent displayed make predicting a winner a challenging task.

My Prediction- 

Best Actor: Bradley Cooper- “Maestro”

Best Actress: Lily Gladstone: ” Killers of The Flower Moon” 

Best Supporting Actor and Actress:

Sterling K. Brown’s impactful performance in “American Fiction” and Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal in “Oppenheimer” make them strong contenders for Best Supporting Actor. Emily Blunt’s role in “Oppenheimer” and America Ferrera’s moving performance in “Barbie”, Danielle Brooks’ powerful performance in “The Color Purple” stand out in the Best Supporting Actress category. The competition is fierce, and surprises may be in store.

My Prediction- 

Best Supporting Actor: Sterling K. Brown for “American Fiction”

Best supporting actress: America Ferrera for “Barbie” 

Best Original and Adapted Screenplay

The writing categories showcase a mix of original stories and adaptations. “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Maestro,” and “The Holdovers” present strong cases for Best Original Screenplay. In the adapted category, “American Fiction,” “Oppenheimer,” and “Poor Things” demonstrate exceptional storytelling based on source material.

My Prediction – 

Best Adapted Screenplay: “Oppenheimer” – Christopher Nolan; based on the biography “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin

Best Original Screenplay: “Maestro” – Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer

Best Animated Feature

In the animation category, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” and the visually stunning “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” are strong contenders. “Nimona” and “Elemental” bring unique perspectives, while “Robot Dreams” adds a touch of innovation. The category promises to be a celebration of creativity and imagination.

My Prediction – “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

Best International Feature Film

International cinema shines in the Best International Feature Film category. Matteo Garrone’s “Io capitano,” Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days,” and J. A. Bayona’s “Society of the Snow” showcases the global talent present in the competition. “The Teachers’ Lounge” from Germany and “The Zone of Interest” from the United Kingdom round out a diverse and compelling lineup.

My Prediction-  “Io capitano” (Italy) – directed by Matteo Garrone

Conclusion

As the anticipation builds for the Oscars 2024, the film industry is primed for a night of celebration and recognition. With such a stellar lineup of nominees, predicting the winners in each category is a challenging yet thrilling task. The ceremony promises to be a showcase of talent, creativity, and the magic of cinema, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting the reveal of the winners on Hollywood’s most glamorous night.

Featured photo by Jernej Furman on Flickr.

Emily Hess can be reached via email at edrewes@sagebrush.unr.edu or via Twitter @NevadaSagebrush.