The announcement of the 2025 Academy Award nominations, delayed twice due to the ongoing wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, brought both anticipated names and unexpected contenders to the forefront. In the wake of the devastating wildfires that claimed at least 28 lives and caused massive destruction, the Oscars telecast this March will pay tribute to those who fought against the fires. The wildfires have not only altered the landscape but have also cast a shadow over the glitzy award season.
The Academy’s move to extend the voting deadlines was an attempt to acknowledge the natural disaster’s impact on the film industry. This year’s nominations were a testament to both artistic excellence and the industry’s resilience during uncertain times. Hollywood, grappling with challenges like COVID-19, labor strikes, and fires, is navigating a transformative phase as streaming platforms like Netflix continue to alter how movies are made and consumed.
A Diverse Pool of Nominations
This year’s best actor category is headlined by Timothée Chalamet, whose role in A Complete Unknown earned him a nomination for his transformative portrayal of Dylan. He faces stiff competition from Adrien Brody, the youngest actor to win the Oscar for The Pianist in 2003, now nominated for The Brutalist. Joining them are Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes for Conclave, and Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice, a biographical film on Donald Trump. The latter’s performance as Trump has been widely discussed, especially after the film struggled to find distribution due to the controversial subject matter.
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Meanwhile, in the best actress category, Demi Moore’s return to Hollywood earned her a nomination for The Substance, a film that critiques the movie industry’s ageism and sexism. Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender actor nominated for an Oscar, was also recognized for her role in Emilia Pérez. Other nominees include Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, and Cynthia Erivo, who dazzled in Wicked.
Best supporting actor nominees include Kieran Culkin, who is regarded as a frontrunner following his Golden Globe win for A Real Pain, alongside Jeremy Strong, who earned his nomination for playing Trump’s mentor, Roy Cohn, in The Apprentice. Zoe Saldaña, renowned for her roles in Avatar, made an unexpected splash in the musical Emilia Pérez, earning a supporting actress nod. She competes against Ariana Grande, Felicity Jones, Monica Barbaro, and Isabella Rossellini.
Directorial Surprises and Industry Shifts
Director Brady Corbet earned a nomination for his long-anticipated The Brutalist, a project that struggled for years to find funding. He faces competition from a variety of filmmakers: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Coralie Fargeat for The Substance, Sean Baker for Anora, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown. Each nominee has been recognized for their multi-faceted contributions, with Baker also nominated for his work as an editor, producer, and screenwriter.
This year’s nominations highlight the increasing influence of streaming platforms. Netflix received 16 nominations for Emilia Pérez, while A24, a smaller distributor, made waves with 14 nominations for The Brutalist. Universal dominated the nominations with 25 nods, driven primarily by Wicked and Conclave. These shifts are emblematic of how the film industry continues to evolve, as streaming giants and independent studios vie for prominence.
Challenges Ahead for the Film Industry
The Academy Awards, traditionally a celebration of cinematic achievement, find themselves in a different context this year. Hollywood has seen box office revenues decline, with 2024 domestic ticket sales dropping over 3% from the previous year and nearly 24% from pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, streaming services have seen a rise in subscriptions, reshaping how films reach audiences. As the industry faces uncertainty, the upcoming Oscars are set against a backdrop of ongoing labor strikes and corporate consolidations that continue to reshape the Hollywood landscape.
In this environment, the Oscars could feel less like a glamorous affair and more like a moment of reflection. Conan O’Brien will host the March 2 ceremony, aiming to lift spirits in what promises to be a year of both artistic celebration and industry reckoning. The show will air on ABC and, for the first time, stream live on Hulu, highlighting the changing ways audiences consume entertainment.
As the Academy Awards approaches, the diversity and talent represented in this year’s nominations reflect a turning point for the film industry. Films like A Complete Unknown and Emilia Pérez are challenging the boundaries of traditional cinema, while newcomers like Gascón and Madison are breaking down barriers in a rapidly evolving Hollywood. With the Oscars serving as both a reflection of the past and a look toward the future, the 2025 nominations underscore the industry’s resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges.