In a groundbreaking achievement, Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller “Sinner” has made history by earning a staggering 16 Academy Award nominations, the most for any film in the prestigious awards’ 97-year history. This cinematic triumph, starring Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers battling racism and vampires in 1930s Mississippi, has captivated audiences worldwide, raking in $368 million globally.
Sinner’s impressive haul of nominations includes nods for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and several supporting acting categories, showcasing the film’s critical and commercial success. The nomination for costume design also marks a significant milestone, as it makes Ruth E. Carter the most-nominated Black woman in Oscars history, with five nominations to her name.
Closely trailing Sinner is the rambunctious counterculture comedy “One Battle After Another,” which has secured 13 nominations, including predicted wins for Best Picture and Best Director for veteran Oscar bridesmaid Paul Thomas Anderson. The film’s supporting cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio del Toro, have also received recognition.
Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” also performed strongly, earning eight nominations, including a nod for Jessie Buckley, the frontrunner for Best Actress. However, the film’s co-star, Paul Mescal, was a surprising snub in the Supporting Actor category.
The spread of nominations this year reflects the Academy’s increasing internationalism, with subtitled films such as “Sentimental Value,” “The Secret Agent,” and “It Was Just An Accident” earning recognition across multiple categories. The nine nominations for “Sentimental Value” include a groundbreaking four acting nods for foreign-language performers, setting a new record.
The success of these international productions continues the trend that began in 2020 with “Parasite’s” multiple victories and was witnessed last year with strong showings for “I’m Still Here” and “Emilia Pérez.” This shift in the Academy’s demographic, with more than a quarter of the nearly 11,000 voters now hailing from outside the US and a more diverse overall makeup, has undoubtedly contributed to the recognition of these diverse stories and talents.
As the industry eagerly awaits the March 15th ceremony, the competition promises to be fierce, with Sinner, One Battle After Another, and Hamnet leading the charge. The upcoming Bafta awards, set to be hosted by the incoming MC Alan Cumming, will provide an intriguing preview of the Oscars race, as the industry gears up for one of the most anticipated awards seasons in recent memory.