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When the Academy unveiled the lineup for the 95th Academy Awards, the announcement immediately sparked intense industry debate. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's sci-fi absurdist comedy Everything Everywhere All at Once dominated the field with 11 total nominations, setting a high-water mark for the year. Yet beneath the frontrunner's dominance, the morning delivered a wave of unexpected snubs and left-field inclusions that turned conventional Hollywood predictions upside down.
From grassroots celebrity-backed campaigns to glaring omissions in major categories, the reveal exposed deep fractures in traditional awards forecasting. Let's break down the major category highlights, the unexpected surprises, and the high-profile snubs that defined the 2023 race.
Major Category Breakdown and Frontrunners
While individual surprises captured headlines, several major studio and indie films established commanding positions across the primary categories. Everything Everywhere All at Once led the charge, securing nods for Best Picture, Best Director, and four acting nominations—a rare feat for an indie genre film.
Martin McDonagh's dark comedy The Banshees of Inisherin and Edward Berger's anti-war epic All Quiet on the Western Front followed close behind with nine nominations each. Meanwhile, streaming giants and traditional studios fought for space in competitive fields like Best Original Screenplay and Best Animated Feature, where Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio maintained its status as the heavy favorite. For broader details on this issue, comprehensive coverage can also be found at Rolling Stone.
To understand how the race shaped up, review the key contenders in the major categories:
- Best Picture: Contenders ranged from box office juggernauts like Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water to critically adored independent features like Tár and The Fabelmans.
- Best Director: A tight race featuring Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans), Todd Field (Tár), Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin), Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness).
- Best Actress: Cate Blanchett (Tár) and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) battled as frontrunners throughout the season, joined by Michelle Williams, Ana de Armas, and a surprise dark horse nominee.
The Biggest Surprises of the Morning
Academy voters routinely ignore traditional precursors to throw curveballs, and this year proved no exception. Several nominations caught industry analysts completely off guard.
Andrea Riseborough for Best Actress
The inclusion of Andrea Riseborough for her role in the micro-budget indie drama To Leslie stands out as one of the most unconventional nominations in modern Oscar history. Without traditional studio backing or major precursors from the Golden Globes or Critics Choice Awards, Riseborough secured her slot following a late, intense grassroots campaign powered by high-profile celebrity endorsements from actors like Kate Winslet and Edward Norton.
Brian Tyree Henry and Paul Mescal
In the supporting and lead actor fields, indie dramas carved out unexpected space. Brian Tyree Henry earned a Best Supporting Actor nod for his poignant work in Apple TV+'s Causeway, breaking through despite missing major guild nominations earlier in the season. Similarly, Paul Mescal secured a Best Actor nomination for his heartbreaking performance as a young father in Charlotte Wells's Aftersun, establishing his place among the industry's elite dramatic actors.
Triangle of Sadness Breaks Through
Ruben Östlund's satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness outperformed expectations. Beyond securing a surprise Best Picture nomination, the film punched above its weight class by landing Östlund a spot in the Best Director category and a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, defying expectations that it would be relegated exclusively to European festival circuits.
High-Profile Snubs That Shocked Hollywood
Every nomination morning leaves a trail of disappointed filmmakers and actors, but several omissions created immediate backlash from critics and audiences alike.
The Complete Shutout of Female Directors
Despite a banner year for women-directed cinema, the Academy completely shut out female filmmakers in the Best Director category. Notable critical darlings and box office contenders—including Sarah Polley (Women Talking), Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), and Charlotte Wells (Aftersun)—were omitted. This led to swift public criticism from advocacy groups like Women In Film, highlighting ongoing systemic representation issues within the directing branch.
Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis Miss Out
In one of the most competitive Best Actress races in years, major precursors indicated that Danielle Deadwyler (Till) and Viola Davis (The Woman King) were safe bets for nominations. Deadwyler delivered a devastating breakout performance as Mamie Till-Mobley, while Davis carried her historical epic to strong box office returns. Both actors were ultimately edged out, sparking widespread industry conversations about voting biases within the Academy's broader membership.
Tom Cruise and Top Gun: Maverick
While Top Gun: Maverick easily secured a coveted Best Picture nomination alongside technical category recognition, box office titan Tom Cruise was left off the Best Actor ballot. While genre performances rarely sweep the Academy's acting branches, many anticipated that Cruise's physical commitment and cultural impact would secure him the fifth slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which film received the most total nominations?
Everything Everywhere All at Once led the 95th Academy Awards field with 11 total nominations, ultimately winning several major categories, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Director during the March ceremony.
Who hosted the 95th Academy Awards ceremony?
Comedian and television host Jimmy Kimmel returned to host the live ceremony on ABC, marking his third time presiding over the event.
Where can I find the complete official list of winners?
The Academy provides a searchable database of every nominee and category winner on the Official Oscars Website.
How do independent films like To Leslie manage to secure nominations without major studio campaigns?
Independent films occasionally break through via passionate word-of-mouth campaigns among voting members. When high-profile actors and industry peers actively screen indie projects for one another during voting windows, it can overcome a lack of traditional marketing capital.
