Ranking Every 2024 Oscars Best Picture Nominee From Worst to Best

Oscars Best Picture winners
Oscars Best Picture winners

With the 96th Academy Awards on the horizon, this latest slate of best picture nominees have offered a wide variety of stories to get lost in. From biopics chronicling musicians and physicists to a breathtaking adaptation of the world’s most loved doll, it’s about time to rank these films from worst to best.

 

10. MAESTRO

Following the critical darling that was 2018’s A Star is Born, comedic actor turned filmmaker Bradley Cooper is actively seeking to once again appease the academy with Maestro. He wastes no time in the director’s chair, establishing his heightened ambition with the dynamic camera movements in the opening, in addition to shifting aspect ratios, and black and white cinematography. Unfortunately, anyone not too familiar with the iconic musician, like myself, is left with more questions than answers to why he was such a distinctly important creative, leaving his musical development on the horizon as we instead follow his passionate relationship with his wife. Had it not been for the effort-laced performances of Bradley Cooper and especially Carrey Mulligan, there’d be next to nothing here worth getting immersed in.

 

9. PAST LIVES

Past Lives
Past Lives

Acting as Celine Song’s calm and controlled directorial debut, the humanistic approach of Past Lives sees us follow Nora (originally Na Young) across three distinct stages of life spanning over 20 years as she interacts with the same, charmed schoolmate. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo each turn in fine performances, but much of their deliberately lukewarm, stilted delivery causes the dialogue to feel inauthentic throughout. Its admirable meditation over concepts of destiny and migration is compelling on a base level, but the innately slow nature of the story results in enough sluggish pacing throughout that the film almost feels like an endurance run by the end.

 

8. BARBIE

Barbie
Barbie

Within the first 10 minutes, Barbie wastes no time flaunting its incredible production design, irresistibly catchy songs, and expressive choreography. Margot Robbie is a picture-perfect actress for the titular role, while Ryan Gosling hilariously ingratiates himself into the world entirely. Considering the nuance and subtlety reflected in the previous collaborations of Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach however, the film regrettably lacks it, most as a result of the strikingly on-the-nose screenplay. The culmination of Ferrera and Greenblatt’s real world relationship most clearly exudes its hamfisted nature, but at the very least, Barbie’s portrayal and subversion of gender norms is executed in a meaningful and entertaining manner with kindness.

 

7. THE ZONE OF INTEREST

The Zone of Interest
The Zone of Interest

Evil comes in many forms, and Jonathan Glazer challenges the audience’s interpretation of such in a way that goes against traditional filmmaking with The Zone of Interest. The household dilemmas featured throughout transcend life’s mundanity into something disturbingly warped when the subtext reveals the family’s inhumane and indifferent role in 1940s Germany. Micah Levi’s sparingly used score never feels out of place, and the editing indulges in a few jarring moments, far enough between each other to succinctly convey its message. The deliberate slow-burn nature isn’t helped by Glazer’s restricted approach, but it does ultimately cause the minimalist sound design and smoky atmosphere to be more impactful overall.

 

6. POOR THINGS

Poor Things movie
Poor Things movie

Similar to Jonathan Glazer previously, Yorgos Lanthimos naturally directs his films in a bizarrely non-traditional fashion, and Poor Things is certainly no exception. The character of Bella Baxter is one that could naturally be an aggressively annoying lead, but Emma Stone’s physicality and gradually dissipating, infant-like behavior is unwaveringly endearing. As offbeat as its world may be, the caring and delicate performances from both Willem Dafoe and Ramy Youssef work to round out an enjoyable supporting cast that feel genuine. Its second act takes a dip in pacing that only picks up at the start of the third, but Lanthimos’ direction paired with some of the most compelling cinematography of 2023 always keeps the scenes stimulating.

 

5. AMERICAN FICTION

The confidence and wit laced across American Fiction feels so naturally integrated, many may be surprised to learn it is the feature debut of director/writer Cord Jefferson. The pandering, vapid sector of Hollywood entertainment has only grown throughout the years, and the nigh washed up writer Monk, played brilliantly by Jeffrey Wright, exploits these shameful practices in one of the funniest commentaries I’ve seen in theaters in a long time. As his ‘pafology’ succeeds, so do the fantastic performances of Erika Alexander and Sterling K. Brown in supporting roles. None of the attempts made to reflect society ever come off as forced either, and given its amazing pacing, I could’ve watched even more with these characters.

 

4. ANATOMY OF A FALL

Anatomy of a Fall would be comparable to most any other courtroom drama, but the level of keen detail within the script as well as the meticulous performances makes for an endlessly descriptive and engaging watch. As more layers are peeled back from Sandra Hüller and Samuel Theis’ characters of the same forenames, you can’t help but be enamored voyeuristically by the resentful relationship harbored between the two. One of the key imposing figures here is Antoine Reinartz, who remains an inarguable force to be reckoned with from the moment he is introduced, refusing to let up across any of his screen time. The sharp screenplay co-written by director Justine Triet is poised as is her direction, allowing the audience to interpret things on their own accord rather than be spoonfed the greater meaning, which makes for an excellent conversation.

 

3. KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Killers of the Flower Moon poster with Leo's eyes
Killers of the Flower Moon

Of the 26 films and counting from Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon is probably the most difficult in his filmography to get through, and it isn’t even due to the near 3.5 hour length. Rather, it is the bleak universe we are subjected to, full of sinister people with the most evil intentions. DiCaprio turns in an expectedly fantastic performance, De Niro shines in one of his more methodical, subdued roles, but the best work comes from a well intentioned Lily Gladstone you can’t help but feel miserable for throughout the entire watch. The project’s authenticity is assisted by casting current resident Everett Waller as the Osage leader, making the communal atmosphere feel more bona fide. The ongoing story never grows disinteresting, and the introspective ending is a perfect wrap-up.

 

2. THE HOLDOVERS

The Holdovers review
The Holdovers

As his last endeavor with 2017’s Downsizing was a critical and financial flop, there were reasons to be apprehensive going into director Alexander Payne’s next work, The Holdovers. Graciously, the film sees him return to form with an intensely authentic slice of human life, electrified by the three main performers. Paul Giamatti is a perfect casting choice as the cynical teacher, Dominic Sessa shines as a rising star in his debut film role, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph delivered one of if not the most emotionally powerful performance of 2023. Her Supporting Actress win is all but guaranteed at this point, and it’s entirely deserving. Although even Payne himself is confused by the opinion of this being a “cozy” movie, the radiating camaraderie between the three leads is endlessly easygoing and rewatchable.

 

1. OPPENHEIMER

Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer

The powerful cinematic experience that was Oppenheimer not only tops this cluster of 10 nominees, but also every other film released in 2023 for me. Christopher Nolan’s staggering ambition is translated to the screen near flawlessly, including some of the most gorgeously horrifying visuals across any of his movies. The sound design works exclusively to the benefit of every scene, with the test sequence specifically being one of the most intensely immersive theatrical experiences. Cillian Murphy in the title role gives what is easily his strongest performance across any film, and Robert Downey Jr. is reminding everyone without hesitation that his acting abilities have more range than what he was confined to in his biggest role as Tony Stark. Everything comes to a head in the tension-filled finale, where the heavy historical implications of this moment in time is bound to leave viewers walking away speechless.

The 2024 Oscars will take place on March 10th, 2024.

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