Despite the challenges posed by recent wildfires in Los Angeles, the 2025 Academy Awards are set to proceed as scheduled on March 2. After some delays in announcing the nominations, the event is now confirmed to move forward. The entertainment industry has shown resilience, focusing on celebrating cinematic achievements amidst adversity.

The nominations have sparked considerable discussion, with Emilia Pérez leading the pack with an impressive 13 nods. This film, despite its controversial reputation this season, has managed to dominate the nominations. Wicked and The Brutalist follow closely behind with 10 nominations each. However, not all expected contenders made the cut, leading to both surprises and disappointments.

Several notable figures were notably absent from the list. Selena Gomez, who was part of the core cast of Emilia Pérez, did not receive a nod for her supporting role, while her co-stars Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña were recognized. Similarly, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who had already garnered several nominations for her role in Hard Truths, was overlooked by both the Golden Globes and Oscars. Angelina Jolie, who many considered a frontrunner for Best Actress in Maria, also missed out on a nomination. Additionally, Kieran Culkin's success in the Best Supporting Actor category did not extend to a Best Picture nomination for his film, and Jon M. Chu, despite directing the highly nominated Wicked, was not included in the directorial category.

On the other hand, there were some unexpected entries that caught the attention of many. The Substance, a campy horror film, received five nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Coralie Fargeat. Nosferatu, another horror film, surprised everyone with four nominations in technical categories such as Production Design and Makeup. Monica Barbaro’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress in A Complete Unknown marked a significant breakthrough for the film, while Sebastian Stan’s nomination for portraying Donald Trump in The Apprentice added an interesting twist. Fernanda Torres' performance in the Brazilian drama I’m Still Here earned the film a Best Picture nomination, further highlighting the diversity of this year’s selections.

The 2025 Oscar nominations reflect the unpredictable nature of the awards season. While some deserving artists were overlooked, others emerged as unexpected contenders. This year’s lineup showcases the richness and diversity of cinema, reminding us of the power of storytelling to surprise and inspire. It underscores the importance of recognizing talent across various genres and encouraging creativity in all forms of filmmaking.