We are all familiar with the phrase “Oscar snubs”—specifically, how much it provokes reactions and a wide range of emotions. I am one of those people. Every year, I brace myself and say "Here comes the heartbreak". Unfortunately, very rarely am I 100% happy with the nominations. But hey, who am I? I’m just a cinephile who loves movies and loves it when the people behind those little cinematic gems get the recognition they deserve. But the Academy can’t make everyone happy.
There are many recurring factors behind these so-called snubs, but we won’t dive into that right now—that’s a conversation for another time. Here, I’ll focus only on highlighting the most soul-crushing snubs in recent memory… at least for me.
DISCLAIMER: This is based purely on my opinion.
Let’s get started.
Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers (2019)
She made it all the way to a SAG nomination but still couldn’t land an Oscar nod. Maybe the Academy still isn’t convinced that Lopez can be a legitimate, serious actress. And this isn’t the first time. Selena (1997) and Out of Sight (1998) are proof for anyone questioning the caliber of actress she can be.
The Entire Cast of Mass (2021)
Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Ann Dowd, and Reed Birney were criminally ignored by the Academy. Arguably the best ensemble of that year.
David Oyelowo – Selma (2014)
One could argue that almost the entire movie was snubbed, receiving only two nominations—Best Original Song (for which it won) and Best Picture. Capturing the essence of one of the most respected and important figures in American history (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) is no easy feat, yet Oyelowo’s commanding screen presence was the beating heart of this excellent film. Ignoring his gargantuan performance—along with Ava DuVernay’s direction—should be a federal crime. Recurring theme? Maybe.
Andrew Scott – All of Us Strangers (2023)
Calling it the best male acting performance of the year would be an understatement. This snub should be studied in universities. Scott delivers a masterclass in heartbreak, grief, and vulnerability with a reserved yet powerful performance.
Rebecca Hall – Director & Writer of Passing (2021)
Jumping from being an underappreciated actress to writing and directing one of the most profound and beautiful films of the decade should have been recognized and celebrated. Unfortunately, despite generating significant awards buzz and landing nominations at BAFTA and DGA, it wasn’t enough.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor – Origin (2023)
I am still baffled by how the marketing team and production company dropped the ball massively with this movie, especially regarding Ellis-Taylor’s performance. This is a star-making performance—one that carries the film with grace, beauty, compassion, empathy, and emotion. Truly, it's one of the most important films and performances in recent memory. And yet the Academy ignored it as well.
Toni Collette – Hereditary (2018)
Possibly a once-in-a-lifetime performance that left critics and audiences in awe. Undeniably a tour de force in horror cinema. Justice for horror films. This year, Demi Moore crossed that barrier by being nominated for Best Actress for the body horror film The Substance. Collette walked so Moore could run.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths (2024)
Winning the Best Actress trifecta at NYFCC, LAFCA, and NSFC—becoming the first woman of color to do so—should have secured her an Academy Award nomination. Instead, we were robbed of the chance to reward greatness at its best. Jean-Baptiste delivers the most complex female performance of the year—and arguably the best performance by any actor. Recurring theme? You tell me.
Clarence Maclin – Sing Sing (2024)
The most important film of the decade features one of the best performances by any actor in 2024. Not only is this his film debut, but he also plays a version of himself, bringing depth and a commanding screen presence to the role. His performance deeply moved me.
If you need proof, rent this movie on VOD, sit down, and witness one of the most beautiful films of the year—and my personal favorite. You won’t regret it.
Danielle Deadwyler – Till (2022)
When I think of performances that rarely leave my mind and continue to resonate, Deadwyler’s in Till is at the top of the list. It is one of the most heartbreaking performances I have ever seen and left me shaken. I’ve only seen this tragic film once, yet it will never leave me. Despite making the shortlist for almost every critics’ circle and earning nominations at BAFTA, Critics' Choice, and SAG, Deadwyler was criminally snubbed at the Oscars.
Any recurring theme? Is it a race issue? A lack of marketing and exposure? A lack of support from audiences hesitant to watch films like this? Maybe all of the above.
The Bigger Picture:
It is important to remember that in 97 years—yes, 97 years—only two women of color have won the Oscar for Best Actress: Halle Berry and Michelle Yeoh. That is not an opinion. That is a fact.
There is still a lot of work to do, but in the meantime, let’s celebrate these performances and raise a glass to all of them.
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