As awards season heats up, here are a dozen movies that could win big and how they’ll win.
Posted on November 2, 2024
Anora, Conclave and September 5th
Courtesy Neon; Philippe Antonello/Focus Features; Jürgen Olczyk/Paramount Pictures
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‘Anora’
Image source: provided by Neon
What happens: An escort strikes a deal with the son of an oligarch. Then the gangsters got involved.
Reasons to believe: Three of the past four Palme d’Or winners have won Best Film Editing for “Neon,” one of whom won (parasites).
Reasons for doubt: Could independent Baker and his outlandish vision go too far for some voters? -
“Blitzkrieg”
Photo credit: Parisa Taghizadeh/Apple TV+
What happens: In London during the Blitz, a single mother is separated from her son.
have reason to believe: Era Credibility vs. Past Oscar Darling Steve McQueen.
Reasons for doubt: Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk, 1917: Today’s world war movies tend to do poorly. -
“fauvism”
Image source: provided by A24
What happens: An architect who fled the Holocaust travels to America to live an epic life.
Reasons to believe: The entire view lasted for more than three hours.
Reasons for doubt: The entire view lasted for more than three hours. -
“Completely unknown”
Image source: Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
What happens: Bob Dylan plugs in the power in Newport and everyone needs shelter from the storm.
Reasons to believe: After scaling forward Ford v Ferrari, Mangold seeks the finish line. Also, Timothée Chalamet is an icon.
Reasons for doubt: Are the tensions between rock and ballads high enough by 2024? -
“Secret Meeting”
Photo credit: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features
What happens: The pope dies and everyone wants the big job.
Reasons to believe: Serious costumes bring delicious fun.
Reasons for doubt: Is that almost enough? There is also a divisive ending. -
“Dune: Part 2”
Image source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
What happens: Paul Atreides forms new alliances and wages new wars for more adventures.
Reasons to believe: A franchise and director that has been building momentum for years.
Reasons for doubt: Epic movies from a distant planet and March releases are often forgotten. -
“Emilia Perez”
Image source: Page 114/WHY NOT MADE/PATHÉ FILMS/FRANCE 2 CINÉMA/NETFLIX
What happens: Typical Spanish cartel thriller/trans themed family drama with a musical twist.
Reasons to believe: Pure audacity, relevant topicality.
Reasons for doubt: Are there still voters who never watch Netflix? -
“Gladiator II”
Photo credit: Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures
What happens: The adult Lucius returned to Rome to regain glory for his people.
Reasons to believe: Nostalgic…Roman period and epic era of studio history.
Reasons for doubt: “Didn’t we commemorate this movie in 2001?” -
“Seeds of the Sacred Fig”
Image source: provided by Neon
What happens: In repressive Iran, a family is torn apart by politics.
Reasons to believe: Geopolitical resonance and a director who fled Iran with his films.
Reasons for doubt: The best ones don’t usually feature feature-length foreign-language dramas set halfway around the world. -
“September 5th”
Photo credit: Jürgen Olczyk/Paramount Pictures
What happens: A day in the ABC News control room in Munich during the 1972 Olympics.
Reasons to believe: A Sorkinian sense of urgency about big media topics.
Reasons for doubt: Without so many crews and filmmakers known to voters, global independent cinema could struggle. Add to this the worrying Israeli-Palestinian context. -
‘evil’
Image source: Provided by Universal Pictures
What happens: The witches Elphaba and Glinda begin their journey.
Reasons to believe: Yeah cat or is chicago?
Reasons for doubt: Yeah chicago or is cat? -
“Wild Robot”
Image Credit: Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation
What happens: Robot Rhodes lands on Animal Island and learns how to feel.
Reasons to believe: A touching and approachable artificial intelligence movie. And, it’s already very popular.
Reasons for doubt: Only three animated films have ever been nominated; none won.This story appears in the October 30 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
