In a remarkable turn of events, Anora has emerged as one of the standout thriller films of 2024, capturing multiple awards at this year’s Oscars. Sean Baker triumphed with four notable Oscars for his exceptional skills in editing, writing, directing, and co-producing, while Mikey Madison’s outstanding performance earned her a fifth Oscar in the Best Actress category. Madison’s competition included Demi Moore, recognized for her work in another gripping thriller, The Substance, released the previous year. Although 2024 may not have been a record-breaking year for thrillers, the genre shone brightly through a handful of nominees that collectively garnered numerous accolades.
Amidst the celebrated works, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga stands out as a 2024 misstep that, despite its struggles, has the potential to cultivate a cult following in the future. Few sci-fi films have achieved the same level of acclaim at the Oscars as Mad Max: Fury Road. Unfortunately, the prequel received a much less favorable reception from critics and the box office alike. Chris Hemsworth’s performance went largely unnoticed and certainly warranted at least a nomination. While Anatomy of a Fall was celebrated as a nearly flawless legal drama, it’s disheartening that many exceptional performances in the thriller genre have been overlooked by the Academy over the years.
10 Emily Blunt – Sicario (2015)
As Kate Macer
It took until her appearance in a Christopher Nolan film for Emily Blunt to finally receive an Academy nomination. Throughout her illustrious career, she has delivered a range of unforgettable performances in films like The Devil Wears Prada, My Summer of Love, and The Girl on the Train. Despite the widespread recognition of her talent, especially in horror films like A Quiet Place, the Academy has not favored performances in this genre. Nonetheless, her riveting role in Denis Villeneuve’s Sicario is one of the most glaring omissions.
Consistently overlooked at the Oscars, performances in Villeneuve’s films receive scant recognition. Although Blunt’s work in Sicario earned her praise from SAG-AFTRA, BAFTA, and Golden Globe nominations, the Academy shockingly ignored her portrayal of an idealistic FBI agent grappling with moral dilemmas amidst chaos. Her depiction of emotional struggle deserves much greater acknowledgment.
9 Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler (2014)
As Lou Bloom
It’s remarkable and disappointing that Jake Gyllenhaal has not yet secured an Academy Award considering his impressive body of work. Only his role in Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain received such recognition, while his memorable performances in titles like Donnie Darko, Zodiac, Prisoners, Enemy, Demolition, Southpaw, and Stronger have been met with silence from the Academy. Among the most astonishing snubs is his role in Nightcrawler.
Despite an impressive awards season that included BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and Golden Globe accolades, Gyllenhaal was not nominated for an Oscar for Nightcrawler. He plays Lou Bloom, a driven news reporter whose obsessive ambition leads him down a dark path. This film, embodying thrilling and almost horror-like tension, showcases Gyllenhaal’s nuanced evolution from a seemingly benign character to a chilling psychopath, marking one of his career-defining performances.
8 Jeon Jong-seo – Burning (2018)
As Shin Hae-mi
Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story Barn Burning, Lee Chang-dong’s Burning is heralded as one of the finest thrillers of the 2010s. This slow-burn narrative crafts a tense atmosphere as it follows Lee Jong-su, whose mundane life is disrupted by an old acquaintance and a mysterious new friend with peculiar proclivities.
Burning made history by becoming the first Korean film to be shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award in 2019, paving the way for the success of Parasite a year later. Competing for the coveted Palme d’Or in 2018, the film was lauded for its unsettling ambiance that lingers long after viewing. While all three lead actors received plenty of nominations, none received an Oscar nod, with Jeon Jong-seo’s precise performance capturing her character’s unease deserving acknowledgment from the Academy.
7 Adam Sandler – Uncut Gems (2019)
As Howard Ratner
The Academy has often overlooked comedic performances, making it unsurprising that Adam Sandler, primarily known for his comedic roles, has yet to receive an Oscar nomination. His remarkable range was notably displayed in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, a film that landed him a Golden Globe nomination, yet was disregarded by the Academy.
While Punch-Drunk Love showcases his comedic prowess, it is in Uncut Gems that Sandler delivers a performance that transcends genre expectations. As Howard Ratner, a jeweler entangled in a series of high-stakes deals, Sandler crafts an unforgettable portrayal that showcases his dramatic capabilities. It is a true testament to his versatility, and his omission from the Oscar nominations was a significant oversight in awards season.
6 Lupita Nyong’o – Us (2019)
As Adelaide/Red
Although Lupita Nyong’o has already won an Oscar for her debut performance in Twelve Years a Slave, her career trajectory has not taken the expected path, leading to fewer leading roles in recent years. With her involvement in franchises like Star Wars and Marvel’s Black Panther, her opportunities have been limited, and her roles often secondary.
Nyong’o’s work in horror films has been particularly noteworthy, especially in Us, where she plays two distinct characters—Adelaide and Red. Her portrayal is complex and deeply layered, warranting a second Oscar nomination and reflecting the emotional depth and range she brings to the project.
5 Song Kang-ho – Parasite (2019)
As Kim Ki-taek
Before Lee Chang-dong’s Burning marked a milestone for Korean cinema, Parasite broke boundaries at the 2020 Academy Awards, attaining nominations for both Best Foreign Language Film and Best Picture, ultimately winning both categories. Despite its remarkable achievements and multiple nominations, the film did not extend its recognition to the acting category.
Parasite explores the complex dynamics between a struggling family and a wealthy household, with Song Kang-ho delivering a powerful performance as Kim Ki-taek, the father. His embodiment of a character layered with tragic calmness makes a strong case for an Oscar nod amidst its resounding successes.
4 Jurnee Smollett – Eve’s Bayou (1997)
As Eve Batiste
The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite emerged in 2015 in response to the glaring lack of diversity among nominees, which has since evolved into an impactful activism movement. However, the challenges faced by the film industry in 1997 were even more pronounced, especially for an independent Southern gothic narrative featuring an entirely Black cast and crew.
Written and directed by Kasi Lemmons, Eve’s Bayou centers on a young girl’s coming-of-age journey marked by family secrets and emotional upheaval. Jurnee Smollett’s remarkable performance highlighted the array of talents typically celebrated by the Academy, making her snub a noteworthy topic in discussions about diversity and recognition in filmmaking.
3 Hugh Jackman – Prisoners (2013)
As Keller Dover
Despite boasting a wide array of commendable performances, Hugh Jackman has only secured a single Oscar nomination for his role in Les Misérables. In the thrilling drama Prisoners, released the same year, Jackman delivers a heart-wrenching performance that should have garnered significant attention.
The film tells the harrowing story of a father, Keller Dover, whose daughter goes missing, prompting him to take justice into his own hands. Jackman’s portrayal of an anguished father desperate to save his child exemplifies his capacity for dramatic range, yet he was strikingly absent from the nominee list, a snub that remains a puzzlement.
2 Pam Grier – Jackie Brown (1997)
As Jackie Brown
Pam Grier, a trailblazer in the blaxploitation genre, also faced significant snubs during her career. Her portrayal of Jackie Brown in Quentin Tarantino’s adaptation earned critical acclaim yet failed to secure her an Oscar nomination in a year dominated by various contenders.
As America’s first female action hero, Grier’s performance showcases her ability to navigate complex narratives and emotional depth, rendering her snub not only disappointing but a blemish on the Academy’s recognition history.
1 James McAvoy – Split (2016)
As Kevin
James McAvoy garnered acclaim for his enthralling performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller Split, in which he displays an extraordinary range as a character with dissociative identity disorder. This psychological thriller captures the suspenseful journey of Casey, a girl taken hostage by Kevin, who has diverse and conflicting personalities.
McAvoy’s ability to seamlessly transition among 23 distinct personalities highlights his exceptional acting talent, making his performance one of the most remarkable in the thriller genre. Given the complexity and intensity of his portrayal, it is a significant oversight that he was not recognized by the Academy.