The red carpets have been unrolled, the golden statues polished to perfection—Hollywood is on the brink of another dazzling spectacle. The 97th Academy Awards, the grand cathedral of cinema, is ready to crown this year’s cinematic royalty at the illustrious Dolby Theatre. But beneath the shimmering gowns and teary acceptance speeches, this year’s Oscars carries a distinct air of tension, controversy, and undeniable artistry.
From spine-chilling horror to sweeping historical epics, the nominees this year are a kaleidoscope of storytelling brilliance. Netflix’s Emilia Pérez, a musical thriller, leads the pack with 13 nominations, though not without baggage—its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, finds herself at the center of a social media firestorm. Meanwhile, The Brutalist, Conclave, and Wicked bring their own fierce campaigns to the stage, promising an unpredictable showdown.
The battle for Best Picture is a mosaic of genres. Dune: Part Two looks to dominate with its breathtaking sci-fi spectacle, while A Complete Unknown channels the mystique of musical biopics. The Substance dares to push boundaries with its body-horror narrative, and Nickel Boys delivers a gut-punch of historical reckoning.
In the acting categories, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) and Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) go head-to-head for Best Actor, while Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) and Demi Moore (The Substance) lead the Best Actress race. But with whispers of upsets and surprise wins looming, no one’s Oscar dreams are safe just yet.
Beyond the glitz, the Oscars remain a battlefield of artistry, reputation, and, at times, controversy. Will Netflix’s controversial frontrunner prevail, or will an unexpected underdog steal the night? One thing is certain—the cameras are rolling, and the world is watching.
