It’s a yearly refrain where we all lament how much the big awards shows ignore horror and its inherent artistry. But, this year, it seems that horror is finally getting its flowers at the Academy Awards this year, with four genre titles securing nominations, and two of those titles sweeping in several categories. Maybe we’ll see a horror film take home an Oscar this year!
Of course, Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance dominated with five total Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture. Everything in the world right now seems dire and scary, but seeing a female-directed body-horror film receive a nomination for Best Picture is a silver lining if I’ve ever seen one. Plus, Demi Moore may just get an Oscar to sit right next to that Golden Globe she won earlier this month for her stunning turn at Elisabeth Sparkle.
The Substance received a rare five-star review from Dread Central, with managing editor Josh Korngut writing, “If anything displayed in this film somehow outshines Moore, it’s the outstanding direction and writing wielded by the visionary Coralie Fargeat … the only reason either woman will be ignored this award season is the industry’s shallow disregard for genre.”
Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu also scooped up a few nominations, all in technical categories. The production design, costume design, and makeup work were all stunning, so to see those teams acknowledged for their work on creating this Gothic world is another shining moment in a dark year. Cinematographer Jarin Blaschke (who previously lensed The Northman, The Lighthouse, and The VVitch) also got a nod for his gorgeous work capturing Eggers’ vampiric fantasy.
In his review of the film, Korngut wrote, “Ultimately, Nosferatu is Eggers’ finest work to date. It is an accessible gothic cornucopia, offering something for everyone: the hardcore horror fans who revel in the darkest corners of cinema and the casual admirers of dark art looking to push their limits. It may not break the mold of gothic horror, but it polishes it to a gleaming, dark-as-night shine.”
Check out the full list of horror Oscar nominations below:
The Substance
- Best Picture
- Directing
- Actress In A Leading Role
- Writing (Original Screenplay)
- Makeup and Hairstyling
Nosferatu
- Cinematography
- Costume Design
- Makeup and Hairstyling
- Production Design
Alien: Romulus
The Girl With The Needle
If you haven’t seen Magnus von Horn‘s The Girl With The Needle yet, add it to your watchlist. It’s a harrowing true crime story about Poland immediately post-World War I and what it meant to exist as a woman during that time. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a crucial one, especially at a time when bodily autonomy is more precarious than ever.
The 2025 Academy Awards take place on March 2, 2025, in Hollywood.
What do you think of these nominations? Who do you hope will win? Let us know over on BlueSky, X, or Instagram @DreadCentral.
Categorized:News
