Uncovering the Unusual: What Makes the 2025 Oscar Best Picture Nominees Stand Out?

This year’s Oscar nominees for Best Picture are all delightfully strange. Each film has its own unique vibe, featuring characters who dive into the weird and wonderful. Get ready for a wild ride!

Take one film where Demi Moore introduces us to “The Substance.” It’s a quirky tale that flips the fairy tale genre on its head as characters deal with bizarre situations. I saw this with a packed crowd, and we couldn’t help but laugh, scream, and occasionally cringe together.

Another standout is “Anora.” Here, the lead character is a Brooklyn stripper who ends up marrying a clueless Russian. Things get complicated, especially when his powerful father sends a goon squad after her for an annulment. It’s a strange mix of absurdity and intimacy, making you feel like you’re peeking into someone’s private chaos.

Don’t miss “I’m Still Here,” a dark melodrama about a sugarless Brazilian dictatorship, which contrasts sharply with the sugary sounds of “Wicked,” an American musical on dictatorship. Then there’s “Conclave,” a nail-biter about the selection of a pope that plays out like a prison film, loaded with tension and clashes reminiscent of high school drama.

“Emilia Pérez” was initially a contender, with a musical storyline that challenges traditional rhythms. It features a cartel boss who sees the character’s trans identity as something saintly, but controversy surrounding the lead’s past comments shifted the spotlight away from it.

Now, let’s talk about “Dune: Part Two.” This visually stunning film might make you feel passive because of its high production value. Yet, it’s packed with eccentric characters. Stellan Skarsgard plays a baron with strange tastes in gladiators, and Timothée Chalamet embodies a Chosen One caught in a deadly struggle over spice—yes, that’s a real plot point. Think of it as a mix of “Lawry’s of Arabia” and “Lost in Spice.” Plus, Timothée appears again in “A Complete Unknown,” where he reimagines Bob Dylan in a way that’s both intriguing and somewhat typical.

This year’s crop of nominees showcases the unusual in storytelling, blending the personal with the absurd. Each film pulls you into its unique world, making for an exciting Oscar season.

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