While it’s easy to bring up movies, performances, and work by the crew that deserved the accolades, it’s also hard to replace what actually received nominations. Even so, these actors, directors, producers, and more should’ve been in the conversation for these categories.
On The Rocks – Best Supporting Actor
On the Rocks is a relatively lesser-known film that was released straight to Apple TV+. However, that didn’t stop it from having a ton of talent involved, both in front of and behind the camera.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, On the Rocks follows Laura (Rashida Jones) and her father Felix Keane (Bill Murray), as they investigate their suspicions about Laura’s husband’s infidelity. While everyone in the cast is strong, Murray is the one who stands out.
It’s not often that comedies get rewarded with Oscar noms, yet it happens in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories more often than any other. Murray is fantastic as Felix and he was even rewarded with a Golden Globe nomination, so an Oscar nod wasn’t out of the question.
The Invisible Man – Best Actress
Between her work on Mad Men and The Handmaid’s Tale, there’s no doubt that Elisabeth Moss will go down as one of the greatest TV actors in history. However, that doesn’t mean that her movie roles should be forgotten, even if the Academy didn’t look her way when it came to the Best Actress race among 2020 films.
Moss delivered some of the finest work of her career in The Invisible Man. The Oscars ignoring horror movies is nothing new, but this one didn’t make much sense. She has to carry the vast majority of the film on her own against an unseen entity, meaning its success relies on her performance.
Considering the positive reviews for the film, it’s clear that Moss’ performance was more than good enough. She received accolades from various critics’ associations and won the Saturn Award for Best Actress, but she deserved so much more.
The Assistant – Best Actress
Along the same lines as Elisabeth Moss, Julia Garner is more known for her stellar performances on the small screen. She won multiple Emmy Awards for her role as Ruth Langmore on Netflix’s hit series Ozark. Her film career has taken off now, as well, thanks to Weapons and Fantastic Four: The First Steps.
However, the best performance by Garner in a movie is likely from the little-known project, The Assistant. The simple story centers on her job as an assistant at a film production company, as she comes to learn more and more about the insidious abuse dished out by those above her.
It’s somewhat understandable that The Assistant was shut out because it was released so long before Oscars season. That said, there’s no denying the performance of Garner, who earned a nod at the Independent Spirit Awards. It feels like an Oscar is likely somewhere in her future.
Possessor – Best Makeup & Hairstyling
One of the most intriguing movies from the year 2020 was Possessor. One of the many projects to fly under the radar because of the pandemic, Possessor deserved much more acclaim and should’ve been an easy nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The premise of Possessor, directed by Brandon Cronenberg, follows an assassin who can possess the bodies of others and use them to commit her killings. She ultimately becomes entangled in a vicious fight for control over the body of her latest possession.
The film sits at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and while many aspects, from the director’s vision to the plot, were praised, the makeup was stellar. All you need to do is watch one or two scenes and you’ll understand why. It also had an argument for Best Original Score as well.
Palm Springs – Best Original Screenplay
Palm Springs made history when it premiered to glowing reviews at the Sundance Film Festival and then sold to Hulu for a record total. The movie follows two people who are trapped in a time loop at a wedding and fall in love with each other during this harrowing situation.
Strong reviews continued for the film, making it one of the most unique and best modern romantic comedies. Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg are fantastic as the leads, while Palm Springs was a hit at various award shows, including scoring two major Golden Globe nominations.
It was easier there because comedy is separated from dramas, so for it to get Oscar love, it needed to be in the Best Original Screenplay category. The clever reinvention of the time loop formula should’ve been rewarded, especially over more traditional screenplays like The Trial of the Chicago 7.
The Vast Of Night – Best Director
Understandably, there was really no shot for The Vast of Night to receive a nomination at the Academy Awards. It was simply far too small a film to really make an impact and remains a hidden gem.
The Vast of Night is set in a small town in 1950s New Mexico as two switchboard operators discover a signal that could be extraterrestrial in origin. That sets the tone for a masterfully crafted sci-fi thriller.
Despite not being well known, the work of Andrew Patterson in his directorial debut shouldn’t be overlooked. He directs this with such confidence and there’s a particular one-shot that takes you through the entire town that should go down as the stuff of legend.
Athlete A – Best Documentary
The Best Documentary category at the Oscars is one that far too many people tend to overlook. However, there are often a handful of documentaries that cover the kind of topics that everyone seems to be talking about.
That was the case with Athlete A, which covered the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse scandal. Given the popularity of the sport and its athletes, this was a documentary that had the world talking and was met with rave reviews, including a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Unfortunately, Athlete A was completely left out when it came to the Best Documentary category. Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk’s look at the subject is powerful and should have been nominated. It also should’ve been one of the favorites to take home the trophy.
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things – Best Actress & Best Original Screenplay
Right now, there is no name in acting on a hotter run heading into the Academy Awards than Jessie Buckley. While most acting categories feel somewhat wide open, she has swept the Best Actress category for her work in Hamnet.
Great performances aren’t new for Buckley, who is incredible in I’m Thinking of Ending Things. She carries this film as “Young Woman” and should’ve gotten her first bit of Oscar buzz here.
However, it feels like leaving Charlie Kaufman out of the Best Original Screenplay category was even more of an oversight. The writer has been nominated three times in the past, winning once, and his script here was another major success.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always – Best Actress, Best Director, & Best Original Screenplay
Never Rarely Sometimes Always was shut out at the Oscars and that honestly makes no sense. The movie tells the story of a teen who travels to New York with her friend to get an abortion since it isn’t legal in her home state without her parents’ consent.
Eliza Hittman wrote and directed this project and does so well in both roles that she should’ve been nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Her work is that good.
There’s also Sidney Flanigan, who makes her feature acting debut in Never Rarely Sometimes Always. She was good enough to be nominated, and honestly, good enough to be a serious contender to win it all. Her performance in one scene near the end during her pre-abortion questionnaire is remarkable.