Experts weigh in on Oscar nominations

With the Oscar nominations sending shockwaves across the film community, Western Sydney University experts weigh in on the announcement.

Dr Adam Daniel, School of Humanities and Communication Arts

“This year’s Oscar nominations were marked by historic highs and a few notable surprises. At the forefront was Sinners dominating with a record breaking 16 nominations. Ryan Coogler’s genre-blending vampire film has surpassed all previous records for most nominations, with recognition in major categories such as Best Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay, along with multiple acting nods.”

“Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another secured 13 nominations and remains widely regarded by critics and industry watchers as the frontrunner in the Best Picture and Directing categories.

“While some films soared, there were some notable surprises and snubs. F1's nomination for Best Picture was seen as a surprise boon for the crowd-pleasing motor racing drama, while the much-anticipated musical spectacle Wicked: For Good failed to earn a single nomination despite award season campaigning from its stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

“Amid these headline moments, there was also cause for celebration for Australian talent. Both Jacob Elordi and Rose Byrne earned their first ever Oscar nominations, with Elordi nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Frankenstein and Byrne up for Best Actress for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. Their breakthrough nominations showcase a proud moment for Australian performers on cinema’s biggest stage.”

A film and media studies PhD and Associate Lecturer at Western Sydney University, Adam completed his Masters in Screenwriting at Australian Film Television and Radio School in 2020. He is the author of the book ‘Affective Intensities and Evolving Horror Forms: From Found Footage to Virtual Reality.' Alongside his academic work, Adam has produced a number of films in recent years, including the AACTA-nominated short film Mud Crab.

Dr Benjamin D. Muir, School of Humanities and Communication Arts

“What started as a confident Best Picture call for Sinners has turned into something far bigger — a record-breaking sixteen nominations. Bugonia was something of a dark horse among the Best Picture cohort, not because Yorgos Lanthimos is not a respected filmmaker but because this was the same year where somewhat easy-going flicks like F1 are dominating, with even Sinners itself being a little on the mindless fun side of things.”

“It is interesting to see the inclusion of Cameron's third Avatar flick, which broke a phenomenal number of box office records despite critical indifference. Arguably its threefold nomination speaks to a growing tridactyl divide between filmgoers, critics, and the broader filmmaking establishment itself.”

Benjamin D. Muir is a prize-winning writer, casual academic, teacher, researcher, musician, and producer. His novel, The McMillan Diaries, forthcoming from Vitagraph Publishing in 2026, was the recipient of the 2019 AAWP/UWAP Meniscus Chapter One Prize. His work has appeared in SBS Australia, Studio Stories via FBI Radio’s Or It Didn’t Happen, Antipodean Science Fiction, The Conversation, Affirmations: of the Modern and several anthologies. He holds a doctorate from Western Sydney University, where he teaches literature and creative writing. His thesis was on depictions of grief and trauma in Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves. In 2023, alongside Professor Anthony Uhlmann, Dr Bill Dunbar, and Augusta Supple, Benjamin co-founded Vitagraph Publishing and its journal, Written Off. He works voluntarily as assistant editor of the press.

For interviews, please contact media@westernsydney.edu.au.

ENDS.

23 January 2026
Photo credit: Rob Laughter via Unsplash
Media Unit