One of the most closely watched titles is Netflix’s animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” nominated for best animated feature and best original song. The film has already won major prizes at the Golden Globes and the Grammys, making it a leading Oscar contender. Its song nominee, “Golden,” was made with heavy participation from Korean producers and writers, including producer 24 (Seo Jeong-hun) and the songwriting team Idio. Korean-heritage artists Lee Jae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami are scheduled to perform a special stage on the day of the ceremony.
Also in the spotlight is “Bugonia,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and backed in production by CJ ENM. The film reinterprets the Korean movie “Save the Green Planet!” with a Hollywood sensibility and is nominated in four categories, including best picture and best actress for Emma Stone.
The best picture race is expected to pit two high-profile directors against each other. Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners: Sinners,” which leads the field with a record 16 nominations, gained momentum after winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for best ensemble. Challenging it is Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” which tackles refugee issues and racism. The film is seen as timely, with its themes intersecting with immigration policies under the second Trump administration, and is viewed as a strong draw for voters.
The best actor category is also crowded. Leonardo DiCaprio is nominated for “One Battle After Another” for what the article described as a manic performance, while Timothee Chalamet is in contention for “Marty Supreme” and could win his first best actor Oscar. Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners: Sinners”) and Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”) are also in the mix, leaving the outcome uncertain.
In best actress, Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”) and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”) are in a close contest, setting up a race likely to remain tight through the end of the ceremony.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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