The announcement of the 98th Academy Awards nominations on March 2 at the Dolby Theater, hosted by Conan O’Brien, has sparked significant debate across Hollywood. Among the many discussions, the omission of Jesse Plemons for Best Actor in Bugonia—and the reaction from his wife and co-star Kirsten Dunst—has attracted intense attention, especially regarding the actress’s public response to the snub.
Noteworthy Exclusions and Stakes for Bugonia
While the season brought recognition to some historic achievements, several performances failed to secure Oscar nominations. Notably absent were Paul Mescal for Best Supporting Actor in Hamnet, and Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for their roles in Wicked: For Good. The most personal and talked-about omission was Jesse Plemons, widely seen as a strong contender for Best Actor due to his role in Bugonia.
Despite this, Bugonia received notable nods in key categories such as Best Picture, Best Original Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay, alongside a Best Actress nomination for Emma Stone. Among the field of Best Actor hopefuls were Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.
Kirsten Dunst’s Public Defense of Jesse Plemons
Following the snub of her husband, Kirsten Dunst shared her support in various ways on social media. She reposted a striking Instagram Story from comedian and Bugonia castmate Stavros Halkias. The story featured Halkias with a stern expression as a photoshopped hand pointed a gun at the camera, captioned:
“[M]e to everyone who didn’t nominate Jesse Plemmons [sic] for best actor tho.”
This direct yet humorous post was the first sign of Dunst’s vocal reaction to the nomination results.
Furthering her stance, Dunst shared a clip from the film podcast The Bluff Council, where co-host Ev Durán praised Plemons’ work while critiquing Chalamet’s performance in Marty Supreme. The comparison ignited much debate online, not because of the admiration for Plemons but due to the way other nominees were viewed in contrast.
“Jesse Plemons gives one of the greatest performances of all time. Jesse Plemons in this film gives Daniel Day-Lewis, Sidney Poitier, transcendent level performance that I worry is being completely overlooked for f**king Chalamet’s Marty Supreme, which was a very good performance, but wasn’t…what Plemons does in this movie is beyond.”
Durán continued his acclaim by emphasizing Plemons’ craft:
“He so fully transforms into a different person, and plays every emotion so subtly and brilliantly, without ever, like, acting. I cannot heap enough praise on it.”
The Story and Context Behind Bugonia
Bugonia is a disturbing psychological thriller directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who co-starred previously with Plemons in The Power of the Dog. The film is an English-language adaptation of Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 South Korean movie Save the Green Planet! and centers on Teddy Gatz, played by Plemons. Gatz is a mentally unstable beekeeper and conspiracy theorist who kidnaps a corporate CEO, portrayed by Emma Stone, believing the executive to be an alien threatening humanity.
Known for its unconventional narrative and unsettling themes, the film’s distinct tone may explain part of the complicated reception it has received during award season. Dunst herself had expressed enthusiasm for Plemons’ role well before the nominations, sharing promotional stills on her Instagram in early January.
Mixed Fan Reactions to Dunst’s Responses
Dunst’s public backing of Plemons has divided fans and viewers alike. Some criticize her for reposting content that seems to diminish other nominees’ achievements, finding this approach disappointing. Others defend her actions, saying that standing by one’s spouse after a high-profile snub is understandable and expected in the competitive environment of awards season.
The discussions sparked by her posts reflect a broader debate on how artists show support when emotions run high during awards contention, and where the line between advocacy and comparison should be drawn.
Jesse Plemons’ Ongoing Recognition and Future Projects
Although missing the Oscar nomination for Best Actor, Jesse Plemons has maintained considerable acclaim throughout this awards cycle, receiving nods from the Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globes, and Astra Awards. This sustained recognition highlights the impact of his performance in Bugonia despite the Academy’s oversight.
Looking forward, Plemons will appear as a young Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for release on November 20, 2026. He is also involved in an upcoming untitled Alejandro G. Iñárritu film starring Tom Cruise.
Kirsten Dunst’s Continued Career Ventures
Kirsten Dunst is preparing for prominent roles as well, joining Ruben Östlund’s The Entertainment System Is Down and confirming her participation in a fifth collaboration with director Sofia Coppola. Her active work reflects her ongoing prominence in the film industry amid the current awards season turmoil.
The Broader Implications of the Debate Surrounding the Snub
As the Oscars draw nearer, the conversation sparked by Jesse Plemons’ omission and Kirsten Dunst’s outspoken reaction illustrates the complexities and passions involved in awards recognition. This controversy amplifies questions about how support for artists intersects with public critique and how personal loyalties influence the tone of award season discussions.
With powerful performances from all nominees and diverse films competing, the 2026 Oscars promise intensified scrutiny not only of those nominated but also of those who remain unacknowledged, keeping audiences and industry observers engaged and divided.
She has totally right for that. Jesse Plemons was peak acting in Bugonia. pic.twitter.com/ZKZTeEgIla
— endersnapshots (@endersnapshots) January 23, 2026
His performance in Bugonia wasn't anything special or Best Actor worthy.
🤷🏻♂️
— 🥊 Great Chef Boxing 🥡 (@GreatChefBoxing) January 24, 2026
He was amazing in it. He's an incredible actor.
— stephanie KAP🦁 (@KingAriPress) January 24, 2026
Definitely thought his performance was WAY more impressive than Emma's. I didn't think hers was really anything special honestly?? He blew me away
— sn (@snuuugiee) January 24, 2026
I am also frustrated because I lost money on this
— Questopher (@coyotesque) January 24, 2026
There was nothing outstanding about his performance in Bugonia, and it didn’t deserve a Best Actor award.
— scarlett.zen (@scarlettzen1) January 24, 2026
Temu Matt Damon ? pic.twitter.com/cRsHDBSDGG
— Good Karma & Coffee☕️🐕 (@SteveCote1974) January 24, 2026
I don’t blame her. A couple of the nominees this year, well, it’s very clear, they were nominated for who they know (Lookin’ you Kate Hudson!)
— Starts with J (@JLa2685) January 24, 2026
Oscars are such BS. He carried the entire movie and not even best supporting actor?
— A.H. Parnassus III (Crush your enemies!) (@KaiserSoeZei) January 24, 2026
I saw d film & Jesse’s performance is outstanding, overwhelming & magnificent—one of his best.The fact that he wasn’t nominated speaks volumes abt d “shady dealings” within d org. And yes,indeed,Marty Supreme falls far short of the standards that once defined d prestigious Oscars
— Paola 🌻 #SussexSquad 🍀#AsEver 🌺 #FuchsiaSquad🩷 (@PaolaCastro1703) January 24, 2026
He was amazing in that film so she's right. The Academy sometimes gives Oscars like two years later for a performance that's a little less stellar. So they can still have the party in a couple of years when he gets it and everyone knows it's secretly also a Bugonia award.
— Eminence Blonde (@millerlaurac18) January 24, 2026
There is not a doubt in my mind Plemons will have an Academy Award before the end of this decade. He’s one of the best and most consistent out there.
— dalton (@ElbowOnFire) January 24, 2026
