Friday, February 14, 2025

Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley’s Horror Film Poised to End 33-Year Best Picture Drought at 2025 Oscars!

Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are lighting up the awards circuit with their starring roles in the 2025 Best Picture nominee, The Substance, which has the potential to break a 33-year drought for horror films at the Oscars. The 97th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 2, 2025, could see The Substance shine brightly after Moore’s unexpected victory at the 2025 Golden Globes, where she won Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. This marks her first Oscar nomination for the film.

Co-starring Qualley, who garnered significant praise for her work in acclaimed films like Poor Things and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, has also earned recognition at the Golden Globes with a Supporting Actress nomination. While she did not receive an Oscar nod, her performance contributes to the film’s overall acclaim. The Substance is poised as a serious contender for five Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, alongside its Best Picture nomination.

Historically, the horror genre has struggled at the Academy Awards, with the last horror film to claim the Best Picture prize being The Silence of the Lambs in 1992. Only six horror films have been nominated in nearly a century, a list that includes classics like The Exorcist and Get Out. With The Substance now in contention, there is a possibility that this long-standing trend could shift, with audiences eagerly anticipating a potential victory for horror in 2025. The nomination signifies a monumental moment for the genre, affirming its place within the highest echelons of cinematic recognition.

The landscape for horror films has evolved significantly, largely due to independent studios like A24 and Neon, which have redefined horror narratives and aesthetics. Despite critical acclaim, films such as Hereditary and The Witch went unrecognized by the Academy, raising questions about the criteria for nominations. The fact that The Substance stands poised for recognition indicates a shifting paradigm and opens the door for more horror films to be considered for major awards in the future.

Some industry observers note that Nosferatu, one of the most anticipated films of 2024, was snubbed at the 2025 Oscars, receiving nominations only in technical categories. As the buzz continues around The Substance, its themes of Hollywood self-reflexivity and industry commentary may play a crucial role in its favor, reminiscent of successful past nominees like La La Land and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

As the season progresses, predictions regarding The Substance remain varied. While some outlets, including Variety, rank it as the ninth most likely contender for Best Picture, others place it slightly higher. Meanwhile, Moore stands out as the frontrunner for Best Actress, potentially being the first winner in this category for a horror film since Natalie Portman’s iconic performance in Black Swan. Although The Substance may not have its Silence of the Lambs moment, its nomination could have enduring effects on how horror is regarded as a serious contender in the film industry.

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