In the wake of a recent controversy, the Oscar race has experienced an unprecedented shift. Over the past eleven days since the nominations were announced on January 23rd, the groundbreaking nomination of actress Karla Sofía Gascón has cast a shadow over the awards season. The film in which she starred, Emilia Pérez, distributed by Netflix, has also faced unforeseen challenges as a result of this scandal.

The repercussions of this situation have left many questioning which films stand to gain the most from these unexpected developments. One contender that seems well-positioned to benefit is Searchlight’s A Complete Unknown. This film has been gaining momentum and appears to align perfectly with the preferences of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, especially considering the preferential voting system used for Best Picture. Other notable contenders still in the running include Focus’ Conclave, A24’s The Brutalist, Universal’s Wicked, and Neon’s Anora. Each of these films brings its own strengths to the table, making the outcome highly unpredictable.

The current landscape is uncharted territory for the industry. Some award-giving bodies may still recognize achievements before the scandal broke, leading to potential surprises at events like the Critics Choice Awards and the PGA Awards. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how this will affect the final outcomes. In times of uncertainty, the resilience and adaptability of the film community shine through, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of integrity in the arts.