Best Picture: Ranking Every Oscar Nominee
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
We have finally reached the final category of these Academy Award rankings, and it’s the big one. It’s Best Picture, folks. What is the (supposed) best film of 2022? Well, my personal selection isn’t even nominated here (but more whining about that in a minute), but we can have a look at what nominees we have been blessed with. Honestly? I don’t hate any of the nominated films, although there are a handful that I could personally easily replace with other motion pictures that I much prefer. Well, let’s not waste any more time. Actually… let’s. Every other ranking I’ve done has had a film I’ve considered the biggest snub of the category: a nominee that should have made the final five. Well, my annual tradition here on Films Fatale is to stretch this final category out quite a bit by having two sub lists. The first one contains films that were shut out entirely by the Academy Awards, and the second contains nominated films that I personally feel like could have made the Best Picture roster (note: they have to have two or more nominations and, in my eyes, be a good enough film to warrant being selected). Let’s get started.
FIVE FILMS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SHUT OUT BY THE ACADEMY AWARDS ENTIRELY
These five films aren’t necessarily ones that I love through and through, or that I feel are even among the best films of last year. I was expecting at least one or two nominations for them, though, and was shocked when I found out they had none. I’ll also toss in one film that I figured wouldn’t have gotten many nominations that I feel like absolutely deserved them. Let’s dive right in.
5. The Woman King
Possible Nominations: Best Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design
Look. I know The Woman King didn’t sit well with everybody, but this film didn’t get a single nomination; not for its incredible costumes; not for its fascinating sets; not even for Viola-fucking-Davis?? If films that are much more polarizing and/or worse in quality got some Academy love, I was fully expecting The Woman King — which even had some BAFTA attention, I might add — to get something here. Nope.
4. Till
Possible Nominations: Best Actress, Best Costume Design, Best Original Song
I may be bloating the capabilities that Till had with the Academy Awards, even though I personally find it quite well rounded and captivating. The main issue is that Danielle Deadwyler wasn’t nominated in a category she could have easily thrown a wrench into. If films that are far more full of Oscar baiting tendencies can get a nomination or two over the years, something that is far more sincere like Till could definitely have been nominated where it deserved the love.
3. The Menu
Possible Nominations: Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Actor
I personally feel like The Menu was slept on quite badly. I thought this satire had a lot going for it, including its rich aesthetics and Ralph Fiennes’ deliciously evil performance. Most importantly, I will not deal with the lack of attention this film’s screenplay got when it fully deserves to be discussed amongst the top scripts of last year. If Triangle of Sadness can be recognized despite — in my opinion — being far more sadistic and blunt, then something a teensy bit more playful (albeit in a cynical sense) like The Menu can make a splash here.
2. Saint Omer
Possible Nominations: Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best International Feature Film, Best Original Screenplay
I didn’t expect Saint Omer to get many — or any — nominations outside of being a surprise pick for Best International Feature Film, but this courtroom drama fully deserves the love. I feel like a different year, one where Saint Omer would appear on more radars, would have not had these same results. It could have been one of the most discussed international films of the year (as it should have been). I feel like Saint Omer will be discussed for years to come by those that slowly discover it, even if it didn’t get its dues now.
1. Decision to Leave
Possible Nominations: Best International Feature Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score
The biggest offence is this right here. Decision to Leave didn’t get a single nomination. Not one. It was easily one of the best films of 2022. I thought a Best International Feature Film nomination was a lock; Decision to Leave was easily the frontrunner for the award at one point a few months ago. Yet here we are: an international film that could have wound up with additional nominations for its direction, cinematography, screenplay, and even its score, and yet it didn’t even get the nomination it was destined to receive. The biggest snub of the year goes to Decision to Leave not getting a single nomination, especially in the International Feature Film category: that’s just fucking bonkers.
F̶i̶v̶e̶ Three FILMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A BEST PICTURE NOMINEE
I usually try to include five films in this category, but the newish rule — that Best Picture must be ten films and not between six to ten — has made it a little difficult to find that many. Films that accumulate numerous nominations usually make it in the final ten slots. There’s also the concern that some films just don’t deserve a Best Picture nod despite their amount of nominations. I’m talking about Babylon (which, admittedly, I’m considering revisiting, since I feel like I’m missing something, but it sure isn’t a Best Picture nominee) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (which deserved the nominations it got, but is not strong enough to be Best Picture material). The kinds of films I thought I’d be discussing here (Women Talking and Triangle of Sadness) actually did get nominated for Best Picture. I also don’t want to use this opportunity to discuss films that should be nominated for Best Picture when they don’t have the (usual) amount of nominations to back them up (like Aftersun should actually win Best Picture, in my opinion). I want to use this opportunity to go by the Academy’s typical standards: films that got two or more nominations and could have wound up in the Best Picture race. I also wanted to stick with what the Academy was celebrating with numerous nominations, not my own personal picks. Let’s see our measly results this year.
3. The Batman
Nominations: Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Makeup and Hairstyling
If action films like Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick can make it to the Best Picture category, then The Batman could have as well. In my opinion, this film would have made it if it was released later in the year like its competitors. Remember the splash this film made earlier in 2022? It still accumulated a few nominations for technical categories, but I feel like it would have garnered some love maybe for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and more; it would easily rank up what the other two action-based Best Picture candidates had.
2. Living
Nominations: Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay
Only two nominations here, but, again, I felt strapped with my options. Living may have resonated more had it been released a little earlier and made its rounds with viewers. I’ve seen mediocre films garner more attention and nominations, so it only makes sense that Living could have (I also feel like it was really close to being nominated for Best Picture as well, and the extra awareness could have clinched that nomination).
1. The Whale
Nominations: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Makeup and Hairstyling
This film got three nominations, and it is almost guaranteed to win one (for Makeup and Hairstyling). I also feel like the heat towards the film has settled quite a bit and those that love the film are staring to be heard. Now that The Whale is available on demand, I feel sure that it will continue to resonate. Had this shift happened earlier, I feel like The Whale would have made it to the Best Picture slot and perhaps be considered for a few other categories. It isn’t perfect, but I personally think The Whale will age better than it was initially received, and maybe people in the future will be wondering why it wasn’t nominated for Best Picture (if they aren’t already).
FINALLY, HERE ARE YOUR NOMINEES FOR BEST PICTURE, RANKED FROM WORST TO BEST
I will mainly discuss these films and their Academy Awards consideration. If you want to know more about how I feel about them personally, feel free to read the reviews provided for each film.
10. Elvis
This film felt like a three hour trailer to another film, but I still found that Elvis was strong where it was recognized; with its acting, production, and theatrics. Consider that each category can only be voted on by their respective industry members, and Best Picture is voted on by all of the Academy’s members. Elvis deserved to be nominated for its technical achievements, and Austin Butler — who may win Best Actor — was always a lock, so it makes sense that Elvis accumulated enough Academy love to be nominated for the top prize. I still think it’s the weakest nominee of the ten, but I get why it’s here, and it isn’t a terrible film by any means.
9. Avatar: The Way of Water
If this wasn’t Avatar-based or directed by James Cameron, I wonder if The Way of Water would have made it here. Still, it was destined to be recognized for its technical prowess, of which it deserves. Had it been released in the summer, I don’t think this film would maintain the staying power to be considered for Best Picture (please don’t murder me). I do think that the game-changing effects and underwater technology warrant love, and in this way it truly is the “best picture” in its own right: not many filmmakers can claim that they’ve revolutionized how films are made on a technical level like Cameron can.
8. Top Gun: Maverick
I find Top Gun: Maverick’s reliance on nostalgia — particularly in its story — quite much, but it also does greatly succeed as a spectacle, and I think that’s what won so many Academy members over. The point I made about Avatar: The Way of Water applies here: remember that Maverick has had staying power since the blockbuster season of 2022. It rightfully accumulated a number of nominations for its technical achievements, and somehow got a nomination for its screenplay (eh). Never would I have predicted that a Top Gun sequel would have been honoured for Best Picture, nor that it would make sense to. It isn’t one of my own personal favourite films of the year, but I get how it works in the context of what a response it has garnered.
7. All Quiet on the Western Front
While I haven’t felt quite as strongly about this recent adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front as everyone else has, I still think it’s a great film. It gained quite a few nominations outside of Best International Feature Film. The Academy has also been a little more chill with honouring non-English films for Best Picture the last ten years, and it only makes sense that All Quiet on the Western Front was this year’s international pick. It has clearly affected most viewers and industry personnel. Did you see how it did at the BAFTAs? It cleaned up (even for Best Film)! This film feels quite welcome here.
6. The Fabelmans
Ever since The Fabelmans won the People’s Choice Award at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, it was a guarantee that it would be nominated for Best Picture (a trend that has gone on for around a decade now). While it isn’t quite as powerful as it was towards the start of the awards season, The Fabelmans is still one of Steven Spielberg’s better films in recent memory (alongside West Side Story), and I think that’s usually enough to be considered by the Academy that loves him to bits and pieces. Well acted, highly personal, and the right kind of sentimental, The Fabelmans is a warm, straightforward drama that I think we all knew would wind up being nominated for Best Picture.
5. Triangle of Sadness
What I think was less expected than The Fabelmans is Ruben Östlund’s latest feature, Triangle of Sadness. This Palme d’Or winner is cruel, punishing, and incredibly cynical, but that makes it all the more fascinating that it did as well as it has with the Academy Awards. I was a teensy bit more critical of the film when I first reviewed it, but I’ve warmed up to it a little bit. Östlund has this ability to make audiences reexamine themselves in ways not many other filmmakers can. Maybe I’ll grow to not find it slightly overlong or glacial in its approach, because I love pretty much everything else about this razor-toothed satire.
4. Everything Everywhere All at Once
If you had asked me upon release if Everything Everywhere All at Once was going to be a frontrunner for Best Picture and an awards season darling, I’d say you were crazy. No disrespect to the film, which I do consider one of the best of last year. I just didn’t think awards shows would go for something this action packed, batshit insane and absurd, or authentically deep for a popular film. Here we are. We are weeks away, and this strange little film may actually go the distance and take home Best Picture. I’m not certain about it, but I have a hunch that Everything Everywhere All at Once is going to defy the odds, and I will like if it does. Compare it to other Best Picture winners and it will stand out: we need more winners that go against the grain.
Cameron Geiser’s review of Everything Everywhere All at Once
3. Women Talking
I recall shouting with surprise when Women Talking was the last nominee called for Best Picture, because I didn’t think it would pull off the (deserving) nod. While it should have garnered many more nominations (at least for acting, for crying out loud), I’m at least happy that the film is here, especially since it is one of the strongest nominees (in my opinion). The film was released to a ho-hum box office return which broke my heart, but I’m happy to see it get more attention after its Best Picture nomination. It needs to be seen, and Sarah Polley deserves her flowers once and for all.
2. The Banshees of Inisherin
Martin McDonagh’s latest feature is his best release to date. There was a time where I thought The Banshees of Inisherin would clean up shop here, especially if it did well at the BAFTAs (that wouldn’t be the case, given the surprise domination of All Quiet on the Western Front), but I feel like it can still do well. You never know. The Banshees of Inisherin can still have a chance of winning Best Picture here, even if it’s not set in stone anymore. It is a terrific blending of tragedy and dark comedy that excels at what it sets out to do: prove that there is malice even within harmony, and vice versa. There cannot be joy without knowing what sadness is. The Banshees of Inisherin is definitely one of the top films of 2022, and it would have been a crime if it wasn’t nominated here.
1. Tár
One of the only films I gave perfect scores to from 2022 (the others being Aftersun and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed), it shouldn’t be a shock that I’d place Tár first place here. I think it warranted every nomination it got (and it actually should have been recognized for more). Do I think Tár is going to win Best Picture? Unfortunately not, and I’m not oblivious to this fact. However, the question here is what I would rank first, and this is my answer: one of the strongest films of this decade so far. Tár is challenging, prestigious cinema that is untouchable in so many ways, from its artistic ambition and narrative brilliance to its acting masterclass from one Cate Blanchett. I’m happy at least one of my top rated films of 2022 wound up being nominated here.
Who I want to win: The next answer will be a long one, so let’s keep this one brief. Tár. Plain and simple.
Who I think will win: Alright. Let’s break this down and be dorks about this.
Typically (but not always), Best Picture winners win two or more other categories to solidify their win (the only time since 1952 that a Best Picture winner has only won one other award was when Spotlight won for its screenplay alone). I think it’s safe to say that Best Picture will be swayed by which of the following four films performs the best that night.
Everything Everywhere All at Once has the opportunity to win for direction, leading actress, supporting actress, supporting actor, original screenplay, film editing, original score, original song, and costume design. Ignoring the smaller categories (which wouldn’t hurt to win), if it wins for its screenplay, for Michelle Yeoh’s leading role, and/or for the Daniels’ direction (the latter just won the Directors Guild Award which is highly promising), it will win Best Picture. With the most nominations of any other candidate, this sits well with me and is giving me the same vibe that The Shape of Water did when it won Best Picture.
The Banshees of Inisherin can swoop in and claim Best Picture, especially considering that it can win for Martin McDonagh’s direction and screenplay; plus Colin Farrell possibly winning Best Actor may help too (although it appears as though Austin Butler may have this one in the bag now). If it can pick up additional wins (it did win both supporting acting categories at the BAFTAs, but I don’t personally seeing this happening at the Oscars), we may have a Banshees win.
The Fabelmans was once the top projected film to win Best Picture, but it has lost a lot of steam over the past month. A lot. Still, it isn’t completely impossible. Should Steven Spielberg win Best Director and the film win for its screenplay, that may be enough to secure a Best Picture win (although both categories seem daunting at this point). The film may pick up some wins in smaller categories (or even just one), so I wouldn’t say this is a sure win, but you never know. The Academy does love Spielberg, and it did win the Golden Globe last month for this very category (although a lot has changed since). Just don’t count The Fabelmans out.
Finally, it appears the dark horse of the evening, to my surprise, is All Quiet on the Western Front. Who would have thought? It will almost certainly win Best International Feature Film, so let’s get that out of the way. If it wins even just one other major nomination, it can pull off Best Picture (the only place it can is for Best Adapted Screenplay, and that may be enough). It also has technical nominations that it can accumulate, and these certainly don’t hurt. Should this win, it’ll be the second time that a Best Picture winner shared the same source material with another Best Picture winner (the others being Gigi and My Fair Lady, both being based on the broadway version of My Fair Lady to varying degrees).
I don’t think any of the other Best Picture nominees stand a chance at this point. Easy as that.
To not be a wuss, I’ll pick one. For now, I’m going with Everything Everywhere All at Once. Ke Huy Quan, the Daniels, and (possibly) a screenplay or Michelle Yeoh win will seal this.
Tune in Monday for one last ranking… it’s going to be a doozy. Get ready for a mega list ranking of every single Academy Award nominated film of 2023. I’m not joking. Shorts included. God help me.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.