Martin Scorsese’sKillers of the Flower Moonand Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerseem destined to duke it out in several categories at the Academy Awards, but the big one they seem most in line for is Best Picture. As Oscar experts continue to weigh in on their potential, the film’s critical responses are so closely in line with each other that it would suggest that come Oscar night, it will come down to these two heavyweights of cinema for the night’s biggest prize.
Both films share the impact of having stories based on real life, which is something The Academy usually eats up.Killers of the Flower Moonis based on the 2017 book of the same name by American journalist David Grann, which itself was a nonfiction book about the Osage Indian murders. The film centers on a string of Oklahoma murders in the Osage Nation during the 1920s as oil was discovered on tribal land.
Oppenheimertells the story ofJ. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the American theoretical physicist credited with being “the father of the atomic bomb” for his part in the Manhattan Project during World War II. The event, which is itself based on a 2005 biography calledAmerican Prometheusby Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, chronicles the development of the first nuclear weapons.
Both Films Are Running Neck and Neck With Critics
Both films have been lauded by critics, and, as of this writing, both sharea Rotten Tomatoesscore of 93 percent onthe aggregator site. That’s not to say that there won’t be other contenders when it comes to Best Picture nominees as sure things.Poor Thingsis getting considerable buzz while the critical and box office performance ofBarbieshould lead to its name being called on Oscar nomination morning, but in terms of likely to win, it’s appearing that it will both come down toKillers of the Flower MoonandOppenheimerbeing one of the films called once that final envelope is opened. Beyond the Rotten Tomatoes score they share, the pair have even more in common that makes either one a favorite.
Killers of the Flower Moon: Can Martin Scorsese Redeem His Last Oscars Campaign?
Can Martin Scorsese’s latest film redeem his past Oscar losses?
Both films are helmed by directors fiercely respected in the industry and overdue for some wins. Scorsese has previously seen Best Picture appreciation withThe Departed, including what some viewed as a career Oscar for directing the film as well. His career, of course, goes way beyond that with classics such asRaging Bull,Taxi Driver, andGoodfellas. He’s the kind of director who makes you question whether or not he already has a ton of these trophies on his mantle, but tragically, his mantle isn’t all that full, given what masterpieces he has offered the industry. He’s also a director who has spanned decades with awards attention and a hefty box office. His age hasn’t stopped him as he has continued to release prestige commercial fare (Shutter Island,The Wolf of Wall Street) and more personal films (Silence).
In the case of Nolan, he’s arguably the most bankable director working right now, as his name alone can likely generate considerable profit at the box office. Look no further thanOppenheimer. A historical biographical epic release during the heart of the summer doesn’t sound like a sure thing and likely wouldn’t be without another name at the helm, but Nolan’s pedigree was able to turn it into one of the biggest financial hits of the year.
All on a slim $100 million budget,Oppenheimerhas pulled in $942.2 million at the global box office, adding yet another financial hit to Nolan’s filmography that includes the likes ofThe Dark Knight Trilogy,Inception,Interstellar, andDunkirk. The one thing that Nolan lacks that Scorsese has is an Oscar win for Best Director. Nolan received a nomination forDunkirkbut didn’t walk home with the prize. For many, Nolan finally deserves a win, given his great output over the years, andOppenheimercould be his moment. At the end of the day, you will have two respected filmmakers leading their films into Oscar night.
Both Films Feature Performances Earning Big Raves
Another thing they have in common is that both films feature actors the directors are very familiar with, who will likely also be represented on the big night. Scorsese hasworked with Leonardo DiCapriosix times, includingFlower Moon, while the director’s latest film also marks his tenth collaboration with Robert De Niro. He has guided them through great performances that have earned raves, including a Best Actor win for De Niro with 1981’sRaging Bull.
DiCaprio has an Oscar, but not for any of his nominated work with Scorsese, as he finally claimed the prize for 2016’sThe Revenant. That’s not to say that their collaborations have been fruitless. DiCaprio was still represented with nominations in Scorsese films for his role in 2004’sThe Aviatorand 2013’sThe Wolf of Wall Street. Both men, particularly DiCaprio, are earning considerable acclaim for their roles inKillers of the Flower Moon, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see DiCaprio earning a Best Actor nomination and De Niro scoring a nomination in the supporting category.
Killers of the Flower Moon’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Equals Martin Scorsese’s Highest of the Last 30 Years
Martin Scorsese’s next film, Killers of the Flower Moon, ranks among the director’s best according to its score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Killers of the Flower Mooncould also have the distinction of making some history with a nomination for Lily Gladstone, who portrays Mollie Burkhart in the film. Indigenous representation in the Academy has sadly been virtually nonexistent, but with Gladstone campaigning for Lead Actress rather than supporting, she could become the first Native American nominee in the category. Given the acclaim for her performance in the film, Gladstone will no doubt earn a nomination, and a potential win is also in the cards.
Nolan has his own secret weapon in Cillian Murphy. The actor has appeared in six of his films, includingThe Dark Knight Trilogy,Inception, andDunkirk. WithOppenheimer, Nolan gave Murphy the opportunity to take the lead, and it’s one that he seized with absolute relish. Murphy has received arguably the best reviews of his career for his role as J. Robert Oppenheimer, and he has emerged as an early favorite for not only a nomination but for a win in the Best Actor category.Oppenheimercould also see a nomination in theSupporting Actor category for Robert Downey Jr., who plays Lewis Strauss in the film. While this is Nolan’s first time working with Downey Jr., he has admitted to being a long-time admirer of his work, and the actor declared that he believes this is his personal “best film” of his career.
Oppenheimeralso has its own female representation, albeit in a less substantial role when compared to Gladstone’s work in Scorsese’s film. With Gladstone going for Lead Actress, this opens up the Supporting Actress category, giving Emily Blunt, who portrays Oppenheimer’s wife Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, a big shot at earning a nomination in that category. Blunt wouldn’t make history in the same way that Gladstone would, but it would be her first nomination should she get one. She’s the only actress in the film with a female role that has some meat to it in a movie dominated by men, but she more than holds her own, particularly during one moment late in the film that could be called her “Oscar moment.”
Killers of the Flower MoonandOppenheimerboth feel like the kind of films that the Oscars want to be represented on their big night. They are both sprawling epics, coming from respected directors, featuring performances that add emotional weight to their compelling stories. We still have to wait and see howKillers of the Flower Moonwill fare at the box office, but even if it doesn’t come close to whatOppenheimerdid, their similarities give both movies a significant edge as one of the big winners at the end of Hollywood’s biggest night.
