Best Picture is the biggest category for the Oscars, but many horror films are left out of the discussion
Horror rarely wins at the Oscars. If they’re lucky, a costume or special effects design nomination is given. In the 97 years since the first Academy Awards, only six horror movies have been nominated for Best Picture. “The Silence of The Lambs” became the sole winner of the category in 1992. However, this year, a second winner could enter the category.
“The Substance,” directed by Coralie Fargeat, follows Elizabeth Sparkle played by Demi Moore, who takes a miracle substance that gives her a second chance at youth. The film is loved by many for its colorful visuals, over-the-top gore and its commentary on aging women. For women in the entertainment industry, pressures to look youthful are especially challenging, almost a requirement of the industry.
“The Substance,” like many horror films, is a cautionary tale. It warns of the dangers of superficial beauty and reminds audiences that you never win when you change yourself for someone else’s ideals.
Since its formation, The Academy Awards have strived to recognize the best of the best, but they often fall short. This problem is hard to fix. Film is subjective, and what one person describes as the best is entirely different from another person. Oscar winners are decided by Academy members, a secret group of around 10,000 people in the film industry — an invite-only club.
Having people that know the industry through and through is a double-edged sword. These people know the film industry like the back of their hand, which gives them an insight into what makes a great movie. However, this can also be their downfall. They most likely know the people involved in these films personally, which could obscure their opinions. Especially with the rise of aggressive campaigning, the movies have a better chance when they are made with money and power rather than genuine art.
It’s also no secret that the Oscars often go for only one type of movie: a dramatic and high-tension film with big scores and even bigger stars. Best Picture is the most anticipated category of the night, and many filmmakers spend years on a film in hopes of getting that golden statuette. So, for movies in categories outside of drama, a nomination and win is far from reality. One of the most prevalent genres to be left out is horror. The Academy sometimes recognizes the genre, like in 1975 when “Jaws” won Best Sound or “The Fly” (1986) won Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Even still, if a biopic like “Amadeus” (1984) or “Oppenheimer” (2023) appears in the category, it’s clear who is going to take the award home.
To others, horror might just be Jason Voorhees from “Friday the 13th” (1980) slaughtering camp counselors, however to horror fans, it is a lot more. Some horror movies are just for fun or just to disgust audiences, but looking closer at horror shows the importance of this genre. Some films use this genre to explore real-life horrors that people experience, like racism, poverty, mental health and more. If an audience can see past the blood and guts, they will be able to see that horror and its many sub-genres use this genre to speak about what is going on in our world.
College students, generally, make a great audience as they are often at the point in their lives where they are thinking more critically about the world around them. They’re able to dissect a film and find the hidden themes. “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), on its face, is about zombies. However, the portrayal of the main character Ben, a Black man during the 1960s, and the treatment he received from the other characters shows that the zombies are not the scariest creatures in the film.
Sometimes horror movies do have success at the Oscars. Classics like “Psycho” (1960) and “The Exorcist” (1973) were nominated for Best Picture, but lost. Not even “Get Out” (2017) won Best Picture, though it did take home the award for Best Original Screenplay, making Jordan Peele the first Black winner of this award.
“The Substance” and its protagonist are a breath of fresh air in an industry over-saturated with franchises, blockbusters and remakes. A film about body image, how we treat aging celebrities and the societal pressures put on us resonated with audiences. However, the Oscars are unlikely to abandon their formulaic choices.
Historically, horror films at the Oscars have a slim chance of victory. Hopefully, the Academy finally recognizes horror and moves past its predictable choices as the “The Substance” is Best Picture material. It has stunning performances, impressive visual effects and a screenplay to bring it all together.
Edited by Faith Jacoby | fjacoby@themaneater.com
Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Ethan Palgon and Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com