The Brutal Irony of the 2024 Oscars

Earlier this week, movie lovers were restless, anticipating the nominations for the 2024 Oscars. It is widely agreed that 2023 was a year filled with magnificent films. From Barbie and Oppenheimer to Saltburn, it is evident that fan favorites were produced. Alongside these favorite films, audiences held passionate opinions in regards to them. Especially relating to claims of snubs.

Discourse has spurred across the internet regarding the apparent snubs of the Barbie movie in the Oscar nominations. Many claim that there was brutal irony within the 2024 nominations, since Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig did not get nominated for Best Actress and Best Director... But Ryan Gosling got nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

Fans of the Barbie movie believe that this is ironic because the main theme of the Barbie movie is the dangers of patriarchy, and what occurred within the nominations is a perfect example of that: the male supporting actor received a nomination instead of the two women who were the producer/star and the co-writer/director of the film. Although this is fervently disappointing, this discourse has stolen the spotlight from deserving nominees.

Most people are focusing on the irony of the Barbie snubs, while the true irony at play is within audiences ignoring the nominations of other women for the 2024 Oscars. 

The discourse surrounding the Barbie Oscar nominations has left the history made within the 2024 nominations in the sidelines. Specifically in regards to the nomination for Lily Gladstone. Lily Gladstone starred as Mollie Burkhart in the 2023 film "Killers of the Flower Moon,” which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. This nomination is monumental because Lily Gladstone has officially become the first Native American actress to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress. But again, this milestone has been widely kept out of the conversation, since most people have been focusing on the Barbie discourse.

Even further, the discourse online has caused many to assume that Barbie got nominated for absolutely nothing else. But in reality, Barbie got nominated for eight Oscars in total! For starters, America Ferrara, playing Gloria, was nominated for best supporting actress. It is a bit hypocritical to be raising picket signs for Margo Robbie and Greta Gerwig’s snubs while not giving Ferrara the deserved praise for her nomination. Most fans online are more upset about Gosling’s nomination than supporting Ferrara’s nomination!

Not to mention, Robbie and Gerwig still received nominations. Barbie is nominated for best picture—and Margot Robbie produced the film! This means that Robbie would be the one to take home the Academy Award if Barbie were to win that category. In addition to that, Barbie is also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, which would be Greta Gerwig’s award to receive.

Overall, it is completely fair to be upset that Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig did not receive nominations in their respective categories. But, it is even more important to see the good that is happening and not let the “snubs” overwrite the history that is being made. 

Lily Gladstone’s nomination is a pivotal step in molding an Oscars filled with inclusion, and increasing the presence of Native Americans in award shows.