19 Oscar snubs that can literally break your heart

Modified Feb 09, 2025 12:18 ET

EE British Academy Film Awards 2014 - Red Carpet Arrivals - Source: Getty

1. Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler (2014)

The Headstrong Project Annual Gala 2024 - Source: Getty

Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of the unhinged crime journalist Lou Bloom was one of the most unnerving performances of the decade. His drastic weight loss, unsettling mannerisms, and manipulative charm created a character both terrifying and mesmerizing. Critics widely praised his transformative performance, calling it career-defining—but the Academy gave him the cold shoulder, shockingly snubbing him for a nomination. Nightcrawler itself only secured a nod for Best Original Screenplay, despite its gripping cinematography and chilling atmosphere that added to the film’s haunting impact.