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Oscar is one of the most watched award ceremonies. It is known for its prestige and repute and is the final benchmark honored upon deserving movies and actors. However, the ceremony is also notorious for snubbing well-deserving actors and movies over the years. There have been many snubs in the Best Supporting Actress category as well. Here are 10 such times when this happened.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
Sigourney Weaver for Working Girl, Margaret Qualley for The Substance, and other times Oscar snubbed deserving winners in the Best Supporting Actress category.
1. Lupita Nyong’o - Us
Directed by Jordan Peele, Us, is a psychological horror movie featuring Lupita Nyong’o, Elisabeth Moss, and others. The movie revolves around Adelaide Wilson (Nyong’o) and her family, who get attacked by mysterious figures. It turns out, that the figures are their doppelgangers and are known as the “Tethered”. The movie was a critical and commercial hit, and Nyong’o’s performance was lauded universally. Her ability to give a dual performance and emote visceral emotions was appreciated. However, it was a shock that she was not even nominated for the 2020 Oscars. The movie blended horror and social commentary, and Nyong’o’s character was crucial to the movie. Her getting snubbed at the Oscars is still remembered, and many experts believe that movies from the horror genre are still not favored at the Oscars for the major awards. Laura Dern won for Marriage Story, a strong but less demanding role.
2. Cate Blanchett - The Talented Mr. Ripley
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith and directed by Anthony Minghella, The Talented Mr. Ripley, stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, and others. Set in the 1950s, the movie revolves around a con artist, Tom Ripley (Damon), who is tasked by a wealthy father, to travel to Italy, to bring his son home. Jude Law plays the role of the playboy and spoilt son, Dickie Greenleaf. The movie was a critical and commercial success and is a classic. However, Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Meredith Logue was layered and captivating, and she still did not receive an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Even though she was nominated at the BAFTA’s for her role, she could not secure an Oscar nomination, and according to many experts, she was snubbed for her work. Angelina Jolie won for Girl, Interrupted, but Blanchett’s subtle performance was ignored.
3. Alfre Woodard - 12 Years a Slave
Directed by Steve McQueen and based on a memoir by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Alfre Woodard, and others. The movie chronicles the life of Northup, who was a free man but was forcefully abducted by two conmen and sold into slavery. Set in the 1800s, the movie highlights the abject torture that black people continued to suffer at the hands of the landowners, and it was only after 12 grueling years that Northup was released. While Ejiofor delivered a riveting performance as Northup and the movie was a critical and commercial success, Woodard’s brief yet powerful role as Mistress Shaw was an understated knockout that failed to gain recognition. Nyong’o from the same movie secured a nomination and a win, but Woodard’s powerful portrayal and show-stealing performance was snubbed by the Oscars.
4. Sigourney Weaver - Working Girl
Starring Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Melanie Griffith, and others, Working Girl, is a romantic comedy drama directed by Mike Nichols, revolves around a talented secretary, Tess (Griffith), who works in mergers and acquisitions in Staten Island. When Tess joins business night school and pitches an idea to her boss, he tries to take credit for her work. However, things take a turn when he breaks his leg and Tess becomes the boss and proves her talent in the corporate world. The movie was critically appreciated and was a success, especially in highlighting the issue of women in corporate careers. However, Weaver’s villainous yet charming performance as Katharine Parker was snubbed at the Oscars. Even though she was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress category, she lost it to Geena Davis for The Accidental Tourist. Many believe that she should have gotten the award as she had already won in the same category at the Golden Globes. Weaver had also got a nomination at the BAFTA’s.
5. Gong Li - Farewell My Concubine
Directed by Chen Kaige and starring Leslie Cheung, Gong Li, and others, Farewell My Concubine, is a Chinese-Hong Kong historical drama, is based on a novel by Lilian Lee. The movie has political themes and is set in 20th century China, during the days of the Republic of China and during the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution. The film revolves around the complex relationship between two friends and the wife of one of them. The movie was a breakout hit and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Further, it also got nominated in the foreign film category at the BAFTA’s, Golden Globes, and the Oscars. However, Gong Li’s performance as the wife, which was replete with emotions and subtle nuances, went unnoticed, and she did not even get a nomination. She was snubbed at the Oscars, and instead, Anna Paquin took home the award in the Best Supporting Actress category for The Piano.
6. Vanessa Redgrave - Howard’s End
Based on the novel by E.M. Forster and starring Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, and others, Howard's End, is directed by James Ivory. The movie looks at class relations during 20th century England and how it affects the relations between two families, who already have a fraught relationship, and the problems it ensues over the ownership of the titular British estate. The movie was lauded by critics and was a success with viewers. The movie got eleven nominations at the British Academy Film Awards and nine nominations at the Oscars. Even though Vanessa Redgrave was nominated at the Oscars for her touching and refined performance, she lost out to Marisa Tomei, who won in the category for My Cousin Vinny. Tomei’s win has always remained controversial, and many people believed that Redgrave should not have been snubbed.
7. Tilda Swinton – Snowpiercer
Directed by Bong Joon-ho and based on a novel by Jacques Lob, Snowpiercer, is a post-apocalyptic action thriller movie, stars Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, and others. The movie takes place at a time when all efforts to global warming have failed, and the Earth has instead turned into a snowball. Only those people who are aboard the globe-encircling titular train, are alive. The film has themes of class distinctions as the lower class people on the train rebel against the elite in front. The film was appreciated by critics, and Swinton’s brilliant and electrifying performance as Minister Mason was stellar. However, the movie could not gain traction at the Oscars, and many believe that the reason is that it is an action thriller, which is not a genre, that fares well at the Oscars. Swinton should have been acknowledged for the Best Supporting Actress award, but the winner that year was Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave.
8. Winona Ryder - The Age of Innocence
Based on the novel by Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, is a historical romantic drama directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Michelle Pfeiffer, and others. The movie revolves around a wealthy New York society attorney, Archer (Day-Lewis), who falls for two women, the conformist May (Ryder) and the scintillating Countess Ellen (Michelle). The movie won critical acclaim, and Ryder’s performance as the innocent May was appreciated. She even got an Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category. However, she was snubbed in favor of the young Anna Paquin, who won it for The Piano, where her performance was youthful but less nuanced and subtle. Ryder, on the other hand, delivered a more mature performance and was able to embody the various challenges that her character goes through with sincerity and honesty. Her role was also of utmost importance to the movie as it drove the plot forward.
9. Leslie Manville - Phantom Thread
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, and others, Phanton Thread, is a romantic period drama movie, revolves around an haute couture dressmaker, who decides to make a waitress his muse. The film is set in 1950s London and was a critical hit. Even though it was not a blockbuster success at the box office, it was appreciated by the critics and even got five nominations at the Oscars. Manville was also nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category. However, she was snubbed, and the winner was Allison Janney for I, Tonya, who won because of a showier role than Manville. Manville instead, delivered a restrained and chilling performance as Cyril Woodcock, who is the sister of the dressmaker. Her role was like a pillar of strength for the protagonist, and her role propelled the movie forward. However, she lost out at the Oscars, even though she delivered a deserving performance.
10. Margaret Qualley – The Substance
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Starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, The Substance, is a body horror movie directed by Coralie Fargeat, revolves around a fading celebrity, Elisabeth (Moore), who is fired from a show because of her age and lost fame. Grappling for a second chance, she comes across a mysterious drug, that creates a younger version of yourself, but has strict rules that must be followed. However, when the rules are broken, Elisabeth and her double face deadly consequences. The movie was a smash hit with critics and viewers, and Qualley gave a forceful performance as Elisabeth’s younger version. However, since the movie belongs to the horror category, it did not get a lot of nominations at the Oscars. Qualley failed to get a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category, even though she carried the movie and many experts wanted her to get recognized. Instead, the winner was Zoe Saldana for Emilia Perez for Emilia Perez.
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