Oscars 2022: Surprise nominations include Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, ‘Drive My Car’ from Japan

The 94th Academy Awards, now that the candidates have been released, might be a wonderful night for Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog.” Jane Campion’s drama led all films with 12 nominations, marking the first time a woman was nominated for best director a second time (Campion’s first Oscar nomination for director came in 1993 for “The Piano”). With ten nominations, “Dune” came in second. “Belfast,” Kenneth Branagh’s autobiographical biography, received seven nominations.

Also read: Oscars 2022: Lady Gaga to Leonardo DiCaprio, list of biggest snubs

Kristen Stewart received her first Oscar nomination for her role as Princess Diana in “Spencer,” despite not garnering a SAG Award nod. “Drive My Car” got four nominations, including one for director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, proving that the buzz was genuine.

The biggest surprises are listed here.

 Kristen Stewart, “Spencer”

Though she appeared to be the frontrunner for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Pablo Larrain’s unnerving drama for the majority of the season, all bets were off when Stewart failed to receive a SAG Award nod for the part. Nonetheless, she received her first Academy Award nomination, as many had predicted.

 Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter”

One of the most delightful surprises of the night was Jessie Buckley’s nomination for her supporting role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s feature directorial debut. Sharing the screen alongside a legend like Olivia Colman is no small feat, and voters were wise to recognise Buckley’s outstanding performance.

Also read: Denzel Washington becomes most nominated black actor in Oscar history

 “Drive My Car” takes four nominations

After failing to score at the PGA and DGA, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s acclaimed drama has been gathering up speed all season, with best picture victories from groups like the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the New York Film Critics Circle, but it was still an unknown coming into nominations morning. However, the Japanese film (renowned as much for its three-hour run duration as for its honours) ended up with four nominations: picture, director, adapted screenplay, and international film.

 “The Worst Person in the World” lands screenplay

Joachim Trier’s depiction of a young woman navigating love and life, starring Renate Reinsve, was another picture that had been gaining traction recently. Reinsve was developing as a dark horse contender for best actress in the Norwegian film, which was expected to be released internationally. While it did win an award for best foreign film, it was Trier and Eskil Vogt’s original screenplay that earned the film its second nomination.

Also read: ‘Drive My Car’ makes Oscar history, first Japanese film with Best Picture nom

 Jesse Plemons, “The Power of the Dog”

There are several silver linings to the supporting actor shake-ups: Plemons, along with his co-stars (and significant other Kirsten Dunst) in Jane Campion’s magnificent Western, was lauded for his part as a compassionate rancher. This is the actor’s first of numerous nominations for the Academy Awards.

 J.K. Simmons, “Being the Ricardos”

Although Simmons’ name was shouted for his performance as William Frawley, the curmudgeonly co-star to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on “I Love Lucy,” it came as no surprise because he is a popular Oscar winner in a scene-stealing role.

 “Flee” makes history

Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s famous film was difficult to categorise — it was a Danish documentary that also happened to be animated, and it told the narrative of a man recounting his childhood escape from Afghanistan. While many expected the film to be nominated for animated feature, there was also optimism that it would be nominated for documentary or foreign feature. In the end, it was the first picture to win all three awards.