As winter settles in, Hollywood’s award season inevitably enters its familiar rhythm, marked by tired cycles of hype, controversy and spirited debate. The Academy Award nominations were announced Jan. 22, setting off conversations of snubs, surprises and standout performances across the industry.

Each year, the industry and its audiences find themselves caught in recurring patterns: blockbuster films face scrutiny and sometimes outright backlash, while lesser-known titles unexpectedly capture critical acclaim and public fascination.

Fans clamor for their favorite stars to win in every category, even those for which they aren’t eligible. At the same time, voices from marginalized communities highlight ongoing issues with representation, often feeling exploited for buzz rather than celebrated authentically. This awards season is no exception.

Many films are generating buzz this awards season, and some have garnered strong critical acclaim. “Frankenstein,” directed by Guillermo Del Toro, is one such film.

Released last year, it is an American Gothic science fiction film based on the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. Oscar Isaac stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, the brilliant yet egotistical scientist, while Jacob Elordi portrays the creature he brings to life through his monstrous experiment.

Brian Truitt, of USA Today and a Rotten Tomatoes top critic, says in his review summary, “Frankenstein might just be his greatest hit, as an electrifying master pours every bit of his soul into his gorgeous creation.”

However, some films spark far more polarizing opinions than others.

“One Battle After Another,” directed by Paul Anderson Thomas, is one of 2025’s most talked-about films. The story follows Bob Ferguson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a former revolutionary whose past has left behind both conviction and scars. Alongside his partner Perfidia, portrayed by Teyana Taylor, Ferguson helps lead a radical group called French 75. In a blaze of political theater and violent confrontation, they incur the wrath of Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, a monstrous and obsessive antagonist who becomes both a threat and a mirror to their struggle.

Though some people thoroughly enjoyed the film, others did not. Some critiques from the film come from Taylor’s character, Perfida of Beverly Hills.

While many see her character as an embodiment of freedom and liberation, others see it as the oversexualization of black women in media. Many say that the character of Perfida is the “Jezebel trope” which has historically depicted black women as over sexual, promiscuous and morally loose characters.

This tension highlights the ongoing conversation about representation, along with the fine line between empowerment and harmful stereotyping in contemporary films.

Jaden Gray, an avid film watcher, says Teyana's character was just complicated.

“She was a lot, but I think that’s just who she is,” Gray said. “Especially doing what she was doing.”

However, despite the mixed opinions, critics have high hopes for “One Battle After Another” this awards season. According to Awards Daily, the film is predicted to be a strong contender in major Academy categories, including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography and Editing, with potential wins in Best Supporting Actress, Sound and Best Actor as well.

The film has already shown it can deliver on these expectations: at this year’s Golden Globe Awards, it took home four honors, including Best Actress for Teyana Taylor and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson.

Though we cannot ignore what some have called an obvious “snub.” Park Chan-wook’s foreign hit “No Other Choice” was notably absent from this year’s Oscar nominations.

The dark comedy, based on Donald Westlake’s novel “The Ax,” earned widespread critical praise. Jake Coyle of the “Associated Press” described the film as a “masterfully devilish satire with a chilling autumnal wind blowing through it.”

However, Academy voters seemed unconvinced. The film was shut out of every category, leaving many fans disappointed.

But the pinnacle of this awards season is “Sinners,” a film that has earned immense cultural and critical acclaim. This dark, Southern Gothic story about vampires in Mississippi has now made its mark on Hollywood history. With 16 Academy Award nominations—breaking the Oscar record and surpassing previous record-holders like “Titanic,” “La La Land” and “All About Eve,” each with 14 nods apiece—”Sinners” has proven that it is not just a moment of cultural buzz but a historic cinematic event.

Despite its record-breaking nominations, audiences still feel like the film isn’t getting the respect it deserves. At the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, the film won Best Original Score, with composer Ludwig Göransson taking home the honor. However, the moment was not televised due to “broadcast time constraints,” according to Billboard. This omission left many viewers dissatisfied with the ceremony, with some calling it “disrespectful” and arguing that “everyone deserves to be recognized and celebrated on air.”

The Oscars are set to premiere on March 15.