The frontrunner for this year’s Oscars is Netflix’s Western psychodrama The Power of the Dog, a nominee in 12 categories including Best Picture. Among a field of big hitters announced today there is also recognition for sci-fi blockbuster Dune (10 nominations), Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (seven) and Belfast, Kenneth Branagh’s coming-of-age story (seven).
The Academy would love the 2022 awards to be a comeback story. Last year, a low-key, Covid-affected ceremony saw a dramatic fall-off in TV ratings. The hope is that the return of a grand bash filled with star names and box-office successes will help draw back public attention.
Among the Best Picture contenders, The Power of the Dog reached most of its audience through streaming. Some rivals such as Dune have pulled significant crowds into cinemas, but West Side Story delivered a flat commercial performance despite enthusiastic reviews. Other nominees include Belfast; King Richard, biopic of Richard Williams, father and coach of Venus and Serena; Japanese breakout hit Drive My Car and another Netflix title, comedy cause célèbre Don’t Look Up.