The nominees for the 2025 Oscars have been unveiled, and a closer look at the shortlists reveals a disappointing truth: Netflix missed a significant opportunity to support Angelina Jolie’s bid for an Academy Award nomination. In 2024, Jolie delivered a powerful performance in the much-anticipated film by Pablo Larraín, titled Maria. This biopic chronicles the life of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, who escapes to Paris in her final days. Maria was expected to mark Jolie’s long-awaited return to Oscar contention, yet the actress’s absence from the nominations has sparked discussions about where the blame should lie.
Since her rise to fame in the 1990s, Jolie has established herself as a prominent figure in Hollywood with memorable performances in films like Girl, Interrupted. Her high-profile marriage to Brad Pitt has kept her in the public eye, although that relationship recently culminated in a finalized divorce. Despite her enduring fame, Jolie’s visibility in the film industry has diminished over the past few years, as she has made only a handful of appearances on screen, none of which garnered significant acclaim. Thus, Maria was anticipated to be the project that would catapult her back into the spotlight, but the Oscars have told a different story.
Anticipation Surrounding Angelina Jolie as a Leading Oscar Contender for Maria
Exploring the Compelling Narrative and Origins of Maria
The disappointment surrounding Jolie’s Oscar snub stems largely from the high expectations set prior to the release of Maria. Many industry insiders and fans believed this film would be her ticket back to the Oscars. This belief was fueled by Larraín’s previous successes with films centered on influential 20th-century women, such as Jackie and Spencer, both of which earned their lead actresses coveted Best Actress nominations. Given Jolie’s undeniable talent, it was widely assumed that she would follow the successful paths of Natalie Portman and Kristen Stewart.
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Pablo Larraín’s 20th Century Women Biopics |
Who The Movies Center On |
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Jackie (2016) |
Jackie Kennedy |
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Spencer (2021) |
Diana Spencer |
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Maria (2024) |
Maria Callas |
Moreover, Maria possesses all the elements of a potential Oscar-winning film. In addition to its ties to Jackie and Spencer, the narrative presents a poignant and significant story about a remarkable woman whose life is often overlooked. Maria Callas is celebrated as one of the greatest opera singers, yet her life was filled with dramatic controversies and challenges. Despite these compelling factors, Maria and Jolie’s performance were overshadowed by other films like Anora, The Substance, and Wicked, which captured the Academy’s attention.
Maria Marks Angelina Jolie’s First Oscar-Worthy Role Since 2008
Uncovering the Challenges in Angelina Jolie’s Career Trajectory
Another layer of disappointment regarding Jolie’s Maria snub is that this film represents her first truly Oscar-worthy performance in nearly 17 years. Throughout her illustrious career, Jolie has received only two Academy Award nominations: Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted, which she won, and Best Actress for Changeling, which did not result in a win. Analyzing Jolie’s filmography, it’s evident that 2008’s Changeling was the last time she delivered a performance worthy of awards recognition. Following that, her subsequent roles have often lacked the gravitas and depth necessary for Oscar consideration, resulting in her not standing out in the industry.
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So, what factors have contributed to the decline of Jolie’s career? The shift away from serious dramatic roles is a concerning trend. Primarily, the types of projects Jolie has chosen since 2008 have predominantly been in the realms of fantasy and thrillers. She has gravitated toward films like Kung-Fu Panda, Maleficent, and Eternals, which, while entertaining, do not align with the traditional Oscar-worthy narratives. Although the Academy should certainly recognize high-fantasy films, the reality is that Jolie has not been in the running for awards for nearly two decades.
Understanding the Shortcomings of Angelina Jolie’s Oscar Campaign
Strategies for Angelina Jolie to Reclaim Her Oscar Contender Status
Ultimately, the failure of Jolie’s Oscar campaign can be attributed to the fact that Maria lacked the compelling strength necessary to compete with other Oscar-caliber films. Among Larraín’s 20th-century women films, Maria received the lowest ratings, holding a respectable but not outstanding 74%. Additionally, the film did not garner much buzz, which may be attributed to its release on Netflix rather than a traditional theatrical rollout. While Jolie delivered an impressive performance, she did not manage to rise to the occasion comparable to other actresses like Demi Moore or Mikey Madison, leaving her fans puzzled by the outcome of the awards season.
Fortunately, Maria was far from Jolie’s last chance to earn herself another Academy Award nomination.
Encouragingly, Maria is not the final opportunity for Jolie to secure another Academy Award nomination. With her engagement in more serious projects and the conclusion of her high-profile divorce, she has the potential to reestablish her presence in Hollywood. In fact, this resurgence is already underway, as Jolie is set to star in an upcoming French film titled Stitches, where she portrays an American filmmaker. Although Jolie’s career faced a lull during the 2010s and 2020s, she remains well-equipped to make a remarkable comeback in future Oscar races.
Maria
