6 possible upsets at the 2022 Oscars — including a Kristen Stewart comeback
It seems inevitable Sunday's Oscars will offer at least one jaw-dropping surprise — if not a few. Last year, there was Anthony Hopkins' shock upset, so what might the 2022 equivalent be?
Here are a few unlikely, but not impossible, scenarios:
1. The Mitchells vs. the Machines wins Best Animated Feature Film — Encanto is the heavy favorite, but Netflix's The Mitchells vs. the Machines, which defeated Encanto at the Critics' Choice Awards and the Annie Awards, may be a dark horse.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. Kodi Smit-McPhee wins Best Supporting Actor — CODA's Troy Kotsur almost certainly has this in the bag. But if The Power of the Dog mounts a comeback, keep an eye on Kodi Smit-McPhee, who won the Golden Globe.
3. Kristen Stewart wins Best Actress — This is the evening's most competitive category, though Jessica Chastain is the frontrunner. But former frontrunner Kristen Stewart may have a shot at sneaking back in for Spencer, especially after campaigning quite actively for the award. Alternatively, Penélope Cruz could surprise.
4. "Dos Oruguitas" wins Best Original Song — The favorite is Billie Eilish's "No Time to Die," which makes sense considering the last two James Bond themes won. But while Disney didn't submit "We Don't Talk About Bruno," could the hype around it rub off on the Encanto song that was submitted, "Dos Oruguitas"?
5. The Worst Person in the World wins Best International Feature Film — Drive My Car should take this considering it's also nominated for Best Picture. But after The Worst Person in the World earned a surprise screenplay nomination, don't fully count it out.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
6. Don't Look Up wins Best Original Screenplay — The frontrunners are thought to be Belfast and Licorice Pizza, but the Don't Look Up won at the Writers Guild of America Awards. Given how divisive the movie has been among critics, if it repeats at the Oscars, brace for the takes.
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
How the ‘British FBI’ will workThe Explainer New National Police Service to focus on fighting terrorism, fraud and organised crime, freeing up local forces to tackle everyday offences
-
The best family hotels in EuropeThe Week Recommends Top kid-friendly hotels with clubs, crèches and fun activities for children of all ages – and some downtime for the grown-ups
-
Moon dust has earthly elements thanks to a magnetic bridgeUnder the radar The substances could help supply a lunar base
-
‘One Battle After Another’ wins Critics Choice honorsSpeed Read Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, won best picture at the 31st Critics Choice Awards
-
Son arrested over killing of Rob and Michele ReinerSpeed Read Nick, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, has been booked for the murder of his parents
-
Rob Reiner, wife dead in ‘apparent homicide’speed read The Reiners, found in their Los Angeles home, ‘had injuries consistent with being stabbed’
-
Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literatureSpeed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclubSpeed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
