2023 Oscars: Original Screenplay

Nominees

*“The Banshees of Inisherin” [Prediction]
*“Everything Everywhere All at Once” [Want]
*“The Fablemans”
*“Tar”
“Triangle of Sadness”

Snubs

“Men”
“Nope”
“You Won’t Be Alone”

Strangely, the Academy doesn’t have any actual rules on what it means to be an “original'' screenplay. This is one of the more interesting categories for me because we, as human beings, somehow continue to tell more and more stories through more and more mediums – books, films, video games, VR, podcasts – yet, we retain the ability to shock, awe, and move each other. It seems impossible that anything could remain “original” after thousands of years of storytelling and I think this concept lends a lot of credence to my musings about film being the best it's ever been. The creative potential being realized and breadth of communicable experiences made possible by both modern tech and modern minds has led to some seriously strong and profound films as of late, and I think that is exemplified by several of this year’s nominees… And a couple of my snubs.

While I think that The Banshees of Inisherin will win the category, I hope it only does so in handing off both Director and Picture to the pure genius, bravery, and confidence that is Everything Everywhere All at Once. I don’t mean to sound like Banshees isn’t deserving [this is certainly one of those times I wish these two films came out in separate years], it’s just that Banshees is much more of an “Oscar movie”, and I fear that its grounded [if odd] dramatic setting and softer tone will win over more of the conservative minded voters. Again, Banshees was my #15 film of the year; I liked it quite a lot and it’s incredibly clever in what it’s actually depicting. As a 2-hour long what I’d call “strange drama” about the Irish Civil War, it masks its subject matter frightfully well and creates a compelling story even if you aren’t in the know. This intelligence of allegory is what I think will propel it into the top spot of this category, despite the otherwise astounding nature of Everything Everywhere, and deservedly so.

I can’t speak on Triangle of Sadness as I have yet to see it, but I sure can on The Fablemans; and what a boring disaster of a screenplay this was. Obviously I’ve not read it, but I can only imagine that it was a single page long and said, “create the most flat, boring, and masturbating-while-crying-into-a-stack-of-money film you can”.

And… you know what? If that’s what it said, give this movie an award because that is both original and exactly what they accomplished. I am incensed that this gladhanding nonsense is nominated for anything, let alone seven entire awards. This film’s nonsense nomination becomes extra frustrating in light of my listed snubs.

Alex Garland’s Men is an unflinching, raw, and intentionally un-clever look at the female experience in the modern world. It’s mean, it’s smart, and it’s well made. Most importantly where this category is concerned, it’s original. My #33 on the year.

Alongside this is a film that I’m only surprised wasn’t nominated because of the buzz of his first major film, Get Out. Jordan Peele is something of a people’s darling in the modern filmmaking world, and I am genuinely surprised to not see him get a nod here. While I personally haven’t enjoyed and of his outings, I do love his vision, and thought that Nope would make an appearance at least twice during the ceremony.

Finally on my list of snubs is my #1 film of the year, You Won’t Be Alone; a small international film about what it means to live while being alive. This film is an incredibly beautiful look at the unique experiences we all share throughout our journeys, and the ways they make us whole, make us “us”, and make us a part of everything we’re surrounded by. A slow, musing film on the beauties of simply existing, You Won’t Be Alone is one of the most original films of the last decade, not just 2022.

I look forward to seeing what I assume will be an easy win for The Banshees of Inisherin, and hope beyond hope that if that doesn't win, neither does Fablemans. At least Avatar and Visual Effects have something going on. The Razzies were last week, and that’s the only place Spielberg's nonsense movie belongs.