13 Awesome 2015 Movies That Deserve Best Picture (But Won't Get Nominated)

12. Ex Machina

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92% (8/10) Why It Deserves Best Picture: Alex Garland's directorial debut is a thoroughly unnerving sci-fi thriller, a slow-burner that builds to a riveting climax, while asking provocative questions about both the nature of humanity and technology. In a sea of sequels, remakes, prequels, rebootquels and so on, it's simply refreshing to see not merely an original vision, but one executed with pitch-perfect precision. Garland's patient approach wrings every morsel of tension out of the claustrophobic scenario while teasing stellar performances out of Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and the new "it girl" Alicia Vikander. It's without question one of the most unique, intelligent and confident movies of the year. Why It Won't Get Nominated: Sci-fi is always a bit of a tough proposition with the Academy, especially something like this which could be perceived as "cold" and "detached". Its refusal to please the crowds will likely turn off many, but more than anything, the film will probably be perceived as too "small" for the Oscars, and it doesn't help that it came out in the US all the way back in April (and even earlier for overseas audiences).