30 Greatest Best Picture Oscar Nominees Of The Last Ten Years

22. Sound Of Metal

Birdman Michael Keaton
Amazon Studios

We've seen many, many drama films about someone overcoming a health condition or disability (Deafness in the case of Sound of Metal) at the Oscars before, but Sound of Metal stands out among them big-time as being one of the most involving such movies you'll ever watch.

Not only is it a beautifully-written gem filled with masterful performances, especially from a transcendentally brilliant Riz Ahmed (who, were it not for Anthony Hopkins' lead turn in The Father, would've been the rightful Best Actor winner that night) but it's also puts viewers in the shoes of the protagonist by using its sound-design to replicate his experience of going deaf.

Truly, the sound work in the film is absolutely genius and it's worth seeing for that alone, but the entire film hits incredibly hard and is one of the many winning films in 2021's fabulous Best Picture line-up. As terrible as the socially distanced ceremony was, this was that rare year when nearly every Best Picture nominee completely deserved to be there.

Contributor

Film Studies graduate, aspiring screenwriter and all-around nerd who, despite being a pretentious cinephile who loves art-house movies, also loves modern blockbusters and would rather watch superhero movies than classic Hollywood films. Once met Tommy Wiseau.