Oscars 2017 Nominations: 15 Shocks & Snubs

14. Snub: Ben Foster (Best Supporting Actor - Hell Or High Water)

Suicide Squad Joker Oscar
Lionsgate

This one sure wasn't a shock, but that didn't really make it any less disappointing. The Best Supporting Actor field was heavily contested this year, with expected nominees Kevin Costner (Hidden Figures) and Hugh Grant (Florence Foster Jenkins) getting nudged out in favour of Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) and Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals).

But what about Ben Foster's sublime work in Hell or High Water? He is the intense lynchpin around which the movie revolves.

While it was certainly possible for the movie to score two nominations in the same category, it's most likely that Jeff Bridges' excellent performance in the movie stole away most of his votes, given the older average age of Academy voters and their greater familiarity with and affinity for Bridges.

Foster will surely be an Oscar nominee one day, but sadly not this time.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.