Oscars 2021 Nominations: Biggest Surprises And The Worst Snubs
4. Surprise: Judas And The Black Messiah - Best Picture, Supporting Actor & Screenplay
Very much a late bloomer on the awards circuit, Judas and the Black Messiah received just two nominations at the Golden Globes (proving how out of touch they are) and only a few nominations elsewhere. It was a very pleasant surprise to see the story of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton rewarded with six Oscar nods, tying it with Minari and Nomadland for nominations.
Not only did it receive a surprising number of awards, but it was recognised in some major categories including Best Original Screenplay and the big award of the night: Best Picture. For its writer/director/producer Shaka King this is an incredible achievement, with only one other feature film to his name, and marks him as a name to look out for in the future.
Another welcome addition to the nominations was Lakeith Stanfield who portrays the film's protagonist (or maybe antagonist) William O'Neal, the FBI informant who infiltrated the Black Panther party. While pleasing to see Stanfield finally recognised for his work - after delivering such interesting and varied performances in Uncut Gems and Sorry to Bother You - it is confusing to see him nominated as Best Supporting Actor and not Best Actor.
While Daniel Kaluuya is likely to triumph against his co-star in this category, it is a strange choice to pit the two actors against each other considering the disproportionate amount of screen time between the two.