Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire film Sinners made history by securing 16 nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, surpassing the previous record of 14 held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. The film earned nods for best picture, best director, and best screenplay, while Michael B. Jordan received his first Oscar nomination for best actor.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another followed with 13 nominations, including four for its actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn. However, newcomer Chase Infiniti was notably absent from the best actress category.
The Academy’s strong support for Sinners and One Battle After Another highlights a shift toward bold, original American epics that resonate with the nation’s current cultural and social climate.
