Viewers of the Oscars were left shocked by a “criminally underrated” performance from a film that didn’t secure any wins on the prestigious night.
Kieran Culkin snagged the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in A Real Pain, marking his first Academy Award nomination and win. However, fans argue that another actor’s performance was wrongly snubbed.
Some have highlighted a different performance in the same category as a “killer” role that has been largely ignored by award circuits recently. The overlooked film also garnered a Best Actor nomination but came up empty-handed at yesterday’s ceremony. Despite the lack of accolades, the movie has received acclaim on X.
One viewer expressed their astonishment, writing: “Kieran Culkin is fun and I’m always happy to see him onscreen but what Jeremy Strong did as Roy Cohn in The Apprentice genuinely took my breath away and it’s a crime he hasn’t received a single award for it.”
The Apprentice, which depicts the ascent of Donald Trump portrayed by Sebastian Stan, was shut out from any awards at the Oscars. Instead, it was Strong’s co-star from Succession, Culkin, who walked away with the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
Admirers of Strong’s portrayal of Cohn shared clips of his performance online, with one lamenting: “Pouring one out for this criminally underrated performance… Jeremy Strong you’re too talented. Too genuine. Too intellectual. They killed you.”
Another added: “This wasn’t just the best supporting actor, he destroyed everyone acting in this role. If these awards were based on objectivity it would be no contest.”
Fans continued to heap accolades on Jeremy Strong’s depiction of American lawyer Roy Cohn, expressing hope that Strong, alongside Timothée Chalamet, would receive the recognition they deserve.
One commenter expressed their thoughts: “Everyone is lauding Chalamet’s speech about wanting to be great but they gave the Oscar to Mr I-take-nothing-seriously-Culkin. I hope there’s a shift toward people who give a s*** and Strong is recognized and not teased for his seriousness.”
Another person lamented: “Jeremy Strong being robbed by Culkin playing himself is my year’s biggest disappointment.”
Meanwhile, a third shared: “I think it was always gonna be an uphill battle given the subject matter but I literally just finished seeing the film and he was excellent in it. So was Sebastian.”
“The Apprentice,” which chronicles Donald Trump’s ascent and his ties with Roy Cohn, has garnered 42 nominations across various awarding bodies but only clinched three wins.
Strong scooped a Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor, while Sebastian Stan took home the Actor of the Year from the Columbus Film Critics Association, an accolade he shared with his lead role in “A Different Man.” Additionally, “The Apprentice” triumphed as Best English Language Film at the Danish Film Awards.