Oscars 2025 Greatest Image Nominees, Ranked by How A lot They’ll Bum You Out

Status films carry a sure status for being much less enjoyable to look at than your common summer time blockbuster. The sorts of movies nominated for Greatest Image on the Oscars annually are, in spite of everything, meant to be capital-I Essential — films that signify the yr’s excellent achievements in cinema whereas additionally talking to the place we’re as a society. And when you think about what there’s to be mentioned about the place we’re as a society… yeah, plenty of Oscar films are large bummers.

Which is why, for the fourth yr operating, Consequence has ranked the 2025 Greatest Image nominees — not when it comes to high quality, however when it comes to the way you’ll really feel when you’re achieved watching them. The vary of this yr’s movies isn’t maybe as chaotic because it was in 2024, with Barbie and Killers of the Flower Moon representing the 2 ends of the spectrum, but there’s nonetheless an affordable quantity of variety in tone and subject material to maintain issues fascinating.

A observe that whereas a honest effort has been made to keep away from particular plot particulars under, the character of this checklist implies that there might be implicit spoilers in regards to the endings of those films. Learn accordingly.

10. Conclave

Conclave (Focus Options)

By the metric of “how nicely do issues go for everybody concerned?”, Conclave emerges as — depressingly sufficient — the nominee with the happiest general ending. The one one that really dies on this film is the unique Pope, and regardless of the at instances brutal squabbling that ensues amongst the boys gathering to choose his successor, the very best alternative is the one made. To not point out that the extra twist of the story (which we received’t spoil right here) additionally provides a frisson of insurrection to the proceedings, resulting in a way of actual victory on the conclusion.

This really represents an enormous shift for director Edward Berger contemplating his earlier movie, All Quiet on the Western Entrance — which held the primary slot on this checklist in 2023. Option to loosen up, Edward!

Stream Conclave now on Peacock or on VOD through Apple and Amazon.

09. A Full Unknown

A Full Unknown (Searchlight Photos)

Gee, marvel how issues turned out for that Robert Zimmerman child? Hope issues labored out for him finally!

The one cause that this considerate portrait of Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet)’s rise to fame isn’t the highest of this checklist is that director James Mangold’s muted emotional and aesthetic palate doesn’t culminate in an explosive second of triumph for the music legend. As a substitute, Dylan might have “received” his freedom, as Joan Baez says, but it surely’s a victory he takes in stride as he roars off on his motorbike. Good for Bob!

Pre-order A Full Unknown on VOD through Apple.

08. Depraved

Depraved (Common)

So there are components of Depraved that might in all probability play very otherwise in an alternate actuality the place the 2024 US election went the opposite means. (The goat professor’s storyline is haunting.) But, regardless of the real-world parallels, and the foreknowledge that issues may not go so nice for Elphaba in Half Two, it’s laborious to stroll out of the theater feeling bummed out while you’re ending on this observe: “No one in all of Oz/ No wizard that there’s or was/ Is ever gonna bringggggggg meeeeeeee downnnnnnn“!

Pre-order Depraved now on VOD through Apple and Amazon.

07. Dune: Half Two

Dune: Half Two (Warner Bros.)

What does victory matter if it prices you the love of Zendaya? This query applies to each Challengers and Dune: Half Two, and within the case of the latter film, it’s the issue that retains Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi sequel from being any greater on the checklist. Certain, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) manages to conquer his enemies and proceed his path in the direction of messiah-dom, however the ending makes it clear that the longer term for a few of these characters will not be essentially a rosy one. It definitely units up plenty of thrilling prospects for a 3rd film — which could find yourself being a bummer, however will undoubtedly be bizarre.

Stream Dune: Half Two now on Max or on VOD through Apple and Amazon.