5 Oscar takeaways from Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations

We’ve been searching for the Best Picture frontrunner for some time now, and one hasn’t emerged yet to solidify itself as the movie to beat. Is it Emilia Pérez?

The film led the Golden Globes with film nominations with 11 and tied for second at the Critics’ Choice with 10 nominations. That shows real strength above and below the line with two different groups. That matters.

Audiard’s direction and script and stars Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña registered with both voting bodies, as did the film as an international contender, two of its original songs and the film’s score from Clément Ducol and Camille. Selena Gomez got a nomination from the Globes voters in Supporting Actress but missed with the Critics’ Choice voters.

It’s possible Netflix might finally nab the Best Picture Oscar it has coveted for so long with Jacques Audiard’s audacious-if-flawed musical drama. The film doesn’t entirely work, but it’s clearly leaving an impact on the audience.

Remember that Emilia Pérez earned a runner-up slot for the audience award at the Toronto Film Festival in September and earned the Jury Prize honor at Cannes in May to go along with a shared Best Actress honor for four of the film’s leads.

If the film lands a Screen Actors’ Guild ensemble nomination next month, this might be the film to beat.