It’s Oscar weekend and that means nerds like me get very excited to sit down and watch some of our favorite movies of the year get recognized for their contributions. But as it turns out, some people get really sore that horror movies get snubbed during Oscar season. I understand that and agree, as a movie buff it can get annoying when my favorite genre isn’t recognized. But after some cursory research I’ve realized that the Academy has actually done a rather good job recognizing the horror genre, even if it probably shouldn’t matter. And to be honest it doesn’t, it’s just a fun idea to kick around.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#B20000″ class=”” size=””]When horror is merged into other genres we get plenty of Oscar worthy films…[/pullquote]
Byzantium

You don’t want to know what she just ate.

I’ve come to the conclusion that when you keep in mind that modern horror takes on many forms, the Oscars have been quite good to horror. And when horror is merged into other genres we get plenty of Oscar worthy films like Black Swan or The Sixth Sense. To quote scream queen Ruby LaRocca with “horror you can play in many genres”. That’s the beauty of horror, it’s a subjective thing. Your local barbershop may not be a nightmare factory to you but the thought of some maniac coming at my head with a sharp object while I’m trapped in a chair shakes me to my very core. Therefore Sweeney Todd can be a horror movie. One that’s been nominated for Oscars! Look at that, I brought it back around.

Historically only The Silence of the Lambs has been able to nab itself a Best Picture Oscar, but the list of horror movies that have gotten other nominations is an impressive lot. Trendsetters like Pan’s Labyrinth, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Sixth Sense have moved the genre forward and changed the face of horror in their own way.

Now on to our Oscar nominated actors. It’s no secret many of our biggest stars have roots in horror. Johnny Depp who famously got his start on A Nightmare on Elm Street has been nominated three time throughout his career. How about Patricia Arquette who won last year’s best supporting actress for her powerful performance in Boyhood, she’s another product from the house that Freddy built. Perhaps Rooney Mara will have the same luck, her stand out role in the forgettable A Nightmare on Elm Street remake still managed to pave the way for her nomination in Carol this year.

She’s not the only Oscar nominated actress that has a horror movie clunker under her belt. Jennifer Lawrence who’s performance in Joy got her a nomination this year was in the very underwhelming House at the End of the Street just a few years ago. Seriously, don’t bother unless you’re a hardcore JLaw fan. But it’s not all bad for the ladies. Saoirse Ronan’s brilliant performance in Brooklyn got her the nomination, and if you go back a few years you’ll see her starring in the very unique, very creepy vampire story Byzantium.

Black Death

This is going to hurt just a little bit.

What about the men’s category? Have you heard of this guy named Leonardo DiCaprio? He’s sort of a big deal. His riveting performance in The Revenant this year might finally earn him the Oscar he so rightfully deserves. You probably knew already that DiCaprio got his Hollywood start with a little movie called Critters 3, but that’s not the movie we care about, for Mr. DiCaprio you’ll want to look to Shutter Island. The Martin Scorsese directed horror film that reminded everyone that Scorsese is a still a genius. Speaking of genius, Christian Bale’s psychotic rendition of cutthroat businessman Patrick Bateman in American Psycho didn’t earn him an Oscar (although it probably should have) but his role this year’s The Big Short did. Eddie Redmayne’s another nominee this year for his daring portrayal of a transgender woman in The Danish Girl but you can also see Redmayne in 2010’s gothic horror film about the bubonic plague in Black Death.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#B20000″ class=”” size=””]So does that mean I’m hoping to see The Witch get an Oscar nomination next year?[/pullquote] Of course there are so many more horror movies that have received their proper dues from the Academy, and when they don’t we as a community will usually find a way to recognize what matters to us. So does that mean I’m hoping to see The Witch get an Oscar nomination next year? Sure, it’d be nice. It’s a great film that has the horror community buzzing. Though in all likelihood it won’t get the recognition. But that’s why we have our year end awards, and hell if it’s not an early front runner my movie of the year. No matter what Luke and Jacob have to say.