Florian Zeller had an Oscar hit right out of the gate with his debut 2020 feature The Father. Nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, it would win Zeller an Adapted Screenplay trophy (adapting his own play) as well as Anthony Hopkins taking home Best Actor. It received a 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating. The filmmaker’s 2023 follow-up The Son with Hugh Jackman? 28%.

That’s the definition of a sophomore slump and lots of curiosity greets third pic Bunker. It has screened at the Venice Film Festival prior to its anticipated release later this year. The psychological drama stars real life spouses Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem with support from Stephen Graham, Paul Dano, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. The RT score sits at a middling 55% and 46 Metacritic. The MC number is only one point above The Son.

In other words, Bunker‘s Oscar chances equal Zeller’s predecessor at non-existent. For Cruz, she will likely be walking the red carpet next year anyway with a supporting nod for either The Invite or The Black Ball (or both based on a fresh rule change). Her husband has more of an outside shot in lead Actor for The Beloved. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…