Oscar Predictions: Eden

Ron Howard is apparently a little out of his comfort zone with Eden, a survival thriller that premiered in Toronto. Said to be considerably darker and at times campier than anything from the filmmaker previously, the period piece screened to mixed results in Canada. Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Sydney Sweeney, Jude Law, Daniel Brühl, Felix Kammerer, Toby Wallace, and Richard Roxburgh are among the ensemble.

With 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 59 Metacritic score, reaction is all over the map. The release strategy is still undetermined. Eden might not make the 2024 calendar. Regardless of whether this is eligible for the 97th or 98th Academy Awards, this doesn’t really seem like an awards contender. Ms. de Armas (a nominee two years back for Blonde) is getting strong notices, but I wouldn’t count on her being a factor. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: The Royal Hotel

Four years after their collaboration The Assistant attracted plenty of critical acclaim, director Kitty Green and Julia Garner reunite for the Aussie outback set thriller The Royal Hotel (out Friday in limited fashion). Jessica Henwick, Toby Wallace, and Hugo Weaving also star in the Neon production that premiered at Telluride.

Hotel scored with critics on the fest circuit and the Rotten Tomatoes is 95% (just above the 93% achieved by The Assistant). Inspired by a 2016 documentary, it’s unlikely this will attract the attention of awards voters just as Green’s predecessor couldn’t despite the positive ink. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…