94th Academy Awards Predictions - Best Original Score

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In yet another category foolishly excluded from the live ceremony, a film’s score is one of its most important elements. One of the easiest ways to convey emotion is through music, which helps to provide auditory shorthand for what is captured onscreen. Imagine Star Wars, Jurassic Park, or Psycho without their music, and you immediately lose what makes them so special. Every category cut is hurtful, but Original Score in particular is one of the Academy’s worst decisions in recent years. Oh wait, I’m supposed to be predicting and not lecturing.

Don’t Look Up

Nominee: Nicholas Britell
Song That Should Win: “Thanksgiving (Overture to Logic and Knowledge)”

Don’t Look Up is the glossiest and most scathing film from the new phase of Adam McKay’s career, with Nicholas Britell’s subtly brilliant score coming up to task for it. Britell is overdue for a win at some point in his young career, with Don’t Look Up as his third nomination. With a victory at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Britell has a notable piece of hardware on his mantle if he wants to make a serious push. It’s unlikely compared to the two juggernauts that are Dune and The Power of the Dog, but Don’t Look Up could sneak down the middle if voters see this as a good way to reward the film knowing there are few other places they can.

Dune

Nominee: Hans Zimmer
Song That Should Win: “Leaving Caladan”

The heavy frontrunner for the race, Hans Zimmer and Dune have the precursor edge and the recognition to win this category. Dune‘s epic score is an all-timer from the longtime composer, who has surprisingly only won a single Academy Award despite decades of iconic music to his name. Zimmer’s campaign for a second is bolstered by precedent. A victory at the Golden Globes bodes well in a category that has correlated 8 out of 10 years over the last decade, as does a victory in the Sci-fi category at the HMMA’s. There’s nothing really going against Dune except for Zimmer’s status as a previous winner, but many believe he’s ready for another one.

Encanto

Nominee: Germaine Franco
Song That Should Win: “Meet La Familia”

Animated films tend to do well in this category, and Encanto could’ve followed a similar path in a less competitive year. Last year’s winner, Soul, was one example, while several Disney Renaissance films received the Original Score award before the Animated Feature category was instituted during the 1990’s. The celebrity of Lin-Manuel Miranda could bolster Encanto‘s chances the same way Jon Baptiste likely bolstered Soul‘s, but unlike then the competition is much heavier. The nomination will likely be the reward, especially since Encanto will already be winning Best Animated Feature and has a stronger chance in Original Song. Being an SCL winner does boost its profile a bit though.

Parallel Mothers

Nominee: Alberto Iglesias
Song That Should Win: “La vieja cama”

Although I have nothing but respect for Alberto Iglesias’ vibrant score, Parallel Mothers‘ success in Original Score has been a bit confounding. It’s difficult to deny its respect within the industry, including nominations at the Golden Globes and a win in the Foreign Language category at the HMMA’s. Iglesias himself is overdue for a win, having been nominated four times in his career so far. In a less competitive year, Iglesias could see himself spinning that narrative, but Parallel Mothers doesn’t seem to inspire the passion necessary to reach that conclusion.

The Power of the Dog

Nominee: Jonny Greenwood
Song That Should Win: “Prelude”

If there’s a narrative for a winner, it’s Jonny Greenwood and his taut score for The Power of the Dog. Being the Best Picture frontrunner is certainly an advantage, but Greenwood himself is his strongest asset for an awards campaign. He has only been nominated twice, for The Power of the Dog and Phantom Thread in 2017. He has been perceived as being snubbed by many for the music he’s been composing for his past work, including this very year for Spencer. Greenwood’s got an uphill battle though, losing at the HMMA’s to the previously mentioned Don’t Look Up, while a comparison of industry support is too close between Zimmer and Greenwood to predetermine a victor on that front.

Dune was always going to be a technical juggernaut, and Zimmer’s chance at a second Academy Award has been on the menu for decades. Jonny Greenwood and Nicholas Brittell could each find a way to sneak in off the argument for an overdue win, with Greenwood having a history of reconciliatory goodwill behind him. That being said, Dune‘s victory at the Golden Globes and the lack of an immediately clear challenger, plus Zimmer’s own love within the industry, make this one of its many below-the-line victories that could be seen as safe.

Will Win: Dune
Could Win: The Power of the Dog
Should Win: The Power of the Dog
Should’ve Been Nominated: Spencer