The Oscars aren’t fair. Just look at what’s happening to Cillian Murphy

The Academy Awards have always been unjust. This has been evident for a long time. A recent example highlights this reality.

In recent months, I've often heard people say that Cillian Murphy is in line for another Oscar. Really?

In the past, we often got really enthusiastic about the chances of Irish films winning Oscars, even though they were unlikely to impress the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Disheartened discussions on the radio lamented that both The Field and Angela's Ashes received only a single nomination each—one for acting and the other for its score.

Using the powerful Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator, we can revisit and verify that neither film received particularly favorable reviews. Roger Ebert pointed out in his one-star critique of The Field that "what might work on stage now seems forced and unrealistic." While critics may have been discussing their opinions privately, the feedback these films received aligned closely with what observers at the time would have anticipated.

The situation now is unique. Murphy's role in *Small Things Like These*, Tim Mielants's powerful adaptation of a story by Claire Keegan, is strong enough to deserve an Oscar nomination. The film had its debut as the opening feature at Berlinale, one of Europe’s top three film festivals, where Emily Watson received acclaim for her role as a menacing mother superior. Although it took some time for the film to find a distributor in the US, it has received consistently positive reviews globally.

It's clear that Murphy is definitely in the running for an Oscar. After all, he currently holds the title for best actor. Typically, when a past winner receives accolades after a premiere at a significant festival, they become a strong contender. Sheila O’Malley described his performance as “a marvel” on rogerebert.com, highlighting the late critic's lasting influence. Richard Roeper echoed her sentiments in the Chicago Sun-Times, noting that Murphy's seemingly understated yet powerful portrayal drives the narrative throughout.

It's not unreasonable for local fans to speculate about the possibility of "another Oscar for Cillian." With the nominations not due until January 17th, there's still room for optimism, right? However, it's difficult to ignore how distant the current awards season feels for both Murphy and the film *Small Things Like These*. Wins from critics' groups have been sparse, and major awards like the Golden Globes have overlooked both the film and the actor. According to Gold Derby, one of the busiest awards tracking sites, Murphy is currently ranked 20th in the race for best actor, trailing behind others such as Keith Kupferer from the little-known *Ghostlight* and Dev Patel from the intense action film *Monkey Man*.

Dev Patel shared his thoughts on creating his latest film, saying, "I considered what a younger version of myself would like to see in a movie. So, I made this film with that in mind."

What’s happening here? There's a lot of noise from the media during awards season, but Gold Derby's fantastic Awards Magnet podcast, hosted by Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen, brings a refreshing dose of humor and humility to the discussion. "From past experiences, we know that the quality of a performance is just one factor in the Oscars," Rosen explains. "Sometimes, it’s not even the most important one. Murphy has the talent, and there’s also the potential for a bit of popularity that was surrounding him about six months ago."

That all sounds great. Viewers enjoy the movie and are familiar with the main character. Is everything in order?

Rosen adds, "The title 'But Small Things Like These' fits the film perfectly. Sadly, it often feels almost unnoticed."

The awards campaign is important. Colm Bairéad and his team for An Cailín Ciúin made connections throughout southern California as they worked towards securing a nomination for best international feature two years back. Similarly, the Kneecap crew, who are currently nominated for the same award in 2025, grabbed Hollywood's notice early on by arriving at the Sundance premiere in a modified PSNI Land Rover.

[Oscars 2025: "Kneecap" nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Original Song]

However, the category for international films is more restricted and less glamorous. The rules for voting are complicated. In contrast, nominations for performances are decided primarily by the largest group within the academy – the actors – which means that lesser-known films often need a bit more maneuvering and networking to gain recognition. This situation is unfair and unjust.

As Rosen points out, a film's performance is only part of a larger picture of factors at play. It certainly helps if the movie is profitable, and while Small Things Like These has been successful in both this country and the UK, it has only earned modest amounts in the US. Having some sparkle and glamour surrounding your project can also be beneficial. However, Small Things Like These tells a subtle story set against a bleak backdrop, which may work against it.

However, Keegan's story opens the door to unexpected wonders. Just a couple of years back, after a star-studded campaign, Andrea Riseborough surged from obscurity to nab a best-actress nomination. Odd occurrences like the Cillian Redux do happen, but they're not that common.