Ti West, the director of the horror movie Pearl, recently spoke out about the issue of the Oscars snubbing horror movies and how he believes that Mia Goth deserved a nomination for her unique performance in the film. In an interview with The Independent, West stated that while he doesn’t anticipate Oscar nominations for his work, he believes that Goth’s performance was deserving of recognition.
He went on to say that while winning an Oscar would be great, if it matters too much to you, it can inevitably make your life a downer. However, he did acknowledge that it would have been a nice addition to Goth’s already impressive performance. West also touched on the issue of whether or not it matters if horror gets acknowledged by the Academy, stating that it depends on how seriously one takes the Oscars. He mentioned that the Oscars may see themselves as representing a different message in movies rather than just focusing on quality.
Mia Goth herself has also spoken out about the bias against horror movies at the Oscars. She believes that the process is very political and not entirely based on the quality of a project. Goth thinks that a change is necessary, and a shift should take place if the Academy wants to engage with the wider public. She believes that it would be beneficial to nominate horror movies for recognition.
Pearl, which is the origin story to the ’70s slasher tribute X, features Goth in the dual roles of Maxine and Pearl. The film often played as a sendup of Hollywood’s Golden Age. While Goth’s performance was lauded by critics and fans alike, she was ultimately snubbed for an Oscar nomination. However, the actress will be seen in the upcoming MaXXXine, the final installment in West’s trilogy, which she has praised for having the best screenplay of the bunch.
The issue of horror movies being overlooked by the Oscars is a contentious one. While some believe that the Academy should recognize the genre more often, others argue that horror movies do not fit the message that the Oscars aim to represent.
Founder and Lead Developer for Horror Facts independent horror magazine.
Husband, Sailor and Independent Writer