This year, the award is set to go to a relative unknown, following Christopher Nolan’s triumphant moment at the 2024 Oscars. While industry heavyweights like Ridley Scott and Denis Villeneuve were early favorites, they ultimately fell short of making the final cut.
In recent years, the Best Director race has delivered its fair share of unexpected winners, and this edition will be no different. None of the five nominees have been previously recognized in this category, and none have an Oscar to their name. That means whoever wins will be claiming Hollywood’s most coveted directing honor for the first time. The nominees include two seasoned filmmakers—Jacques Audiard and James Mangold—alongside three rising stars who are quickly making a name for themselves: Brady Corbet, Coralie Fargeat, and Sean Baker.
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Brady Corbet is making waves with The Brutalist. Though not entirely new to directing, his feature debut, The Childhood of a Leader (2015), was an ambitious, bold introduction to his cinematic style. Even then, he showcased a taste for grandeur. However, many American audiences might recognize him more as an actor—especially from his chilling role in Michael Haneke’s U.S. remake of Funny Games.
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Perhaps the most unexpected nominee of all, French director Coralie Fargeat edged out German filmmaker Edward Berger (Cónclave) for a spot in the final five. Her film The Substance follows up on the critical success of Revenge, which was widely praised in France. While she’s still relatively unknown in the U.S., she has worked in American television, directing an episode of The Sandman, the Netflix adaptation of the acclaimed comic book series
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James Mangold is no stranger to crafting powerful films. He has directed major hits like Girl, Interrupted, Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma, and Logan—for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. His racing drama Ford v Ferrari (Le Mans ‘66) was a Best Picture nominee in 2019. He’s also had a brush with major franchises, directing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and preparing to helm a Star Wars project slated for 2028. Both Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon won Oscars for performances in his films.
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Jacques Audiard is one of the most respected filmmakers working today. He previously reached the Oscars in 2010 with his widely acclaimed film A Prophet, which competed in the Best International Feature category. He’s a Cannes Film Festival legend, having won the Palme d’Or and two additional major awards there, and he has also triumphed at the Venice Film Festival. His films have won three César Awards for Best Picture, solidifying his place in French cinema history. His essential filmography includes A Self-Made Hero, Rust and Bone, Dheepan, and The Sisters Brothers.
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Sean Baker has spent years knocking on the Academy’s door, and this time, he’s broken through. Known for his daring and innovative storytelling, Baker has built a reputation for sidestepping Hollywood conventions. His films always push creative boundaries, and his approach has paid off. His early successes—Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket—cemented him as a force to watch. But it was Anora, which dominated the Cannes Film Festival, that finally put him in the Oscar spotlight. He’s also nominated for Best Editing and Best Original Screenplay, further showcasing his singular talent.
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Brady Corbet’s grandeur will be rewarded with the Best Director Oscar. His direction is exquisite—at times classic, yet undeniably monumental. With The Brutalist, Corbet delivers the cinematic event of the year, extracting powerhouse performances from his cast, with three actors delivering career-best work. His film carries the unmistakable aura of epic filmmaking, a scale and ambition rarely seen among recent Oscar contenders. That said, James Mangold would also be a worthy winner.
