Oscars 2026: The Stark Contrast Between Political Films and Silent Stars
This year's Academy Awards nominees are furiously political, with films like 'One Battle After Another', 'Bugonia', and the forthcoming 'The Secret Agent' striking overt parallels to modern politics and the ongoing spectacle of Donald Trump's second term. Yet, on the awards circuit, few stars have been vocal about these themes, writes Xan Brooks, highlighting a curious disconnect in Hollywood's current climate.
The Unspoken Tension in Awards Season
The tone for this cautious approach was set last autumn when Jennifer Lawrence, once tipped as an Oscar frontrunner for 'Die My Love', told reporters she would no longer criticise Trump, arguing it only 'adds fuel to a fire that's ripping our country apart'. This line has since become a standard policy among many celebrities, with comedian Nikki Glaser vowing not to mention Trump's name while hosting the Golden Globes, a promise she kept. Protests were minimal, limited to a few badges, and jokes were cut to avoid controversy.
This defensive stance feels at odds with the nominated movies themselves, which are fuelled by noisy righteous rage. It could be the most political line-up in decades, yet the campaign trail has been marked by blandness, with films speaking up while stars remain silent.
Political Films in Focus
'One Battle After Another', directed by an unnamed filmmaker, is a rambunctious state-of-the-nation thriller that references sanctuary cities, migrant detention camps, and a fascist cell within the federal government. Its villain, Colonel Lockjaw played by Sean Penn, bears a striking resemblance to real-life figures, making it a culture-war flashpoint. Shot ahead of Trump's second term, it anticipated the country's direction, becoming a rallying cry for the left and hazardous waste for the right.
If 'One Battle After Another' splits the vote, 'Sinners' by Ryan Coogler might emerge as the winner. This film, set in the 1930s Jim Crow era and styled as a vampire flick, explores cultural appropriation and race relations in America, akin to Jordan Peele's 'Get Out'. It's a sleek piece of genre entertainment with smart, complex commentary.
The Role of 'The Secret Agent' and Other Nominees
'Bugonia', directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, stars Jesse Plemons as a conspiracy theorist and Emma Stone as a corporate CEO, delving into environmental collapse and disinformation. It portrays an emblematic All-American figure warped by years of false narratives.
'The Secret Agent', a dark horse contender directed by Kleber Mendonca Filho, is set in 1970s Brazil but resonates with modern America through its depiction of a purge of academic elites, state-sanctioned violence, and ICE-type goons. The film features a mischievous character, Hairy Leg, an animated zombie limb that serves as an unofficial mascot for the awards race, symbolising the persistent intrusion of real-world politics into the ceremony.
Why the Silence Matters
This constant defensive crouch among stars raises questions about the Oscars' political legacy. Were they ever truly political, or was that a myth glued together with antique footage? This season feels more safety-conscious than most, despite the charged climate. The films are insurrectionist bangers, yet the stars avoid causing offence, creating a dissonance that Hairy Leg embodies—a gremlin in the works, reminding everyone that politics cannot be ignored, even on Oscar night.
As the Academy Awards approach, the contrast between the bold narratives on screen and the cautious rhetoric off it underscores a broader tension in Hollywood, where art and activism collide, yet voices are often muted in the pursuit of decorum.
