This year, the Oscars’ Best Original Song category has become ground zero for a clash that could rewrite the rules of music-driven campaigning at the Academy Awards. Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s genre-bending Warner Bros. hit, brings a gritty R&B vibe to the race.
Meanwhile, Netflix’s animated phenomenon K-Pop Demon Hunters is leveraging its blockbuster status and global reach, hoping the infectious energy of “Golden” will sway both voters and international fans.
Sinners made headlines by submitting just two of its standout tracks, “I Lied to You” and “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” instead of a full three, a move that echoes past strategic choices from contenders like Barbie and potentially sharpens their focus.
Each song showcases industry talent: “I Lied to You” features vocals from rising star Miles Caton with production by Ludwig Göransson, while “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” pairs Caton with Alice Smith for a soul-searching duet.
K-Pop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most-streamed original and a cultural juggernaut, staked its claim with “Golden,” a track already certified Platinum and sitting comfortably in Billboard’s top ten.
The Academy will announce a shortlist of 15 songs in mid-December, with just five making it as official nominees by late January. According to Oscar rules, any one film can only claim two nominations in this category, adding an extra layer of competition for both teams.
It’s a rule that’s prompted much analysis, especially as both films carry at least two eligible tracks likely to make the shortlist.
Strategy, Fandom, and Social Buzz: Why the Stakes Are So High
K-Pop Demon Hunters isn’t just in the running for music; it’s redefining what animated films can do on the awards circuit. With anime rarely landing multiple Oscar nominations, many critics believe this could be the year the glass ceiling shatters.
The movie’s aesthetic blend of K-pop spectacle and supernatural action made it an instant streaming success and a box office hit, achieving platinum soundtrack sales and record-breaking viewership.
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans designed the film to highlight Korean heritage and concert-driven visuals, connecting deeply with younger audiences and global pop fans.
On the other side, Sinners is already cited as one of Warner Bros.’ top Oscar hopefuls, with industry insiders predicting nods in major categories, including Best Picture.
The strategic decision to submit two Star Tracks instead of three has drawn comparisons to Barbie’s Oscar run, fueling debate over whether a narrowly defined campaign yields greater Academy approval.
Some analysts worry about Sinners’ horror genre pedigree slowing its momentum, but the critical acclaim for its music may offset industry bias.
Sinners vs. K-Pop Demon Hunters
Reddit forums and entertainment news sites buzz daily, dissecting voting patterns and tracking playlist placements for both Sinners and K-pop Demon Hunters.
Fans debate whether animated soundtracks and horror-driven ballads stand an equal chance and what it means for Oscar visibility if streamers like Netflix muscle in alongside studio juggernauts.
The Road to the Oscars: Who Wins and What’s at Stake
While nominations remain weeks away, both films have already made history just by fueling this head-to-head contest.
KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” is widely expected to secure a place among the five Best Original Song nominees, possibly making it the first anime to reach more than one Oscar nod if its other tracks, “Soda Pop” or “What It Sounds Like,” are selected.
Sinners’ “I Lied to You” and “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” also draw strong odds, bolstered by Warner Bros.’ robust Oscar campaigning.
The outcome will test Academy voters’ willingness to embrace animated and genre films not typically seen in music top slots, and could change the way studios approach song submissions and campaign strategy going forward.
Meanwhile, the conversation about diversity, innovation, and the power of fandom remains front and center, a reminder that awards season is no longer just about insiders but millions of global viewers invested in every beat.
After an eight-year hiatus from acting, Daniel Day-Lewis returned to the big screen with Anemone, a psychological family drama now available on video on demand following a limited theatrical run.
Set in the lush, isolated landscapes of Northern England, Anemone follows Ray Stoker (Day-Lewis), a reclusive hermit who has withdrawn from society, burdened by past trauma.
The story begins when Ray’s estranged brother Jem (Sean Bean) leaves his comfortable suburban life to find him and urges him to reconnect with their fractured family. This reunion triggers a series of emotional reckonings that reveal old wounds linked with political violence, family grief, and personal regrets.
The project felt like a natural return for Day-Lewis, whose previous film, Phantom Thread, was released in 2017. Known for selecting deeply challenging and layered roles throughout his career, this intimate, character-driven story provided the perfect canvas for his comeback.
His collaboration with Ronan added layers of authenticity while introducing a new directorial voice to cinema.
Anemone premiered at the 2025 New York Film Festival on September 28 before opening in select U.S. theaters on October 3 and expanding later. Its subsequent rollout on PVOD platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV offers a broader audience the chance to experience this quiet but powerful film.
Plot: A Story of Estrangement, Trauma, and Fragile Hope
Anemone centers on the intense relationship between two brothers deeply scarred by past events. Ray (Daniel Day-Lewis) lives a solitary life in the wilds, removed from family and society after a mysterious trauma tied to Ireland’s political violence that haunts him.
Jem (Sean Bean), his brother, seeks to pull him back into family life, especially as Jem’s adopted son, Brian, struggles to deal with his own battles, partly stemming from his connection to Ray’s absence.
The plot unfolds as an emotional exploration of estrangement and the slow, uneasy steps toward reconciliation. Ray’s withdrawn state, often punctuated by moments of anger and silence, contrasts with Jem’s earnestness and Samantha Morton’s portrayal of Nessa, the wife left behind.
The film confronts heavy themes like regret, memory, and the legacy of violence that ripples across generations.
Daniel Day-Lewis (Credit: NBC)
Critics have noted the film’s meditative pace and emotive weight, with some finding the narrative obtuse but many praising Day-Lewis’s compelling central performance. His portrayal evokes both vulnerability and simmering intensity, bringing a complex humanity to the isolated character of Ray.
The cinematography, shot in evocative Welsh landscapes, enhances the surreal and somber atmosphere, adding a dreamlike quality that underscores the film’s exploration of pain and healing.
Mixed Reviews but Undeniable Power and Significance
Reception for Anemone has been mixed. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 56% critic rating, with common praise directed at Day-Lewis’ return and the rich emotional texture between characters.
Some reviewers found the storytelling uneven or slow, yet many acknowledged the film as a showcase for Day-Lewis’ legendary craft and Ronan Day-Lewis’ assured directorial touch.
Audience response has been warmer, with many drawn to the film’s raw intimacy and the actor’s magnetic presence on screen. The complexity of the family dynamics and the weight of the themes invite reflection on trauma and reconciliation, rarely examined with such nuance in mainstream cinema.
Though Anemone didn’t achieve blockbuster status, its release marks a significant moment for followers of Day-Lewis’ career and those interested in character-driven dramas.
The availability of this emotionally dense work on streaming platforms ensures that it reaches a wider audience while offering viewers a chance to witness one of cinema’s greatest actors explore new depths in his craft.
Moving forward, Anemone may well be regarded as a personal milestone and a vital contribution to stories about fractured families grappling with history and personal demons, amplified by the unique dynamic of a father-son filmmaking team.
Daniel Day-Lewis’s Anemone is more than an acting comeback ; it’s a poignant exploration of isolation, family, and the scars that define us. Streaming now, it invites viewers to witness a master’s return through a story that moves with quiet power and lasting emotional resonance.
