This year’s Oscar race for Best Director has no female nominees among the five contenders, and the ceremony will unfold at dawn on Monday, March 13. The spotlight shines brightest on Steven Spielberg, who is poised to climb another rung on the directors’ ladder, adding to a storied career that already reshaped modern cinema.
Martin McDonagh for Inisherin’s Banshees
Ruben Ostlund’s work has captured headlines, but Martin McDonagh, the Anglo-Irish playwright turned filmmaker, seeks his first Best Director Oscar with Inisherin’s Banshees. The film also earned nominations for Best Picture and Best Screenplay, underscoring McDonagh’s continued ascent in a career that began with short-form storytelling and grew into feature-length acclaim. His prior forays into awards include a triumph with the short film Six Shooter, a reminder that his path has long been marked by sharp wit and precise storytelling. The nominations reflect a broader recognition of his ability to balance dark humor with human vulnerability, a thread that runs through his work from Bruges to the present day.
Steven Spielberg for The Fabelmans
Steven Spielberg, a towering figure in American cinema, returns with The Fabelmans, a film that draws on autobiographical threads and the art of storytelling itself. The director’s aim is to reach an even higher standing in Oscar history, continuing a legacy that includes Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. If Spielberg achieves a third Best Director victory, he would join an elite group that includes Frank Capra and John Ford, among others, and would further cement his status at the pinnacle of the profession. The Fabelmans uses personal memory to illuminate the larger craft of directing, offering a candid look at how family, music, and cinema intersect to shape a filmmaker’s voice and a nation’s cultural memory.
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known collectively as the Daniels, arrive at the awards with Everything Everywhere All at Once, a kaleidoscopic story about a Chinese immigrant family navigating an interdimensional adventure. The film blends humor, martial artistry, and existential questions about identity, choice, and connection. The Daniels have built a distinctive career from video work to feature cinema, celebrated for fearless storytelling and a willingness to experiment with form. The nomination signals a recognition of their bold vision and their ability to fuse intimate character arcs with a sprawling, inventive premise that resonates with broad audiences and critics alike.
Todd Field for TAR
Todd Field’s TAR centers on Lydia Tár, a renowned conductor whose world begins to buckle under pressure and scrutiny. The narrative probes ambition, creativity, and the cost of artistic authority within a modern, high-stakes cultural milieu. Field’s work, which has earned him multiple nods, continues to demonstrate a filmmaker’s gift for weaving complex character psychology with a meticulously crafted soundscape and visual language. The film’s reception reflects a broader dialogue about leadership, ethics, and the responsibilities that accompany genius in the performing arts.
Ruben Östlund for Triangle of Sadness
Swedish director Ruben Östlund returns with Triangle of Sadness, a sharp satire that uses a luxury cruise to dissect social class, power dynamics, and human folly. The film’s bite lies in its willingness to hold a mirror up to society, prompting audiences to reflect on how wealth and privilege distort judgment and behavior. Östlund’s approach has consistently blended provocative humor with pointed social commentary, earning him earlier nominations and awards on the international stage. Triangle of Sadness continues that tradition, inviting viewers to question comfort, etiquette, and the true cost of civility in a world that often rewards appearances over substance.