6) Ex Machina
Science fiction hasn’t connected with Academy voters since 2010’s Inception, which received Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay nods (Gravity is much more a survival drama), but there also hasn’t been a sci-fi film like Alex Garland’s Ex Machina in many years. Thought-provoking, philosophical, subtly acted and impeccably written, it’s a fully formed vision of artificial intelligence as bold and mesmerizing as it is deeply terrifying.
At the very least, Garland’s stunningly speculative script deserves a Best Original Screenplay nomination, and it would be thrilling to see Alicia Vikander cement her breakout status with a Best Supporting Actress nomination (though everyone knows Vikander should really be in contention in the lead category). The danger is that Ex Machina‘s early release date will lead to it being forgotten, but something tells me that there’s going to be a considerable awards push that could pay off for the pic.