One Of Netflix’s Most-Watched Films Based On A ‘Harrowing’ True Story Has Left Fans Questioning How It Didn’t Win An Oscar

Fans of a Netflix thriller based on a ‘harrowing’ true story are left with one big question after watching it: “How did this not get a Best Picture nomination?”

It’s a fair question, especially since the Academy now nominates ten films for Best Picture at the Oscars. 

This year’s competition was incredibly tough, with films like Barbenheimer, Poor Things, Past Lives, and Killers of the Flower Moon all in the running.

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer ended up winning the award earlier this year, which wasn’t a huge shock to anyone. 

John Shearer/WireImage

But the competition was so fierce that even widely acclaimed movies like The Iron Claw received no nominations at all.

Despite this, Netflix fans believe that one film from last year deserved a spot among the nominees: Society of the Snow. 

Released in late 2023 on the streaming service, this film recounts the horrifying true story of the Uruguay Rugby Team’s plane crash in the Andes Mountains in 1972.

Based on a book published in 2009 by Pablo Veirci, Society of the Snow scored a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.8/10 on IMDb.

It has become one of Netflix’s most-watched films ever.

The movie stars Enzo Vogrincic and Agustin Pardella. It received two Oscar nominations: one for Best International Film and another for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. 

However, it did not win in either category and did not receive a nomination for Best Picture.

The film stars Enzo Vogrincic. Netflix

One fan shared their thoughts on a discussion thread about the film on r/Movies, saying: “The match cut from the guy alive to being a frozen corpse was f**king amazing.” 

“Terrific film. How this isn’t getting buzz for a Best Picture nomination is wild to me.”

Another fan commented: “It’s one of the better foreign films I’ve ever seen. Like, it’s actually so f**king good. I’m tempted to say it’s better than Killers of the Flower Moon or Oppenheimer. It’s honestly so good.” 

“Probably hit hard for me because I didn’t know the actual story.” 

“When you don’t know how it’s going to end (had no idea how many would survive, or how) it’s an insanely great story to behold. Because it’s all true.”

The film is a haunting portrayal of the real life disaster that befell an international rugby team. Netflix

Kevin Maher from The Times praised the film, stating: 

“The power of the film resides in its moral even-handedness and technical virtuosity (the crash is genuinely terrifying).”

Amon Warmann from Empire Magazine also gave the film high marks, noting: 

“A viscerally rendered plane crash gives way to an affecting story of humanity and survival. Director J.A. Bayona is on impressive form here.”

Although Society of the Snow faced stiff competition from other notable foreign-language films like Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall, it’s clear why there were calls for it to be considered for Best Picture.