It Is Preposterous That Jacob Tremblay Did Not Get An Oscar Nomination For "Room"

It’s Oscar Sunday so I’m gonna get the ball rolling on award bitching.

I just got around to watching Room on Friday night and I’ve legitimately been stewing about this since then. It is completely outrageous that Jacob Tremblay didn’t get an Oscar nomination for this. He was so good that I paused the movie halfway through to check if he got a supporting or lead actor nomination, he somehow got neither. It’s truly the most memorable acting performance I’ve ever seen in my life. Granted, the fact that he’s so young makes it stand out more, but there were times during the film where I found myself shaking my head in disbelief. Tremblay was so fucking good that it distracted from the movie. Seriously. He’s a child, but he’s not a “child actor,” as most are. He’s an actor. Tremblay’s mannerism, expressions, and inflection are insane for a seven year old (that’s how old he was at the time of filming).

Every single scene, Tremblay brought it. He had you screaming, COME ON JACK!” and having a heart attack during the truck scene, had you wanting to punch a kid during his tirades, had you reminiscing about your own childlike wonder and imagination as he described “his dog” Lucky and explained TV planets, and had you tearing up with a simple “I love you grandma” right before he cuts his strong. It was an incredibly complex role, so complex that a psychiatrist was kept on set from Tremblay (note: not sure if that’s true, but someone on the internet told me so it probably is. But the fact that it’s even believable says enough), yet somehow this seven year old pulls it off, expressing an innocence with a character that really never had any.

The only explanation for Tremblay not getting a nomination is the fact that Leo had to finally get his. That’s a conspiracy theory I’d subscribe to because nothing else makes sense. Tremblay was that good. If you haven’t seen Room yet, I highly suggest it. Tremblay should have gotten best actor and Brie Larson is going to get best actress. Incredible performances all around and definitely my favorite best picture nominee (Spotlight is a close second, haven’t seen the Revenant.)

Also, to all nine year olds, boycott the shit out of the Oscars tonight. You are criminally under-respresented.