Ah, the Oscars—the glitzy night of stars, speeches, and, apparently, some pretty baffling mix-ups. This year’s head-scratcher? Two Academy voters reportedly skipped over Ralph Fiennes for his mesmerizing performance in Conclave because they assumed he already had an Oscar for Schindler’s List. Spoiler alert: He doesn’t.
Now, before we dive into the sheer absurdity of this, let’s talk about the man himself. Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (yes, that’s his real name, and no, it’s not a spell from Harry Potter) has been an acting powerhouse for decades. From the sinister and unforgettable Amon Göth in Schindler’s List (which earned him a nomination, but not a win) to the heartbreaking count in The English Patient, and, of course, the You-Know-Who himself—Voldemort in the Harry Potter series—Fiennes has practically been in every genre imaginable. Drama? Check. Action? Skyfall. Comedy? The Grand Budapest Hotel. Shakespeare? He is Coriolanus, thank you very much.
He’s also the kind of actor who can make even the most morally corrupt characters magnetic. Let’s not forget his chillingly poised M. Gustave in The Grand Budapest Hotel, a role that had us captivated by his charm even as he navigated a murder mystery. Or his turn as Francis Dolarhyde in Red Dragon, making serial killers unsettlingly compelling long before Mindhunter was a thing. Even his voice work in Kubo and the Two Strings was hauntingly beautiful.
But somehow, despite an illustrious career filled with jaw-dropping performances, he has never won an Oscar. Nada. Zip. And now, thanks to a couple of voters’ faulty memories, he might have been robbed yet again.
The problem here isn’t just that Fiennes missed out (again), but that Oscar voters—tasked with honoring the best in cinema—sometimes wing it when casting their ballots. Apparently, researching past winners is just too much work. And this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Other actors have been passed over simply because voters thought they had already won. Should the Academy start issuing cheat sheets? Maybe a pop quiz before voting? Just saying.
Fiennes’ performance in Conclave—a riveting film about Vatican intrigue—was widely praised. Some even called it a masterclass in acting. But alas, thanks to this minor yet significant blunder, his shot at Oscar glory fizzled out once again. Sure, he’s got BAFTAs and a Tony, but wouldn’t it be nice if the Academy finally gave him his due?
At this point, maybe it’s time for the Academy to introduce an honorary Oscar just for Oops, We Should Have Given You One Earlier. Fiennes, alongside legends like Glenn Close and Amy Adams (also inexplicably Oscar-less), would be first in line.
Perhaps the Academy could go one step further and create a ‘Best Performance By An Actor Who Should Have Won Long Ago’ category. They could invite nominees for a long-overdue face-off, complete with an onstage group therapy session where they air their grievances while sipping champagne.
Of course, Ralph Fiennes doesn’t seem like the type to lose sleep over it. He’s busy being, well, Ralph Fiennes—commanding the screen, directing, narrating audiobooks, and reminding us all why he’s one of the greatest actors of his generation. But, dear Academy, if you’re reading this, let’s do better next time. Maybe double-check that winners list before marking those ballots?
And if Fiennes does win in the future, let’s all promise to chant ‘Finally!’ as he walks up to that stage. Preferably while holding up a collective sign that says: ‘About time!’
