Why ‘The Fabelmans’ Should Have Won Best Picture

By Chad Comello

Everything Everywhere All At Once conquered the 2022 awards circuit with its quirky, multiversal charm. But what if I told you there’s a parallel universe where Steven Spielberg’s auto-biopic rightfully won the top Academy prize?

Here’s why.

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5. Spielberg is overdue

It feels strange to bemoan a lack of accolades for a two-time Best Director winner, but here we are: Spielberg is now officially under-awarded. Don’t be mad at me—the Academy did this to itself. 

4. Michelle Williams (not) FTW

If Spielberg is overdue for awards, then Michelle Williams’ claim is out to collections. Five nominations with no wins feels like a personal slight against me and I deeply resent it. 

3. A leading supporting cast

Judd Hirsch’s whirlwind appearance got a surprise nod, but the Fabelmanverse really fills out nicely with the likes of Seth Rogen, Julia Butters, Chloe East, and…

2. David F—ing Lynch

In an ending for the ages, the director plays another director dropping some true-to-life wisdom to another (future) director, who would spin it into filmmaking gold for decades to come? That’s interesting.

1. Gabriel LaBelle is LaBomb

This kid comes outta nowhere and not only plays the most popular director of all time, but absolutely nails it? Deeply weird of the Academy to nominate this movie for Best Picture without also nominating the central, essential performance that made it so good.