HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 10, 2023) — The Banshees of Inisherin – director Martin McDonagh’s study of friends and family on an Irish island – and Everything Everywhere All at Once – an irreverent look at the possibilities of the multiverse – lead nominees for the 15th annual awards from the Houston Film Critics Society. Both films are nominated for nine honors including Best Picture of 2022.
Other films competing for the top award are Elvis, a fresh take on a performer’s life; The Fabelmans, a personal look at a filmmaker’s beginnings; Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, a unique recreation of a classic tale; RRR, an epic exploration of revolutionaries; Tár, an intense study of a conductor’s drive; Till, a moving commentary on a mother’s grief; Top Gun: Maverick, a return to escapist entertainment from a different time; and Women Talking, a brave consideration of how people confront fear.
“As the industry continues to debate how we should experience the magic of film, moviemakers continue to imagine creative stories about compelling people,” says Douglas Harris, HFCS President. “This year, the films we honor showcase a community daring to rethink, refresh and reinvent.”
Nominated as the year’s Best Actors are Austin Butler for bringing Elvis to life, Tom Cruise for taking us back to the 1980s in Top Gun: Maverick, Colin Farrell for examining the impact of isolation in The Banshees of Inisherin, Brendan Fraser for addressing personal challenge in The Whale, and Jeremy Pope for daring to make his voice heard in The Inspection.
Competing for Best Actress are Cate Blanchett as a conductor who thrives on tension in Tár, Viola Davis as a leader determined to protect her people in The Woman King, Danielle Deadwyler as a mother dedicated to sharing the lessons of tragedy in Till, Emma Thompson as a free thinker releasing her inhibitions in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, and Michelle Yeoh as a laundromat owner learning to express anger in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
“The range of performances this year illustrate what actor and creator can deliver when they free themselves to imagine,” says Travis Leamons, HFCS Secretary. “It’s difficult to remember a year where each performance could capture the final awards. The nominees are especially strong in 2022.”
An annual highlight of the ceremony will be the presentation of the Texas Independent Film Award, honoring the best of film made in the Lone Star State. This year’s nominees explore the choices of youth in Acid Test, a fascination with outer space in Apollo 10-1/2: A Space Age Childhood, the hopes of would-be parents in Conception, the natural beauty of the Lone Star State in Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story, and the extraordinary life of a legendary athlete in Facing Nolan.
All winners will be announced at the Society’s annual awards celebration, Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH). For details, and ticket information, visit www.HoustonFilmCritics.com.
About the Houston Film Critics Society
The 39 members of the Houston Film Critics Society are working film journalists on television, radio, online and in traditional print. Together, they reach millions of people each week across the United States with their critiques and commentaries on film. The organization’s mission is to promote the advancement and appreciation of film in the Houston community and beyond.
2022 Houston Film Critics Society Nominees
Best Picture
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Fabelmans
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
RRR
Tár
Till
Top Gun: Maverick
Women Talking
Best Director
The Banshees of Inisherin, Martin McDonagh
Elvis, Baz Luhrmann
Everything Everywhere All at Once, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg
Tár, Todd Field
Women Talking, Sarah Polley
Best Actor – Leading Role
Austin Butler, Elvis
Tom Cruise, Top Gun: Maverick
Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin
Brendan Fraser, The Whale
Jeremy Pope, The Inspection
Best Actress – Leading Role
Cate Blanchett, Tár
Viola Davis, The Woman King
Danielle Deadwyler, Till
Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Actor – Supporting Role
Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin
Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin
Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Mark Rylance, Bones and All
Ben Whishaw, Women Talking
Best Actress – Supporting Role
Jesse Buckley, Women Talking
Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin
Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Janelle Monáe, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Best Screenplay
The Banshees of Inisherin, Martin McDonagh
Everything Everywhere All at Once, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner
Tár, Todd Field
Women Talking, Sarah Polley and Miriam Toews
Best Animated Feature
Apollo 10 1⁄2: A Space Age Childhood
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Turning Red
Best Cinematography
Avatar: The Way of Water, Russell Carpenter
Babylon, Linus Sandgren
Nope, Hoyte Van Hoytema
The Fabelmans, Janusz Kamiński
Top Gun: Maverick, Claudio Miranda
Best Documentary
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Bad Axe
Fire of Love
Good Night Oppy
Navalny
Best Foreign Language Feature
All Quiet on the Western Front
Argentina, 1985
Close
Decision to Leave
RRR
Best Original Score
Babylon, Justin Hurwitz
The Banshees of Inisherin, Carter Burwell
Empire of Light, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
The Fabelmans, John Williams
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Alexandre Desplat
Women Talking, Hildur Guðnadóttir
Best Original Song
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Lift Me Up, Ludwig Göransson, Tems, Rihanna
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Ciao Papa, Alexandre Desplat, Guillermo del Toro, and Roeban Katz
RRR, Naatu Naatu, Kala Bhairava, M. M. Keeravani, and Rahul Sipligunj
Till, Stand Up, Jazmine Sullivan and Dermset “D’Mile” Emile II
Top Gun: Maverick, Hold My Hand, Lady Gaga, BloodPop, Ryan Coogler, and Benjamin Rice
Best Visual Effects
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Batman
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
RRR
Top Gun: Maverick
Best Stunt Coordination Team
The Batman
Everything Everywhere All at Once
RRR
Top Gun: Maverick
The Woman King
Best Ensemble Cast
The Banshees of Inisherin
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Fabelmans
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Women Talking
Texas Independent Film Award
Acid Test
Apollo 10 1⁄2: A Space Age Childhood
Conception
Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story
Facing Nolan
