Every year, like clockwork, there’s a film that has a ton of hype that doesn’t screen at any of the fall film festivals but shows up at the last minute and drops a bomb on the entire Oscars race. Last year, we saw “Vice” do just that, as the Adam McKay film came in at Christmas and cemented itself as a major awards contender. This year, that film seems to be “Bombshell,” with early reactions pointing to one of the best films of the year, featuring some Oscar-worthy performances.
Directed by Jay Roach, “Bombshell” tells the true story of the turmoil behind the scenes at Fox News between a group of female employees and the network’s boss Roger Ailes. The claims of sexual misconduct rocked Fox News in 2016 and featured some of the biggest names on the network including Gretchen Carlson and Megyn Kelly. And the film, which features an all-star cast including Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, and Charlize Theron, recently screened for critics, who are saying the film could be a late addition to the awards season discussion.
READ MORE: ‘Bombshell’: Charlize Theron & Margot Robbie Are An Oscar Revelation
Our own Gregory Ellwood, who wrote a whole piece about the film’s Oscar chances, tweeted, “Charlize Theron is uncanny as Megyn Kelly in Bombshell. It’s uncanny. I’m still awestruck. She and Margot Robbie are incredible.”
Most of the other reactions follow a similar story, with endless praise for Theron, specifically. Also getting some shoutouts are the makeup effects that turned the actors into spitting images of their real-life counterparts. It would appear that the folks responsible for the makeup effects will get some awards love, as well.
READ MORE: So Let’s Really Talk About ‘Joker’ In The Best Picture Race [Contender Countdown]
We still have to wait a bit until full reviews are posted, but we can fully expect “Bombshell” to have some strong buzz leading into its theatrical debut on December 20.
Charlize Theron is uncanny as Megyn Kelly in Bombshell. It’s uncanny. I’m still awestruck. She and Margot Robbie are incredible. #Bombshell
— Gregory Ellwood – VOTE – The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) October 14, 2019
Wow. @CharlizeAfrica as Megan Kelly. Well, she just entered the Oscar race big time. #bombshell
— Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin) October 14, 2019
BOMBSHELL will make a convincing case for the VICE slot in the Best Picture race. Everything here is double-underlined (when the dominoes start to fall for the Murdochs, we literally see a character flick a domino over) but it plays effectively
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) October 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/AwardsDaily/status/1183590438864744451
https://twitter.com/jenelleriley/status/1183589482387238914
What a welcome back from vacay…hopped off a plane at LAX to get to this special screening of #Bombshell with @CharlizeAfrica #NicoleKidman & @MargotRobbie 🏆 Bottom line: the film is tremendous, emotional & powerful. This trio is SUPERB. So moved, mad & inspired all at once 🏆 https://t.co/sCYRrBseX7
— Angelique Jackson (@angelique814) October 14, 2019
#Bombshell is fascinating: a spiky, rollicking & relentless legal thriller. I love how morally complex the filmmakers and actors allow the characters to be; they're not the heroines you expect, they're just trying to do right. Charlize is unreal & Kazu Hiro's makeup is insane.
— Katie Walsh (@katiewalshstx) October 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/timgray_variety/status/1183610984117587968
https://twitter.com/THRMattBelloni/status/1183594675405373441
