As a quizzer there is always a continuous stream of new information to learn. In this post we are going to be looking at all the things you need to know about the 2024 Best Picture nominees for your next trivia night or pub quiz.
I've tried to put together the things that are most likely to come up in a quizzing context. I have also tried to include the most relevant cast members as "Lead Actors", but wanted to keep the list relatively short so you may want to explore the cast more yourself once you're done here. You will also find any books the films are based on , writers, score composers, directors, a (very) brief synopsis of each film and any other information that I thought might be useful when answering quiz questions.
You will also find that each film has its own quiz so you can test you knowledge.
1. Maestro
- Lead Actors: Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein, Carey Mulligan as Felicia Montealegre (Burnstein's wife)
- Director: Bradley Cooper
- Writers: Josh Singer, Bradley Cooper
- Music By: Leonard Bernstein
A detailed biopic focused on American conductor, composer and pianist Leonard Bernstein, exploring his life, work, and complexities of his personal relationships.
2. American Fiction
- Lead Actor: Jeffrey Wright as as Thelonious "Monk" Ellison
- Director: Cord Jefferson
- Writers: Cord Jefferson
- Based on: Erasure by Percival Everett
- Music By: Laura Karpman
"American Fiction" centers on Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a black author who, frustrated by industry stereotypes, pens a parody titled "My Pafology" that unexpectedly becomes a bestseller. The plot navigates Monk's struggle with his newfound fame and the literary world's clichés, alongside the dynamics of his personal and family life.
3. Barbie
- Lead Actors: Margot Robbie as Barbie, Ryan Gosling as Ken, America Ferrera as Gloria, Mattel employee in the real world
- Director: Greta Gerwig
- Writers: Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
- Music By: Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt
A self-conscious blockbuster about Barbie, looking at her journey through an existential crisis and identity exploration.
4. The Holdovers
- Lead Actors: Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully, Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb
- Director: Alexander Payne
- Writers: David Hemingson
- Music By: Mark Orton
- Setting: Barton Academy boarding school, New England
"The Holdovers" is set in 1970 and follows Paul Hunham, a cantankerous teacher at an elite boarding school, who is left to oversee a group of students not going home for the Christmas holidays. The story focuses on his evolving relationship with one particular student, Angus, leading to unexpected personal growth and mutual understanding amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War and social change.
5. Past Lives
- Lead Actors: Greta Lee as Nora Moon, Teo Yoo as Hae Sung, John Magaro as Arthur
- Director: Celine Song
- Writers: Celine Song
- Music By: Grizzly Bear (Christopher Bear, Daniel Rossen)
"Past Lives" follows the story of childhood friends from Seoul who reconnect in New York years later. As adults, they navigate the complexities of their intertwined past and present relationships, exploring themes of love, destiny, and the paths not taken.
6. The Zone of Interest
- Lead Actors: Christian Friedel as Rudolf Höss, Sandra Hüller as Hedwig Höss (Wife)
- Director: Jonathan Glazer
- Writers: Jonathan Glazer
- Music By: Mica Levi
- Based on: The Zone of Interest by Martin Amis
"The Zone of Interest" tells the story of German officer Rudolf Höss overseeing Auschwitz and his family, who live in a house next to the concentration camp.
7. Anatomy of a Fall
- Lead Actors: Sandra Hüller as Sandra Voyter, Swann Arlaud as Vincent Renzi (Lawyer), Milo Machado Graner as Daniel Maleski (Son)
- Director: Justine Triet
- Writers: Justine Triet, Arthur Harari
- Setting: Grenoble, France
"Anatomy of a Fall" centers on the trial of novelist Sandra, whose husband Samuel Maleski dies after a fall from their home's balcony. The film intricately examines their strained marriage, with the courtroom drama uncovering layers of their personal and familial tensions.
8. Poor Things
- Lead Actors: Emma Stone as Bella Baxter / Victoria Blessington, Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn, Willem Dafoe as Dr. Godwin "God" Baxter, Ramy Youssef as Max McCandles
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Writers: Tony McNamara
- Based On: Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
- Music By: Jerskin Fendrix
"Poor Things" tells the story of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by eccentric scientist Goodwin Baxter. The film follows her adventures and misadventures as she navigates a world that views her as both a marvel and a monstrosity, exploring themes of autonomy, identity, and societal norms.
9. Killers of the Flower Moon
- Lead Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart (WWI Veteran), Robert De Niro as William King Hale, (Ernest's uncle), Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart (Ernest's wife)
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Writers: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese
- Based On: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
- Music By: Robbie Robertson
"Killers of the Flower Moon" depicts the Osage murders in the 1920s, where wealthy Osage Nation members in Oklahoma were systematically killed for their oil riches. The story centers on the investigation led by the newly formed FBI, delving into the deep-seated corruption and greed driving these heinous crimes, and highlighting the impact on the Osage community.
10. Oppenheimer
- Lead Actors: Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer (wife), Matt Damon as Gen. Leslie Groves (Director of the Manhatten Project)
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Writers: Christopher Nolan
- Based On: American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
- Music By: Ludwig Göransson
"Oppenheimer" chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist renowned for his role in the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb. The film delves into the complexities of his personal and professional life, exploring the moral dilemmas and profound impact of his scientific contributions on global politics and war.