Blank Check with Griffin & David Critical Darlings: Hamnet And The History Of Oscar Villains with David Sims
Jan 15, 2026
David Sims, a film critic from The Atlantic and co-host of the Blank Check podcast, joins to dive deep into Chloé Zhao's Hamnet, which emerged as a surprise winner at the Golden Globes. They explore what makes a film an 'Oscar villain,' dissecting past examples and Hamnet's potential to muddle the awards season. Sims shares his mixed feelings on the film's heavy themes of grief while discussing how its storytelling compares to the source material. They also touch on the backlash against Zhao, her directing career, and the competitive landscape of this awards season.
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Hamnet As A Momentum Wedge
- Hamnet's Best Drama win can function as an awards-season wedge that splits attention from other frontrunners like Sinners and One Battle.
- That split can reshape perceived Oscar momentum even without directly influencing Academy voters.
Defining The 'Oscar Villain'
- An 'Oscar villain' is the film the media and public single out as a spoiler to a preferred narrative, often because it feels safe, predictable, or prestiguous.
- That label often reflects collective vibes more than strict merit and can be driven by resentment toward perceived conservative choices.
How Social Media Creates Villains
- Social media amplified the 'Oscar villain' concept, with peak examples in 2017 and the 2019 upset where Parasite beat 1917.
- These moments show cultural pushback can redirect Academy outcomes.
