
The Oscars have always had their share of controversial winners. Back in 1970, many viewers protested when John Wayne, known for his racist views, won Best Actor for True Grit. Later, fans of director Martin Scorsese felt unfairly treated when films like Ordinary People and Dances With Wolves won over his acclaimed movies, Raging Bull and GoodFellas. However, the idea of a clear “Oscar villain” really took hold in the late 2010s, fueled by the anxieties of the Trump era. Each year, one nominated film became a symbolic stand-in for the president, allowing online movie fans to express their frustrations. Films like La La Land, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Green Book, and Joker all faced this kind of backlash. It was a tense time, and it felt strangely comforting to see these symbolic “villains” defeated – as if it meant there was hope for overcoming the challenges of the era.