Now on paper, a film like Scream doesn't scream "Oscar bait". But like how films like Bonnie and Clyde and Pulp Fiction changed the landscape for cinema in general, Scream changed the landscape for horror cinema. Much like how Pulp Fiction inspired many films to duplicate its success with its formula, there have been many teen slasher films made in the vein of Scream after its initial release.
One category that I might've imagined it being in the running for is Best Original Screenplay. Not only does it play with the conventions of the horror genre, but it finds a neat balance between laughs and scares while giving its characters plenty of depth while incorporating elements of romance and mystery as well. Another category I would've considered nominating it for is Best Actress for Neve Campbell. The genius of her portrayal is how she takes her Final Girl character and gives her such complexity. While her Sidney is strong-willed and compassionate, she is still quite vulnerable and unsure of herself. Thankfully, she still won the Saturn Award for Best Actress, so she didn't go unnoticed. There is also Best Original Score for composer Marco Beltrami's luminous yet haunting score and of course, Best Picture. If you put it alongside Fargo and Jerry Maguire, you have quite a memorable lineup. In my opinion, Scream's reputation has certainly aged better than the film that actually won that shall not be named.
So those are my thoughts on why Scream should've gotten some Oscar love. If you agree or disagree, please feel free to write your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
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