Kirsten Dunst Publicly Challenges Academy Decision Excluding Jesse Plemons From Best Actor Race
Hollywood star Kirsten Dunst has ignited a debate following the announcement of the 98th Academy Award nominations on January 22, 2026. She utilized social media to voice dissatisfaction after her husband Jesse Plemons was omitted from the Best Actor category for his acclaimed performance in Bugonia.
History of Acclaim and Prior Snubs Fuels Current Tensions
The exclusion of Jesse Plemons comes despite a highly successful awards season run, the actor previously secured the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Plemons plays Teddy in the film, a paranoid beekeeper who kidnaps a CEO, this role also earned him nominations from the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes. The film Bugonia itself performed well, it received nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress for Emma Stone.
This incident adds to a growing sentiment regarding the couple and the Academy, they were both nominated in 2022 for The Power of the Dog. Observers note that Dunst faced her own disappointment recently, she was left out of the 2025 race for her role in Civil War. This history suggests the recent social media reaction stems from ongoing frustrations with the political nature of film campaigning.
Instagram Activity Targets Voting Results and Rival Nominees
Dunst broke away from the traditional silence observed by actors during awards season, she shared multiple posts reacting to the news. She first reposted a story from comedian Stavros Halkias, a co-star in the film, the image showed a humorous threat directed at those who did not vote for Plemons. This initial post was seen as a lighthearted defense of her spouse.
The situation became more complex with her second share, she posted a clip from The Bluff Council podcast. The audio in the clip explicitly praised Plemons as being on a "Daniel Day-Lewis level" of talent, it simultaneously criticized fellow nominee Timothée Chalamet. The podcast host suggested Chalamet's performance in Marty Supreme was inferior, this direct comparison sparked immediate conversation online. The final list of nominees included industry veterans like Leonardo DiCaprio and Ethan Hawke, the Academy favored these established stars over Plemons' eccentric performance.
Public Reaction Divides Fans and Critics
The response to these posts has been mixed, many fans celebrated Dunst as a supportive partner willing to speak her mind. Others felt the reposting of specific criticism against a younger peer was unnecessary, they argued it violated professional norms. The incident has kept Plemons in the headlines effectively, this visibility often aids actors in future campaigns.
Online Discourse Shifts Focus to Industry Recognition Standards
This controversy highlights the difficulty character actors face when competing against transformative biographical roles. Plemons has now cemented a narrative as an "overdue" talent, this perception often leads to a makeup win in subsequent years. The couple remains active in high profile projects, Plemons is set to star in the upcoming Hunger Games prequel while Dunst prepares for her role in Roofman.
Awards season will continue with the ceremony later this year, the industry will be watching to see if this digital outburst impacts future voting patterns. Plemons remains one of the most respected actors of his generation despite the lack of a trophy.
