Unbelievable Screen Moments: The Envy Awards Honor Weird & Wild Cinema Highlights!

On March 10, the Dolby Theater in Hollywood will host the 96th Academy Awards, where almost two dozen categories of outstanding talent will be honored. However, as we’ve observed at The Envelope throughout the years, not every remarkable performance, significant trend or breathtaking scene receives the recognition it deserves. That’s why we make it a habit to celebrate the best, the most shocking, and the most awe-inspiring films, scenes, and performers who undoubtedly merit a one-of-a-kind trophy (even if it’s only virtual). Welcome to the 2024 Envy Awards!

Speechless Performance Award
Kaitlyn Dever, “No One Will Save You”

In a couple of notable films from this past year, key — if secondary — characters were allocated practically no dialogue. One doesn’t even reveal his face! In “Air,” Damian Delano Young portrays Michael Jordan, the rising basketball superstar, but his parents do all the talking. He’s never fully seen and speaks only a few words. Yet, that pales in comparison to the solitary lead from “No One Will Save You,” played by Kaitlyn Dever. As an outcast living in solitude, she’s the only one capable of fighting off an alien invasion and their mind probes. Despite having almost no lines, Dever’s compelling performance, based solely on physical expression, takes us on a terrifying journey through days and nights.

Funniest Use of a Historical Figure
“Napoleon”

A Reddit user aptly pointed out that Ridley Scott’s historical masterpiece “Napoleon” is essentially “a rom-com continually disrupted by the ascent of an empire.” While the marketing did not hint at this, one can’t help but feel that the periodic humor was intentional. The future emperor delivers some seriously funny lines. For instance, he sarcastically complains to a British naval officer, “You think you’re so wonderful because you have ships!” Then, during a dinner with guests and his wife Josephine, he exclaims, “Destiny has granted me this lamb chop!” Indeed it did.

Surprising Comic Relief Award
“The Killer”

Typically, when David Fincher creates a film, “comedy” isn’t the first word that comes to mind. However, within “The Killer,” he pays tribute to a slew of classic sitcom characters. Michael Fassbender’s assassin character requires numerous aliases as he maneuvers around the globe — and, interestingly, many service people don’t bat an eye when he presents IDs with names from old TV shows — Felix Unger, Oscar Madison, Archibald Bunker, Howard Cunningham, Reuben Kincaid, Lou Grant, Sam Malone, George Jefferson, and Robert Hartley. Someone should at least have greeted the last alias with, “Hi, Bob!”

Unimpressed by Smoking Award
“Maestro”

Recently, there’s been a perplexing resurgence of smoking in films. While it may be for historical accuracy or plot relevance, the sight of characters smoking can be off-putting, at worst a tacit endorsement, and forever unpleasant. “Maestro” exemplifies this, with its main characters — Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre — literally exhaling smoke into each other’s faces within minutes of meeting, then chain-smoking for the next two hours. With no direct correlation drawn between their smoking habits and their eventual lung-related deaths, we’re left watching two glamorous A-list stars make cigarettes look appealing again. This certainly strikes a dissonant chord.

Best Chase Scene
“Cocaine Bear”

Could there be a more thrilling vehicle pursuit in 2023 than a bear chasing an ambulance — and catching up with it? Apparently, even panicking paramedics flooring the accelerator are no match for a provoked, drug-fueled bear with bloodlust. Accompanied by a Depeche Mode track, this was undoubtedly one of the year’s most extravagant scenes.

Most Unforgettable Clean-up Scene
“Saltburn”

Among the many skin-crawling scenes in “Saltburn,” one stands out. When house guest Oliver decides to clean a bathtub recently used by his fixation, Felix. Felix had been thoroughly enjoying his time in the tub, under Oliver’s covert observation, and after Felix leaves the room, Oliver creeps in to give the tub a unique scrub. With his tongue.

Exceptional Use of Nudity
Jennifer Lawrence, “No Hard Feelings”

Recently, nudity and sex scenes have made a comeback in cinema, with much attention given to Christopher Nolan’s use of both in “Oppenheimer.” Sure, there’s a typical bedroom love scene with Communist Party member Jean. However, the unforgettable moment is when the main character is being interrogated about his affair by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission — and suddenly he’s naked and having sex on a chair in the same room. Fantasy? Metaphor? Certainly, both. But undeniably … unexpected. Yet, it’s hard to top the scene in “No Hard Feelings” when Jennifer Lawrence’s character emerges from skinny-dipping to discover her clothes stolen — and proceeds to defeat the young thieves while completely nude. J. Law, you’ve been missed.