Saoirse Ronan and the Elusive Oscar | Why She's Never Won 

Honestly acknowledging her work from such a young age is one of the fairest thing the Academy has ever done.

I totally agree. "Overdue" is one thing, but age means nothing. She's a great actress and has given some oscar-worthy performances.

She always gives Oscar-worthy performances, but I feel like I've yet to see that ONE career-defining performance that would make her a frontrunner to win like a Natalie Portman in Black Swan. I hope she gets that some day

You are not insane at all - an amazing performance is an amazing performance - whether 19 or 90. Saoirse has done some TRULY amazing award winning performances through her life so far.

She faced nurmeous tough competition every time she was nominated. I hope one day she win at least once in her career

Let’s not forget that Jodie Foster won 2 academy awards in lead by the age of 30 and the same for Hilary Swank who only won when nominated those two times. I think it’s wrong to judge an actor based on their age rather than merit. I really do hope she wins soon.

Saoirse Ronan is a very talented and terrific actress with great range in each of her performances. Even if she’s almost 30 and with 4 Oscar nominations, I believe her chances at winning an Oscar will happen at the right time.

13 years old and performed on the same level of the legendary Vanessa Redgrave😮. I was hooked since.

I wouldn't say she's "overdue" because she had some tough competition. But certainly she's not too young to get an Oscar. She is an amazing actress and it's really only amount of time before she stuns the competition and wins.

Gosh I think those comments actually also reflect the thinking of many Academy voters too, that Oscars can sometimes be more about recognizing an esteemed body of work rather than specific performances, but that’s what honorary Oscars should be for!! Certainly all 4 of her nominations were Oscar worthy and 🤞🏻🤞🏻plenty more worthy roles will quickly come her way!!

I had no idea how long she's been in the industry & how CONSISTENTLY GOOD she has been in almost every performance she has done since her debut. I think a lot of people dismisses her for an Oscar sighting her being "too young" because she's only been more commercial in recent years & she does come off as a very young person what with her more well-known roles playing teenagers. You know who really warrants winning an Oscar even though she's young? DAKOTA FANNING! NOT A SINGLE OSCAR NOMINATION.

Her performance in Hannah should have gotten her nominated. I can't imagine the hell she must have put herself through, undergoing combat training to get prepared for the action scenes, while also bringing a lot of depth to her character as a child soldier and the emotional turmoil she went through. Such an underrated film, made all the better Saoirse Ronan's excellent performance.

Sally Hawkins next!

Little Women because she upped her game yet again anchoring an ensemble cast that also had Meryl Streep and Laura Dern and according to Wikipedia and IMDB Ronan was born on April 12, 1994. June Allyson also starred in another film version of Little Women.

It's striking that none of her nominations since Atonement have been for biopics or for tragic issues-driven dramas, which are often the keys to victory. These films are all excellent, but they're not as emotionally taxing as the films we usually see win Best Actress. None of this is meant to slate anybody, I'm just saying it's impressive that she's been able to stand among lofty company for roles which don't feel like Oscar Bait. A less esteemed actress of her age probably would have gone unnominated for Brooklyn, Lady Bird or Little Women. They're not the easiest roles to earn presitge for. She's just that good, and that hard to ignore.

She is an astoundingly talented actress and fully deserving of all the praise that she has received thus far in her career. I look forward to seeing her career unfold further. I just hate that the Oscars have apparently become all about rewarding who is "due" in their career, rather than being based on the strength of the individual performance. I also hate that the biopics have such a stranglehold on the acting categories. I had definitely had my fingers crossed for Saoirse in 2019/2020 with Little Women and was disappointed but not surprised when Zellweger won (as much as I enjoy her in other things) but I would say that she was outperformed by Frances MCDormand and Brie Larson on her previous leading nominations. I haven't seen Michael Clayton or I'm not there so I can't judge her loss for BSA in 2007/2008. Having said that, her performance in Atonement truly was phenomenal!

One of your best videos yet! She is a phenomenal actress, and she should have, at least, one Oscar by now. My favorite performance is “Brooklyn”.

I think that it is very impressive that she has 4 Oscar nominations before turning 30. I think that she will win an Oscar one day . I think that she should be in consideration for The Lovely Bones for best actress.

I LOVE LOVE The Lovely Bones. It really stays with you - so haunting, terrifying, charming. The score is amazing and Jackson hit it out of the park with this as well as Heavenly Creatures - and lately although a documentary - They Shall Not Grow Old.

Jennifer Lawrence won her oscar because of Harvey weisten.

Good choice. The haters don’t know, youth is not a disqualification from worth.

It’s such a joy when you upload new Elusive Oscar videos. I really love this series. They’re insightful and entertaining. Any chance you can make an episode which features Kiera Knightley and Carey Mulligan? ❤

Look, I'm not saying that Brie didn't deserve the Awards for Room, but no one focuses on the fact that Brie shared the film with the actor playing her son, while Saoirse had Brooklyn on her shoulders alone.

Saoirse is definitely one of my favorite actresses. I'm sad she hasn't won an Oscar yet, but I believe her career will continue to give us great performances and she will eventually be celebrated by the Academy.

Unpopular opinion but I think Saorise should have won an Oscar for Atonement

Excellent retrospective on one of the finest actors to emerge in the last 15 years. She has delivered astounding performances in Atonement, Brooklyn, Lady Bird, Mary Queen Of Scots, Little Women, and Ammonite (plus I did really did enjoy her in See How They Run as well). Like you said, with the reception of Foe, she's not making it into the best actress race next year but I do see her eventually winning for a biopic performance (like it took Meryl 29 years to win another Oscar with a biopic performance) and she still has plenty of time to win an Oscar. She could even do so in a Geraldine Page sort of way by Oscar nomination number 8. Next request: Carey Mulligan since Maestro is coming out next month in theaters (and I just saw it at the New York Film Festival 2 days ago and let me tell you, she is INCREDIBLE. She shows the full range of her talents going toe to toe with Cooper and has heartbreaking scenes in the end. She is definitely getting nominated). Overall: another fantastic video, Brian! Thank you!

Just like my other sentimental favorites, Glenn Close and Amy Adams, Saoirse Ronan is talented and phenomenal. As long as she keeps working on the right projects, I know she'll definitely have her own sweet Oscar victory.

Brooklyn is one of the greatest movies and performances...

She's not overdue but I love her and her performances so I like the elusive video. I can't wait until she eventually wins. I remember being disappointed she wasn't nominated for The Lovely Bones.

No one can be as talented, hot, pretty, and lovely as Saoirse 🥰! Her not being in the Barbie movie was such a missed opportunity

I think what she needs that kind of role that you wouldnt imagine anyone playing that role but her.

If she can deliver another top notch performance in Blitz, that elusive Oscar will definitely be within her reach!

Thanks, Brian. I really liked her performance in "Brooklyn."

Ammonite looked like it had awards potential but didn't get any buzz, and just came and went without any fanfare. To be fair, it was released during a global lockdown, which certainly didn't help matters. But I imagine had it come out any other year, it might have given both Saoirse and her costar Kate Winslet a chance at that year's Oscars.

Meryl Streep Junior. I soooooo need her and Anya Taylor-Joy to do a movie or TV Series together. And you are NOT INSANE FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO. She’s so young but so talented. Her Oscar is coming but I do think that she’s going to get a supporting actress one first and then later down the line receive an best actress award. As long as Saoirse, Jodie, Jessie, Anya, and Florence win Oscars in the next few years then I’m good. They are just too good not to win anything and not to work together Gen Z’s acting Greats I tell you! They don’t play when they get in front of that camera they act the HOUSE DOWN. And throw in Mr Tom Holland they need a sitcom it just seems right. Orrrr Saoirse and Winona??? They could have given her an Oscar for “Little Women”. But I really want her to win her Oscar for another movie with the Great Laurie Metcalf I would love to see them both sweep the awards season together. I just don’t want Laurie to go without an Oscar she deserves one and so does Ronan.

tom holland, cameron diaz, kiera knightley, anna kendrick, blake lively, judy greer, zac efron, zoey deutch, troian bellisario, judy davis... so many ideas for your next one!

I hope she can win with a role using her natural irish accent

Saoirse should've taken that 2018 Oscar to this day I'm baffled as to how she didn't win.

I hope and I know that someday she will get her Oscar, I mean she's Saoirse Ronan?? Totally excited for Foe.

I love her! She's an amazing actress with an impressive career for someone so young. Her performance in The Lovely Bones is still one of my personal favorites. Very under recognized performance.

Mad to think she’s still only 29, her winning one really seems like a matter of when not if

Such a gifted and talented actress. Absolutely adore her. I will watch anything she stars in. She is definitely the best actress of her generation. There is no disputing that! Lets just hope and prey she doesn't follow a Glen Close or Amy Adams trajectory.

Good video. Loved Hanna.

“Brooklyn”, and “Lady Bird”

I had the feeling you were going to compare her to Winona Ryder! Let's hope that Oscar win does come sooner rather than later. Thank you for mentioning Jennifer Lawrence and Bree Larson, SR is definitely overdue when compared to them!

The Host so underrated. One of my all time favorites.

Nice advocacy and overview, Brian. I initially was also a bit skeptical about Saoirse being the subject of this. I guess when I consider her nominations, someone else had a better narrative, although I would have preferred Ronan over Larson. Perhaps it is the age bias, which as you point out didn't hurt Jennifer Lawrence or Brie Larson. I guess when it's you time, it's your time - except when its not - and AMPAS gives you an Honorary! When I think of overdue actresses I think of Annette Bening, Judy Davis, Laura Linney, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer and Amy Adams. But Saoirse is a tremendous talent and I hope she gets the 'right' vehicle in the 'right' year and it's hers!

Some suggestions: I'd like elusive Oscar videos about Carey Mulligan and Natalie Wood 😅 Anyone else interested? 😁

I love her so much. Out of all her nominations I would've given it to her for Brooklyn. Brie was great but Saoirse's role was so much more personal for me. The Little Women year I would've actually given it to Cynthia Erivo, and the Lady Bird year I would've gone with Margot Robbie (however I would've picked Metcalfe over Janney). The Atonement year, I have not seen all the performances so I don't feel fair saying who I would've given it to. Holding out for Blitz!

Would you able to make the kind of video about Laura Linney? She's three time Academy nominee.

I loved "Brooklyn" so much. (We all know she never stood a chance for it, but) I loved "Atonement" so much. (Big fan of James McAvoy, too.) I didn't love "Ladybird," but Laurie Metcalf was brilliant. I wish she would appear in more movies. I'm a huge fan of Wes Anderson's movies, but Saoirse Ronan's screen time in those is so limited. I have no doubt that she will get her Oscar. She's excellent.

Saoirse Ronan, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh are probably the young actresses whose careers I'm most excited to follow. It's crazy that she's just a few years older than me and already on her 4th nomination. It's also wild that she, Jennifer Lawrence, and Brie Larson were once upon a time nominated at the same time.

I have been waiting for this 😍 maybe Willem Dafoe in the future ❤

Atonement is such a great film. The ending is so shocking. The lonely bones is a great film also. I don't understand why the film bombed at the box office. I didn't like lady bird

Loved The Lovely Bones wonderful film.

One of my favourite actresses. You are right, 4 nominations under the age of 30 deserve a video like this. There are not many people who got 4 nominations under 30 (there are, but not many). And she just keeps being such a relatable celebrity, I just love her soo much... Her accents are perfect, her roles are so well chosen, I just want her to be successful... In any way, awards, critically or box office 😄

Sandra wasnt snubbed at BAFTA, se was nominated the next year because the Blind Side was not elegible the year the movie came out in the states

She is the most talented actor of our generation

She will surely win the Oscar....one day. She is a born actor by excellence.

She is overdue. Along with Amy Adams, Glenn Close, and Michelle Williams

Truly my favorite actress of all time. I want that Oscar for her!

"Captivating in 'Room'"? Nice wordplay there.

She's a really underrated actress. I haven't seen everything she's in but she's good no matter what. A movie is in safe hands with her performances and I can't say that about many young actresses these days.

Ronan should've won the Oscar for Lady Bird. Unfortunately, the Academy awarded rather one-note Frances that year.

I hate the whole age thing, if someone is deserving, they are deserving!

I love her and really need to watch more of her stuff.... But I remember really enjoying Hanna & The Way Back when those movies came out. My real question is will she be full Streep-level in 20 years.

She is fantastic

You are a better man than me Brian, because I can not understand the doubters. I mean at what age is acceptable for actors/actresses to start winning Oscars !?!?!? It's ridiculous, I can make cases that certain actors/actresses should've got nominations for performances they gave early in their careers. Point example Wil Wheaton in stand by me, was that not the best performance of his career ?? Or Kirsten Dunst in the movie interview with a vampire. And as for Saoirse Ronan I can make the case that she will be the Meryl Streep of my generation. She just need to make another film that can tap into that mainstream audience the same way lady bird did.

I loved her in “The Lovely Bones,” she was so sweet in that role… It was probably Peter Jackson and his “magic,” but it is deep performance. It is a horrific story, but it is beautifully told.

It's touching that you still consider the actors who win Oscars to have put in the best acting performance that year. I have ceased to follow these awards as the performances I enjoy the most rarely win. Saoirse Ronan is a delight to watch as an actress. I haven't seen all her films but certainly all the major ones. I'll watch a film because she's in it. And whilst I admire Margo Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence and others I'd much rather watch Saoirse act than them. Still, I'm used to being out of step with the mainstream. I hope she continues her work for many more years.

That’s my favorite actress 😊😊😊

She should have swept for Brooklyn. I loved Brie Larson in Room, but that always came off as a supporting performance to Jacob Tramblay’s leading performance in that movie. I would have been a solid year if Saoirse won Leading And Larson Supporting.

Stanley Tucci hating his only Oscar nomination is iconic.

Hands down my favorite performance of hers is Brooklyn! I was rooting for un upset that year, but it didn’t happen! We kinda knew Brie was the sweeper

I have a soft spot for On Chesil Beach and thought she was brilliant.

She shouldve won for Brooklyn, her best só far, couldve won over René too, but behind Scarjo

You are totally sane. She is extraordinarily talented. She should have been nominated also for Mary Queen of Scots. She deserves an Academy Award now!

You're not insane for doing this one, an Oscar can be elusive regardless of age!

Sometimes it seems like people lose simply because they haven’t won before. I know that sounds odd, but it’s as if voters ask themselves “is THIS the one we want to give it to them for?” and become more and more reluctant to break the streak. With Saoirse, it isn’t as if she snuck in as the #5 for any of her nominations. She’s easily top 3 with all of them and in a couple cases better than the winner.

OMG I love Hanna! Amazing movie!

I agree, you are not insane. She is on my list with Michelle Williams, Carey Mulligan and Amy Adams as overdue for an Oscar.

I think/believe Saoirse Ronan might get another nomination maybe next year for The Outrun or Blitz

How about a Keira Knightley and the Elusive Oscar video?

She has shown young or older she delivers,I'd have given her the award for Brooklyn although 3 of the other ladies nominated are worthy of a win esp Rampling,I have Emma Stone wining in 2017 for Battle of the Sexes her best ever performance,I am a Tilda voter in 2007 with Ronan as a close runner up,Little Women is any version is not a film that clicks with me and so I left her off my own Top 5,The Lovely Bones film lets her down in 2009,you're not mad that you think she's overdue.

Dude I am 100% on the same page as you with her.

Saoirse is one of my favorite actors. She reminds me of a younger Kate Winslet. I live every movie she has been. She shouldve won for Brooklyn but Brie Larson killed her role. She was my favorite part of the newest Little Women movie even though the 1994 version is my favorite adaptation of the novel. Hope she'll win one day soon❤

you should do a johnny depp one!!

Do one on Edward Norton next

Jodie Foster and Hilary Swank had two Oscar’s each by 30 so , no she’s not too young and definitely should have an Oscar by now for Brooklyn. She wasn’t going to beat Frances or Renee and her Atonement nomination was the best she could hope for.

Mary Queen Of Scots should nominate Saoirse Ronan (Best Actress) & Margot Robbie (Supporting Actress).. i know the film was kinda messy but come on their acting for Ronan & Robbie and Ammonite was forgotten immediately that time

Sassy Brian is my favorite Brian😂😂

She deserved an Oscar since Atonement

She deserves better

100% agree that she's overdue, but truly believe she'll get one at some point...recall that it took six nominations before Kate Winslet finally won, and Kate had four nominations before she reached the age of 30 as well; don't know what will happen with Saoirse this year, but maybe the historical drama with Steve McQueen will be the one

Have you done a Thelma Ritter video?

wtf people complaining shes too young are insane

I HOPE SHE WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNS

Whether you like it or not, Saoirse has been in some of the more memorable movies of the of the 00's and early 2010s. Her Oscar is warranted.

JUST GIVE MY GIRL HER OSCAR

Would you do elusive oscars for categories other than acting? If so, Greta Gerwig might be an interesting case if she doesn't get recognized for Barbie..