In order to see what audiences think of the Academy Awards, we decided the best course of action was to reach out to our friends, families, co-workers, and more to get their opinions on the Oscar race this year. While general audiences have no overlap with Academy membership, it’s nice to get some clarity where some people outside the #FilmTwitter space are landing on the films in contention and the Oscars overall.

Our latest Audience Audit comes from Cayla, who lives in Kentucky.  She’s in her late twenties and is a health sciences librarian. Cayla wants the readers to know that she doesn’t know anything about movies, but she’s excited to be here. We asked her about her thoughts on 2023 films, the Oscars telecast, and more!

Offscreen Central: Do you watch the Oscars each year?
Cayla: I have for the past couple years but I always stop watching around 10 p.m. so I can go to bed on time.  

Offscreen Central: Does it make a difference to you who the host of the Oscars is?
Cayla: Nope! I usually just watch it regardless if I remember it is on..

Offscreen Central: Of the Best Picture nominees this year, which have you seen?
Cayla: I have only seen Barbie, and I did love it!

Offscreen Central: For the films you haven’t seen, are you interested in seeing them now that they have received a Best Picture nomination?
Cayla: I plan on watching Killers of the Flower Moon at some point, and I had previously heard about Poor Things from some friends. I don’t know much about the other nominees so I can’t say if I would watch them!

Offscreen Central: Do you have any idea who is a frontrunner to win an acting Oscar?
Cayla: No idea, haha.

Offscreen Central: Do you have people that you would prefer to see win an acting Oscar this year?
Cayla: Yes!! I want to see Lily Gladstone and America Ferrera win. I love them both.

Offscreen Central: Barbie and Oppenheimer were cultural phenomenons on their own.  Do you care if either of them win Oscars?
Cayla: I didn’t see Oppenheimer, but I would like to see Barbie win something. 

Offscreen Central: What are some of your favorite movies from 2023?
Cayla: Godzilla Minus One was the best movie I saw last year. I also watched Red, White, and Royal Blue and The Iron Claw, which are two very different movies, but both very good. 

Offscreen Central:  What 2024 films are you excited to see this year?
Cayla: I do think there is another Godzilla movie coming out this year which I’ll see. I have also heard that Madame Web is the best movie of the year, so I will probably watch that one too.