OBAA was technically well executed but, to me, pretty fucking soulless.
I haven't seen all the nominees, but the ones I did see -- Train Dreams and Sinners -- were, to our eyes, profoundly better films than OBAA. I'm in particular interested in seeing Hamnet soon; everything I read about it puts it in the same category as TD and S.
OBAA was the safe Academy pick, and so that's what they picked.
i thought Sinners was so overhyped. mediocre performances (great music!) and a terrible plot (why were the vampires forced to ask for permission to enter, and then able to storm the building a few scenes later? was there no better way to resolve that then just forget about it)
loved OBAA (incredible pacing!) but had its flaws too
> why were the vampires forced to ask for permission to enter
Part of well established lore.
> and then able to storm the building a few scenes later?
Because the wife who just saw her husband killed invited them in because she wanted revenge.