Hacksaw Ridge might just be the dark horse of the long, gilded journey we call awards season. The epic W. W. II film—Mel Gibson’s latest directorial offering, coming a decade after controversial behavior first obliterated his reputation—nearly swept the deck at the Australian answer to the Academy Awards Wednesday night. Ridge, which was partly shot in Australia, picked up 9 out of the 13 awards it was nominated for, including best film, best screenplay, and best cinematography. Gibson picked up the best-director award, and star Andrew Garfield picked up the best-actor award. Australia likes you, Mel. It really, really likes you.
Will all this have any impact on Gibson’s Stateside journey for awards recognition? Thus far, Ridge has earned great reviews from critics (including from V.F.’s own Richard Lawson) and has picked up accolades from various critics’ circles. It was recently nominated for seven Critics Choice Awards, trailing just behind other highly lauded favorites La La Land and Moonlight. The National Board of Review also named it one of their Top 10 films of the year (though Manchester by the Sea took the board's top honor).
The film has also done fairly well for itself at the box office, earning about $76 million worldwide. It neatly tapped into the Midwest and Southern faith-based audiences, Deadline reports—the same groups that made Unbroken and American Sniper huge hits. America and war, twin elements that will always coax box office dollars.
One telling sign of the film's awards trajectory will be the Golden Globe nominations, which will be announced on December 12. The main prelude to the Oscars could direct everyone's attention to the film—although Gibson might not be as keen on this particular awards ceremony, considering what happened last time he showed up there.
