Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s daring collaborations transformed them into Oscar favorites, redefining prestige cinema through risk, trust, and originality.

A Collaboration That Changed the Game

January 25, 2026 — When Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone first teamed up, few could have predicted that their creative partnership would turn them into two of the Academy’s most reliable favorites. Yet over the years, their collaborations have not only pushed artistic boundaries but also consistently landed at the center of awards-season conversations.

Together, Lanthimos and Stone have crafted films that feel daring, uncomfortable, and emotionally fearless—qualities that don’t always align with Oscar tradition, but somehow, in their case, do.

Image credit: the wrap

Finding the Perfect Creative Counterpart

Lanthimos built his reputation on unconventional storytelling, surreal humor, and an unflinching examination of human behavior. His films often resist easy interpretation, demanding full commitment from both performers and audiences. Stone, known early in her career for comedic charm and mainstream appeal, proved to be an unexpected but ideal match.

Rather than softening Lanthimos’ sharp edges, Stone leaned into them. She embraced risk, distortion, and vulnerability—allowing her performances to feel raw, strange, and transformative. In doing so, she reshaped how audiences and awards bodies viewed her range.

Image credit: Getty Images

From Risky Roles to Oscar Recognition

Each collaboration between the two pushed further into uncharted territory. Stone’s performances under Lanthimos’ direction challenged traditional notions of likability and restraint, often centering on characters driven by instinct, desire, and rebellion.

These roles demanded physicality, emotional exposure, and a willingness to abandon polish—traits that Academy voters increasingly reward when paired with artistic ambition. Lanthimos, meanwhile, benefited from having a leading actress capable of grounding his surreal worlds with humanity and precision.

Why the Academy Responded

Historically, the Oscars have gravitated toward performances that feel transformative, bold, and unmistakably authored. The Lanthimos–Stone partnership delivers all three. Their films don’t feel engineered for awards, which paradoxically makes them stand out in a field often crowded with calculated prestige projects.

Stone’s commitment elevated Lanthimos’ work to wider recognition, while his direction gave her the space to deliver career-defining performances. Together, they created a feedback loop: critical acclaim fed awards buzz, which in turn cemented their reputations as serious Oscar contenders.

Image credit: Getty Images

Mutual Trust as the Secret Weapon

At the core of their success is trust. Lanthimos gives Stone permission to fail, stretch, and explore uncomfortable emotional terrain. Stone, in return, commits fully to his vision—even when it defies convention or audience expectation.

That mutual confidence allows their work to feel cohesive rather than performative. It’s not about chasing trophies, but about shared artistic language—one that resonates strongly with critics and voters alike.

Redefining What “Oscar-Friendly” Looks Like

Perhaps the most surprising outcome of their partnership is how it’s expanded the Academy’s comfort zone. Films that once might have been dismissed as too strange or abrasive are now embraced as bold, visionary achievements.

By repeatedly showing that originality and awards success aren’t mutually exclusive, Lanthimos and Stone have quietly reshaped the definition of Oscar-friendly cinema.

Image credit: Getty Images

A Partnership Built to Last

As awards bodies continue to evolve, the Lanthimos–Stone collaboration stands as a blueprint for modern prestige filmmaking: fearless, actor-driven, and unapologetically weird. Their success didn’t come from playing it safe—it came from trusting each other enough to take risks.

In an industry often driven by formulas, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone somehow did the opposite—and became Oscar darlings anyway.