Twenty-Seven Years Later, Billy Bob Thornton’s Last Oscar Nod Was for Sam Raimi’s Underrated Crime Drama

Billy Bob Thornton's Rise to Prominence in the 1990s

Billy Bob Thornton’s profile rose sharply in the 1990s, moving him from dependable character parts to a distinctive leading-man presence. After memorable turns in films like One False Move, Tombstone, and Dead Man, Thornton reached a new peak with Sling Blade (1996), which he wrote, directed and starred in.

Sling Blade and Its Impact

Sling Blade earned Thornton an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and a Best Actor nomination, and opened doors to higher-profile roles. Although he never recaptured that awards momentum, his supporting performance in Sam Raimi’s A Simple Plan secured another Oscar nod — the last one he has received to date.

Sam Raimi's Direction in A Simple Plan

Sam Raimi, best known for his influential work in horror with The Evil Dead series, took an unexpected detour with A Simple Plan. The film finds Raimi dialing back his trademark shock and slapstick to deliver a tightly wound, morally complex crime drama that echoes the bleak wit of the Coen brothers’ early work.

Plot Overview of A Simple Plan

A Simple Plan centers on Jacob Mitchell (Billy Bob Thornt...