Martin Scorsese’s much talked about Netflix drama The Irishman has been named the best film of 2019 by the National Board of Review.

The Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci starrer can also help Netflix land its first-ever Oscar for Best Picture as it is a step ahead in the Academy Awards race.  

After announcing this news on Tuesday,  NBR president, Annie Schulhof mentioned in a statement, 

We are thrilled to award The Irishman as our best film. Martin Scorsese’s masterful mob epic is a rich, moving, beautifully textured movie that represents the best in what cinema can be. 

Netizens lauded this decision as well. 

The movie has received amazing reviews with a 96 percent freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is currently streaming on Netflix after hitting theaters on November 1st.