'12 Years a Slave' Oscar Screening Prompts Walkouts; Is 'Gravity' the Front-Runner for Best Picture?

"12 Years a Slave's" front-runner position for the Oscar may be ending after Sunday's Academy screening prompted walkouts.

According to the Wrap Sunday's screening at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater was half-full and "while members reported that the applause was robust for the film, particularly for director Steve McQueen and its principal actors, the movies' relentless violence also prompted a few walkouts, and left some voters visibly disturbed."

Voters also compared the empty screening to other films which have already been screened for the Academy. The wrap reported, "several members who attended the screening immediately mentioned the size of the crowd, which was not only smaller than the 'Gravity' screening but also smaller than the recent audiences for 'Captain Phillips.'"

One voter also said, "I really don't know what wins now."

"12 Years a Slave" has been hailed the best film of the year after having won the Toronto Film Festival Audience Award. The film received universal praise with many proclaiming it the film to beat at the Oscars. However, in recent screenings many pundits have cautioned that the movie's brutality may end up hurting the film's chances at winning best picture.

"12 Years a Slave" tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, who is abducted and sold into slavery. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong'o, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Giamatti.

Fox Searchlight will the release "12 Years a Slave" on Oct. 18 in 18 theaters. "12 Years a Slave" is rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality.