The 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards: A Pivotal Moment in an Unpredictable Oscar Race
The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, set to take place on Sunday night, promise to be a defining moment in what has been one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in recent memory. With the BAFTAs, Producers Guild Awards (PGA), Directors Guild Awards (DGA), and Golden Globes already having aired their opinions, the SAG Awards represent the final piece of the puzzle before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) makes its decisions. Given that actors make up the largest voting bloc within the Academy, the choices of the Screen Actors Guild have historically been highly indicative of Oscar outcomes. This year, however, the race has been anything but predictable, with several films and performers rising and falling in prominence over the past few months.
The Battle for Best Picture: "Anora" vs. "Conclave" and the Rise and Fall of "Emilia Pérez"
Sean Baker’s Anora has emerged as the front-runner for Best Picture, thanks in large part to its victories at the PGA and DGA Awards, as well as a recent win at the Independent Spirit Awards. These wins have solidified its position as the film to beat heading into the Oscars. However, Edward Berger’s Conclave threw a wrench into the mix by taking home the top prize at the BAFTAs, a move that has added yet another layer of uncertainty to the race. Meanwhile, another once-promising contender, Emilia Pérez, has seen its fortunes fade dramatically after a strong initial buzz. The film’s unexpected rise and subsequent decline have only added to the drama of this year’s award season. As the SAG Awards approach, all eyes are on whether Anora can maintain its momentum or if Conclave can pull off a last-minute upset.
The SAG Awards: A Night of Questions and Possibilities
Hosted by Kristen Bell at the iconic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the 31st SAG Awards will be live-streamed on Netflix beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time, with an official pre-show kicking off an hour earlier. Last year’s ceremony, the first to air on the streaming platform, drew an impressive 1.8 million viewers, a number comparable to previous years when the event was broadcast on TNT and TBS. This year, the competition is fierce, with Wicked leading the pack as the most nominated film, earning five nods. While Wicked has yet to secure a major award this season, the Screen Actors Guild has a history of favoring populist contenders, which could work in its favor. The film is nominated alongside Anora, The Brutalist, Conclave, and A Complete Unknown for Best Ensemble, the guild’s equivalent of Best Picture.
A Nail-Biter in the Acting Categories
The acting categories at this year’s SAG Awards are shaping up to be some of the most competitive in recent memory. In the Best Actor race, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) has been on a hot streak, winning a string of awards that have positioned him as the front-runner. However, Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) are both strong contenders who could easily pull off an upset. The Best Actress category is equally unpredictable, with Demi Moore (The Substance) and Mikey Madison (Anora) going head-to-head in what promises to be a nail-biting finish. In the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldana (Emilia Pérez) are the ones to beat, though nothing is certain in such a tightly contested race.
Honoring Legends and Rallying for a Cause
In addition to the competitive categories, the SAG Awards will also take a moment to honor a true Hollywood legend. Jane Fonda will be presented with the SAG Life Achievement Award, a well-deserved recognition of her decades-long contributions to the film industry. Beyond the glamour and excitement of the ceremony, the guild is also using the event as an opportunity to address a pressing real-world issue. The devastating wildfires that swept through parts of the country earlier this year forced the guild to cancel its in-person nominations announcement and instead issue a press release. In response to the tragedy, the guild has launched a disaster relief fund to support SAG-AFTRA members affected by the fires. Producers have confirmed that the ceremony will include a tribute to those impacted by the wildfires, ensuring that the event is not just about celebration, but also about solidarity and support.
The Final Countdown to the Oscars
As the SAG Awards approach, the film industry is holding its breath in anticipation of what promises to be a pivotal moment in this year’s Oscar race. With so many questions still unanswered—Can Wicked make a late push and win Best Ensemble? Will Adrien Brody hold off Timothée Chalamet and Ralph Fiennes for Best Actor? Can Mikey Madison keep her momentum going and take home Best Actress?—the ceremony is poised to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. While the SAG Awards have a strong track record of predicting Oscar winners, this year’s unpredictability leaves room for surprises. One thing is certain, however: the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards will be a celebration of talent, resilience, and the enduring power of storytelling.
