SAG Awards lift Conclave & Moore’s Oscar hopes
Conclave dominated the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, shaking up the Oscars race just a week before the big night. The Pope selection drama won Best Ensemble Cast, solidifying its momentum after securing Best Film at the Baftas.
Demi Moore and Timothée Chalamet also emerged as key contenders. Their wins boosted their Oscar chances in a competitive field. Ralph Fiennes accepted Conclave’s award, praising director Edward Berger for his “perception, insight, and care.” Earlier, Isabella Rossellini sent well wishes to Pope Francis, recently diagnosed with pneumonia.
With SAG winners chosen by actors, the night celebrated community and solidarity. Fiennes highlighted the importance of unity in both filmmaking and life. Despite missing out on other awards, Conclave’s top honor strengthens its position ahead of the March 2 Oscars.
The Best Picture race remains unpredictable. The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez won at the Golden Globes, while Anora dominated industry guilds. Conclave’s SAG victory adds another twist, keeping the competition intense.
Moore’s Best Actress win for The Substance intensified an already tight race. She faces strong competition from Mikey Madison, the Bafta winner. Overcome with emotion, Moore called the moment “extraordinary and deeply meaningful.” Reflecting on her journey, she credited the acting community for shaping her career.
The Substance follows an aging aerobics instructor who takes a black-market drug to regain youth. Moore’s gripping performance resonated with SAG voters, positioning her as a serious Oscar threat.
Chalamet delivered another surprise, winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. He edged out Adrien Brody, the category’s previous frontrunner. In his speech, Chalamet acknowledged the years of effort poured into the role, calling Dylan an “incomparable artist and American hero.”
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, a film about two cousins reconnecting in Poland. He humorously thanked director Jesse Eisenberg’s sister for recommending him for the role. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña continued her dominance in the Best Supporting Actress category, winning for Emilia Pérez. She praised the film’s message of truth and love, emphasizing the power of storytelling.
Despite leading in nominations, Wicked left empty-handed. Anora, considered a Best Picture frontrunner, also failed to replicate its earlier wins. Meanwhile, Colin Farrell took home Best Actor in a Limited Series for The Penguin, joking about spreading COVID at the Golden Globes. He reflected on acting as a lifelong pursuit of understanding human nature.
British actress Jessica Gunning won for her role in Baby Reindeer, recalling her early days working an office job while dreaming of acting. She credited writer Richard Gadd for making her vision board aspirations a reality.
Shogun swept the TV drama categories, with Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai earning individual awards. Sanada called the show proof that “acting is a universal language.”
Only Murders in the Building won Best Comedy Series, leaving Selena Gomez stunned. “We never win, this is so weird,” she joked, promising to bring the award back for Season 5.
Kristen Bell hosted the ceremony, welcoming Los Angeles firefighters honored for their service during the recent wildfires.
Veteran actress Jane Fonda received the Lifetime Achievement Award. She reflected on acting’s power to open minds and challenge societal norms. A passionate union advocate, Fonda urged artists to stay engaged and fight for workers’ rights. She closed with a call for unity, emphasizing the need to protect the vulnerable and inspire a better future.
