Conclave and Timothée Chalamet Shake Up Oscars Race with SAG Awards Wins
The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards delivered unexpected twists that have left Hollywood buzzing just a week before the Academy Awards. Held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on February 23, 2025, the ceremony crowned Conclave as Best Ensemble Cast and Timothée Chalamet as Best Actor—two wins that have disrupted the awards season landscape.
Conclave Takes Top Honors
The Vatican-set thriller Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, clinched the night’s highest honor: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. The film, which dramatizes the election of a new pope, won amid real-world concern for Pope Francis, hospitalized with respiratory complications.
Accepting the award, Ralph Fiennes said, “I’ve been designated to speak on behalf of our ensemble. We share this with everyone who brought Conclave to life.”
Conclave also previously won at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), further strengthening its Oscar bid.
Timothée Chalamet’s Win Upsets Best Actor Race
In a surprising turn, Timothée Chalamet claimed Best Actor for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. This victory over frontrunner Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) positions Chalamet as a serious contender for the Oscar.
“This was five and a half years of my life,” Chalamet said during his acceptance speech. “Playing Bob Dylan was the honor of a lifetime.”
His win disrupts predictions that had favored Brody throughout much of the season.
Other Major SAG Winners
- Demi Moore (The Substance) secured Best Actress, further solidifying her Oscar chances after her Golden Globe win.
- Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) took home Best Supporting Actress, maintaining her awards season sweep despite controversy surrounding her co-star.
- Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) continued his dominance in the Best Supporting Actor category.
- Shogun triumphed in television, winning Best Drama Series Ensemble and acting awards for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai.
Zoe Saldaña’s Emotional Speech and Awards Momentum
Accepting her award for Emilia Pérez, Zoe Saldaña reflected on her 25-year journey in the industry:
“This is my community, my circus. I’m proud to be part of a union that lets me be who I am.”
Saldaña’s wins at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and BAFTAs now make her the clear favorite to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Political Moments and Tributes
The night also featured poignant political statements. Jane Fonda, honored with the Life Achievement Award, urged activism:
“We are in our documentary moment. This is not a rehearsal.”
Host Kristen Bell paid tribute to firefighters who battled California wildfires, which had earlier forced the SAG Awards to cancel its in-person nominations announcement.
What These Wins Mean for the Oscars
The SAG Awards often forecast Oscar outcomes, especially in acting categories. Over the past three years, nearly all SAG winners have gone on to win Academy Awards. Yet, with surprises like Conclave’s ensemble victory and Chalamet’s Best Actor win, this year’s Oscars race remains unpredictable.
With just days until the 97th Academy Awards, momentum has shifted. Films like Conclave and A Complete Unknown now hold stronger Oscar prospects. But as this awards season has shown, nothing is certain until the envelopes are opened on March 2, 2025.
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