The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday saw Conclave emerge as the biggest winner, securing the coveted Best Ensemble Cast award and solidifying its late-season momentum.
With just a week to go before the Oscars, the race for Best Picture remains fiercely competitive.
The gripping drama about papal succession continued its winning streak after claiming Best Film at last week’s BAFTAs.
British actor Ralph Fiennes accepted the SAG honor on behalf of the cast, praising director Edward Berger for his “perception, insight, and care.”
Earlier in the evening, his co-star Isabella Rossellini took a moment to wish Pope Francis a swift recovery following his pneumonia diagnosis.
While Conclave did not win any other awards, its victory in the top category positions it as a strong contender for the Oscars on March 2.
This year’s Best Picture race has been unpredictable, with The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez winning at the Golden Globes, Conclave securing the BAFTA and SAG Awards, and Anora dominating the industry guilds, including those voted on by producers, writers, and directors.
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Moore and Chalamet Shine in Competitive Acting Races
Demi Moore claimed Best Actress for her role in The Substance, adding another twist to an already unpredictable category.
The competition remains fierce between Moore and rising star Mikey Madison, who won the BAFTA for her performance.
Accepting her award, Moore reflected on the significance of receiving her first SAG card at 15, saying, “It gave me meaning, purpose, and direction.”
Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet surprised many by winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, edging out Adrien Brody, who had been a dominant force this awards season. In his acceptance speech, Chalamet expressed his deep commitment to his craft:
“The truth is, this was five-and-a-half years of my life. I poured everything into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, an American hero. It was the honor of a lifetime.”
Supporting Categories See Standout Performances
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, in which he plays one of two cousins traveling across Poland in memory of their grandmother.
The actor humorously acknowledged director Jesse Eisenberg’s sister for recommending him for the role.
Zoe Saldaña continued her dominance in the Best Supporting Actress category for Emilia Pérez, the Spanish-language musical about a Mexican drug lord undergoing a gender transition. Saldaña spoke passionately about the importance of storytelling in today’s world:
“Actors now, more than ever, must tell stories that are beautiful, thought-provoking, and within the spectrum of artistic freedom.”
Other Notable Wins and Moments
Despite receiving the most nominations, Wicked went home empty-handed, while Anora, a frontrunner for Best Picture, also failed to replicate its recent industry guild victories.
Colin Farrell, who won Best Actor in a Limited Series for The Penguin, shared a lighthearted moment with Jamie Lee Curtis, who announced his win by jokingly blaming him for giving her COVID at the Golden Globes. Farrell quipped in response:
“Guilty as charged! But Brendan Gleeson gave it to me first, so I was just spreading the love.”
British actress Jessica Gunning won for her role in Baby Reindeer, one of last year’s most talked-about TV series.
She reflected on her journey from working in an office to achieving her acting dreams, crediting her “vision board” that included inspirations like Cate Blanchett, Kathy Bates, and Jodie Foster.
In the TV categories, Shogun swept the drama awards, with Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai winning individual prizes.
Accepting the Best Ensemble in a Drama Series award, Sanada highlighted the show’s impact:
“With 70% of the dialogue in Japanese and subtitles, it was a gamble. But Shogun proves that acting is a universal language.”
Meanwhile, Only Murders in the Building took home Best Comedy Series, with a stunned Selena Gomez reacting to the win:
“We never win, this is so weird! I’m so grateful, and I’m bringing this back to New York for Season 5.”
Jane Fonda Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Veteran actress and activist Jane Fonda received the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, using her speech to champion the power of unions and community. Reflecting on her career, she noted:
“Acting gave me a chance to play angry women with opinions—something that was quite the stretch for me,” she joked.
Fonda closed her speech with a passionate call for unity:
“We must not isolate. We must stay in community, help the vulnerable, and project an inspiring vision for the future.”
With Conclave’s SAG victory shaking up the Oscars race, all eyes are now on Hollywood’s biggest night to see which film will claim the ultimate prize.
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