The Screen Actors Guild (SAG Awards 2025) Awards delivered some of the most unexpected results of the season, shaking up the race for the upcoming Academy Awards. While Conclave emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing Best Motion Picture Cast, frontrunners Anora and Wicked were completely shut out. Voted by members of SAG-AFTRA, the SAG Awards are often seen as a key industry barometer, but this year’s results deviated sharply from expectations, leaving many questioning how they will impact the Oscars.
The Anora Shutout: A Major Awards Season Twist
Few films in recent memory have had as strong an awards run as Anora. Directed by Sean Baker, the Palme d’Or-winning film dominated nearly every major precursor, winning Critics Choice, PGA, DGA, WGA, and Independent Spirit Awards. Its lead actress, Mikey Madison, secured Best Actress wins at the BAFTAs and Spirit Awards, further cementing the film’s reputation as an awards heavyweight.
Despite this momentum, Anora left the SAG Awards 2025 empty-handed. While Madison was given significant screen time—kicking off the show with a heartfelt speech during the “I’m an Actor” segment and presenting clips alongside co-stars Mark Eydelshteyn and Yura Borisov—she, Borisov (who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor), and the film’s ensemble all lost their respective categories.
So what happened? Unlike the other major guilds that recognize direction, production, and writing, SAG-AFTRA members vote exclusively on acting. While Anora has been praised for its bold storytelling and directorial vision, some critics argue that its performances—while strong—were not as ensemble-driven as Conclave’s, which ultimately took home the night’s biggest honor. This raises a crucial question: Does Anora still have the momentum to win Best Picture at the Oscars, or has Conclave overtaken it as the new frontrunner?
The Wicked Disappointment: A Leading Contender Fades
If Anora’s loss was surprising, Wicked’s shutout was outright shocking. Heading into the night with five nominations, including Best Ensemble, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor, the film was widely expected to take home at least one trophy. Instead, it walked away with nothing.
While musical films have historically struggled at the SAG Awards, Wicked’s loss across the board suggests that it may not have the industry backing needed to carry it to Oscar glory. With its underwhelming performance at SAG Awards 2025, the film now faces an uphill battle as it heads into the final stretch of awards season.
Timothée Chalamet’s Surprise Best Actor Win
One of the night’s biggest upsets came in the Best Actor category, where Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) took home his first major win of the season. Prior to this, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) had dominated the category, winning at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and BAFTAs.
Chalamet’s portrayal of Bob Dylan has been widely praised, but Brody was considered the favorite after sweeping nearly every major award leading up to SAG. Chalamet’s win not only revives his Oscar chances but also introduces an element of unpredictability to the Best Actor race, which had previously seemed locked in Brody’s favor.
The Strength of Conclave: An Emerging Oscar Favorite?
While much of the night focused on snubs and surprises, Conclave quietly reinforced its status as a serious contender for Best Picture. Following its Best Film win at the BAFTA, the film continued its momentum at SAG, securing Best Motion Picture Cast, one of the most prestigious ensemble awards in the industry.
Historically, the SAG Best Ensemble winner has been a strong predictor of the Oscars’ Best Picture race—recent winners like Parasite and CODA both went on to win the Academy’s top prize. With Anora missing out, Conclave may now have the upper hand in securing Best Picture at the Oscars.
Other Major Film Winners & Takeaways
Demi Moore (The Substance) won Best Actress, marking a remarkable career comeback. Her role in Coralie Fargeat’s feminist horror-thriller was widely praised for tackling ageism and sexism in Hollywood.
Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) secured Best Supporting Actor, further solidifying his awards season run.
Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) took home Best Supporting Actress, with her acceptance speech emphasizing the film’s themes of truth and identity.
The SAG Awards 2025, voted on by actors, often diverge from other guilds, creating potential shakeups heading into the Oscars.
What This Means for the Oscars
With the SAG Awards behind us, the Oscar race is at a critical juncture. The Best Picture category is now wide open, with Conclave gaining momentum after its back-to-back BAFTA and SAG wins, making it a formidable contender. Meanwhile, Anora, once considered the strongest frontrunner, now faces significant uncertainty. While the film’s overall awards season dominance suggests it could still secure the Oscar, losing the SAG Best Ensemble category—an important industry-voted honor—may weaken its chances.
In the acting races, Timothée Chalamet’s win disrupts what seemed to be a sure path for Adrien Brody, leaving the Best Actor category in flux. Demi Moore’s victory in Best Actress further cements her remarkable comeback story, while Wicked’s failure to win any SAG awards dims its Oscar prospects considerably.
Ultimately, the SAG Awards have introduced new variables into the final stretch of the awards season, setting up an unpredictable and highly anticipated Oscar night. For a full list of SAG Award winners visit.
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