The stage is set for one of the most unpredictable Academy Awards seasons yet as the 2025 Oscars approach. Scheduled for Sunday, March 2, the 97th Academy Awards is ready to air live on ABC and stream on Hulu, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Leading up to the big night, movie buffs are poised to catch up on the year's top contenders and the controversies surrounding them.
This year, "Emilia Pérez," directed by Jacques Audiard, leads the nominations with 13 nods, marking the highest number for a film not made primarily in English. Its standing has, unfortunately, been marred by resurfaced offensive tweets from its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, who is vying for the Best Actress award. Gascón, the first openly trans actress nominated for this category, has since apologized for her prior remarks, but the shadow of her past continues to loom over the film's campaign.
The Oscars will also witness other tense scenarios around nominations, particularly for "The Brutalist" and "Anora." "The Brutalist," starring Adrien Brody, received ten nominations, including Best Picture, and has been highlighted for its innovative use of artificial intelligence to assist the actors speaking Hungarian. Meanwhile, the film "Anora" faces controversy for not employing intimacy coordinators during its filming of explicit scenes, which has raised questions about industry practices.
This year's Best Picture nominees present Hollywood's finest, from the musical extravaganza "Wicked" to the more serious films like "Conclave," all vying for the ultimate honor. With nearly 10,000 Oscar voters to please, it's anyone's guess as to whom they'll favor on voting night.
Expectations are high as film enthusiasts lock their predictions. Best Actor hopefuls include Adrien Brody for "The Brutalist," Timothée Chalamet for "A Complete Unknown," and Colman Domingo for "Sing Sing." Many fans believe Chalamet should win for his stunning portrayal of Bob Dylan, but Brody once again finds himself as the likely victor, especially after his peers honored him at the Screen Actors Guild awards.
Interestingly, should Chalamet triumph, he'd also become the youngest recipient of the Oscar for Best Actor, surpassing Brody’s previous record. What makes this competition more fascinating is the warm reception Brody has received for his deeply emotional performance as László Tóth, the Holocaust survivor and architect.
The race for Best Actress has similarly intense competition, with nominees including Mikey Madison for "Anora" and Demi Moore, who many believe will garner her first Oscar win for "The Substance." Moore's heartfelt and brave performance has won her acclaim as she tackles Hollywood's perception of aging, making her story resonate with audiences everywhere.
Best Supporting categories are equally compelling. Actors like Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin compete for their respective roles, with many experts predicting Culkin will take the lead role over Strong. Culkin's role as Benji, who embarks on a Holocaust tour, is expected to capture the Academy's hearts.
When we turn our attention to the Best Supporting Actress category, Zoe Saldaña from "Emilia Pérez" faces stiff competition from Felicity Jones and Isabella Rossellini among others. Saldaña's performance has shown impressive range and is already backed by buzz from awards seasons.
Beyond the acting nominations, there are significant milestones at stake. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, "The Substance" marks her as yet another female nominee for Best Director, continuing the trend of women vying for this prestigious Academy Award. If Fargeat wins, she'd join the ranks of only three women to ever receive the Oscar for Best Director.
This year’s ceremony might also set records for other aspects of representation, particularly with four Latino actors nominated across categories, including Colman Domingo and Fernanda Torres. This reflects broader shifts within the industry toward inclusivity.
A fascinating highlight of this year's awards features Diane Warren, nominated for her 16th time for the acclaimed song "The Journey." With such numerous nominations but no win to date, will Warren finally pull it off this time?
For viewers planning to tune in, the Oscars will broadcast live, starting with the red carpet events at 6:30 p.m. ET, where star-studded presenters like Halle Berry, Emma Stone, and last year's winners will grace the stage. This setup promises excitement and many treasured moments throughout the night.
Before the ceremony, fans can look forward to myriad musical performances by renowned artists such as Doja Cat and LISA of Blackpink, alongside nominated stars like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Their participation promises to add layers of brilliance and flair to the ceremony on the grand stage.
While the recent Los Angeles wildfires impacted the Oscars' planning, delaying nominations and pushing the Academy to extend voting timelines, the show itself remains resolute. The Academy planning has pledged to tribute first responders through various segments during the ceremony.
All factors considered, the 2025 Academy Awards are shaping up to not simply be a display of cinematic brilliance but also showcase resilience and representation within the industry. With historical wins awaited and some surprises likely, the Oscar ceremony promises to be one for the ages. Tune in to watch the celebrations and join the conversation with film lovers from around the world.