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Arts & Culture
24 February 2025

2025 SAG Awards Predict Oscar Contenders

Film and TV performances honored as industry leaders forecast Academy Award winners.

The much-anticipated 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards took place on February 23, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, presented by the talented host Kristen Bell. This ceremony, streamed live on Netflix, marked yet another key event during this tumultuous awards season, serving not only to celebrate achievements but also to forecast potential winners for the upcoming Academy Awards.

This year, the SAG Awards brought together industry veterans and promising newcomers to highlight outstanding performances across both film and television. The competition was fierce, especially with films like “Wicked”, which led the nominations for Best Ensemble alongside “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Emilia Pérez,” and “Anora.” The ensemble cast is traditionally seen as the linchpin for the Oscars, with SAG winners often setting the stage for similar accolades at the Academy Awards.

Throughout the evening, nominations honored not only individual excellence but also the collaborative spirit of acting. Featured among the nominees for Best Actress were iconic names such as Kathy Bates for her role in “Matlock” and Demi Moore for “The Substance.” On the men's side, Kieran Culkin's performance in “A Real Pain” positioned him as the favorite for Best Supporting Actor, following strong recognitions throughout the awards circuit.

Jane Fonda, the two-time Oscar winner and four-time SAG nominee, was celebrated with the SAG Life Achievement Award, recognizing her immense contributions to the industry. Fonda expressed her gratitude by stating, "I am deeply honored and humbled to be this year's recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award. There’s no honor like the one bestowed on you by your peers," showcasing the pride and weight of peer recognition.

The night also included several performances and tributes, echoing sentiments of unity among actors. Elizabeth McLaughlin, who produced the broadcast, encapsulated the collaborative ethos of the industry, remarking, "What actors do is a collaborative art... the actor statue is the same." This year’s statuette, lovingly referred to as “The Actor,” is handcrafted from bronze, symbolizing the dual roles of comedy and drama embodied by performers.

While the SAG Awards are themselves prestigious, they are often viewed through the lens of their predictive capabilities concerning the Oscars. The SAG Awards are noted for indicating trends and paving paths for Oscar nominations, repeatedly serving as one of the final indicators of which films and performances might take home the coveted gold statue. Inductions this year included strong competitors such as “Anora,” championed for its fresh take on romance, and other titles like “The Brutalist” and “Conclave,” which have garnered significant recognition at the Golden Globes and the British Academy Film Awards.

One film, “Wicked,” with its fantasy storyline and star-studded cast, has captured audience imagination, and the SAG Awards may solidify its standing. With performances by stars like Zoe Saldaña, whose role in “Emilia Pérez” has garnered attention, audiences eagerly await the outcomes as they could very well influence Oscar voting decisions to follow.

Kristen Bell, during the pre-show, mentioned hopes to provide laughter and normalcy, especially considering recent tragedies, such as the devastating LA wildfires. She said, "Then I thought, I know so many people who lost homes... All they're begging for is a night of normalcy and funny laughs." This heartwarming sentiment echoed throughout the evening, underscoring the importance of community and resilience within the entertainment industry.

The live streaming of the SAG Awards for the second year on Netflix marked another step forward for this coveted show, inviting broad audiences to witness the festivities and celebrated moments. With flying nominations, actors from various segments of Hollywood gathered, signaling not only their talent but the universal celebration of storytelling, the beating heart of the cinematic arts.

With the Oscars on the horizon, the outcomes from the SAG Awards serve as significant predictors. This year, all eyes are on the standout performances by Kieran Culkin and Demi Moore as they chase their first major wins, hoping to ride the momentum built throughout the season straight to the Academy’s big night. The excitement surrounding the SAG Awards showcases not merely awards but the vibrant community of artists aligning their work with the hopes and dreams of audiences everywhere.

The 2025 SAG Awards continued to be one of the key events during awards season, signifying not only recognition of artistic excellence but also the vibrant spirit fueling the film and television industry. For actors and industry professionals, the evening highlighted the alliances formed through shared vision and artistry, paving avenues toward the biggest night of the year as they glance forward to the Oscars.