Isabella Rossellini has made headlines with her nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Academy Awards, marking her first chance to secure the prestigious Oscar for her performance in the film Conclave. Set to take place on the night between March 2 and March 3, 2025, the ceremony brings heightened anticipation, especially within the competitive environment for the acting awards.
Rossellini, known for her work with celebrated directors like David Lynch and Guy Maddin, has captivated Hollywood once again with her role, even though her screen time was just seven minutes and 51 seconds. Against her, Zoe Saldaca is the current frontrunner for her role as Rita, a transformative character, in the well-acclaimed film Emilia Pérez, and has been racking up awards, including victories at the Golden Globes, BAFTAS, and SAG Awards. Saldaca's overwhelming momentum might make it appear as though she is nearly guaranteed the Oscar, but some Oscar watchers are hedging their bets on Rossellini.
Oscar experts, including Clayton Davis from Variety, have been discussing the potential for surprises at this year’s awards. “I’m going to put as my no guts, no glory prediction... she’s getting a lot of votes on anonymous ballots,” Davis remarked, highlighting Rossellini’s unexpected rise among older voters who resonate with her performance. The expert noted the trend of older voting academicians favoring her contributions, which could aid Rossellini’s chances, regardless of Saldaca’s recent accolades.
While the other pundits agree on Saldaca’s strong position due to her sweep of earlier awards, they are also intrigued by the possibility of Rossellini’s upset. Some argue the situation reflects the Oscars' historical unpredictability, where previously favored contenders have seen their wins slip through their fingers due to surprising voting patterns.
Isabella Rossellini, often seen as underrated, has been viewed as deserving recognition after years of acclaim and impactful roles across the silver screen. Her brief but impactful performance has rekindled interest and enthusiasm among viewers. Despite being overshadowed by Saldaca’s omnipresence throughout this awards season, Rossellini's nomination has sparked significant conversations, especially among her long-term fans and supporters.
On the male side, discussions about the Best Supporting Actor category see Kieran Culkin of A Real Pain as virtually assured to claim the award, reflecting his achievements this season. The performances from highly regarded talent such as Adrien Brody (who is nominated for The Brutalist) and his immersive method acting make this year’s competition for all awards fierce. Observers expect the results to align clearly with the season’s trends, signaling what many perceive as already established contenders.
Industry insiders speculate on several variables impacting the final voting, including the emotional weight of performances and earlier wins. While Culkin’s fanbase builds strong momentum, it is Rossellini's unique situation—a silent observer witnessing change—that fuels conversations, making her yield considerable curiosity, primarily due to the Academy's often unpredictable selections.
Discussions surrounding voting methods reinforce the significance of sentiment, illustrating how certain performances resonate uniquely with guild members. Rossellini's filmography, marked by character-defining roles, solidifies her as not only influential but also highly respected within Hollywood circles.
Regardless of the outcome, her nomination for this year’s Oscar is celebrated as both impressive and historic, shining light on the film Conclave and its portrayal of complex narratives. The enthusiasm surrounding the evening suggests anticipation for surprises, as voters wield their ballots and the Oscar winner emerges. Will Rossellini’s understated resurgence lead her to victory, or will the favored Saldaca continue her streak? Only time will tell.
With the awards just around the corner, the conversation leans heavily on what shape the outcomes may take — will there be derivations from prevailing favorites, or does tradition stand strong? This year's event is likely to be marked by discussions not just of winners, but of the stories behind unprecedented nominations and the narratives crafted along this lengthy awards path.