The 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards were held on Sunday night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, showcasing the best of film and television talent. Streaming live on Netflix, the event was infused with both celebratory moments and poignant political statements, underlining the dual nature of Hollywood as both entertainment and advocacy.
Hosted by Kristen Bell, the ceremony set the tone for honoring performances across various genres. Among the most notable winners was Kieran Culkin, who won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain. Standing on stage, Culkin quipped about the weight of the trophy, joking, "It is funny, the heaviest of all awards is being presented by actors". His acceptance speech was filled with charisma and humor, as he playfully criticized fellow actor Adrien Brody's lengthy acceptance speeches, stating, "I don’t think anyone could hold this for 45 seconds, which would be a lot of time, Adrien Brody". Culkin also expressed gratitude to Jesse Eisenberg and his sister Hallie for casting him without auditioning.
Another standout of the night was Jane Fonda, who received the SAG Life Achievement Award. Fonda, 87, delivered one of the evening’s most significant political moments. Speaking on the current social climate, she shared, "We are going to need a big tent to resist what’s coming at us". Her words stirred the audience, invoking the spirit of activism against perceived threats to democracy and social justice.
A highlight of the awards was the success of the FX series Shōgun, which won multiple awards including Best Drama Ensemble. Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai also took home individual accolades for their performances, solidifying the series as a frontrunner within television dramas. Meanwhile, the show Only Murders in the Building received the Comedy Ensemble award, with Jean Smart winning Best Female Actor for her performance in Hacks.
Much of the night’s proceedings were overshadowed by the environmental crisis of wildfires affecting the region. Bell's introduction acknowledged attending firefighters, calling them "the most attractive tables" among the sea of stars. Earlier this year, the Guild had to cancel its traditional, in-person nominations ceremony due to the disasters and even launched a disaster relief fund for SAG-AFTRA members impacted by the fires. Producer-driven political dialogues have taken on more urgency during awards seasons, reflectively shaping the narrative of such ceremonies.
The SAG Awards gave insight not just on individual wins but also served as indicators for the upcoming Oscars. With actors making up the largest constituency of the Academy, their choices can often predict Oscar winners. This year proved particularly unpredictable, with various contenders facing unexpected turns—most significantly, the rise of Anora alongside Shōgun.
Another notable win included Colin Farrell for his role as the titular character in The Penguin, marking his first SAG Award. The night also included moments of levity, with presenters and nominees sharing humorous anecdotes and brimming with support for one another, showing solidarity within the entertainment industry.
Audio glitches briefly marred the live broadcast, including interruptions during Fonda’s impactful speech, but overall, the streaming format allowed viewers to experience the dynamic atmosphere of the event from home. Unlike last year's stream, which focused on backstage interviews, the awards featured sporadic advertisements reminiscent of traditional broadcasts.
The ceremony showcased the importance of unity among artists and their ability to influence beyond the screen. Reflecting on the interplay of art and activism, Fonda poignantly concluded, "This is it. And it’s not a rehearsal"—an echoing reminder of the present moment’s urgency.
Overall, the 31st SAG Awards laid the groundwork for what could develop as one of the most interesting Oscar races to date. With Shōgun maintaining its dominance and fervor around various contenders, the events of the evening will resonate well beyond Los Angeles. It will undoubtedly be fascinating to see how these winnings translate at the upcoming Academy Awards.