The 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony, held this past Sunday, was filled with unexpected twists and moments of poignancy as the industry honored its finest talents just one week before the Oscars.
This year’s awards saw Timothée Chalamet emerge as the surprise winner for Best Male Actor, taking home the statue for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in the film, A Complete Unknown. Chalamet’s win was especially noteworthy, as he upset favorites such as Adrien Brody, who had dominated the awards season with his performance in The Brutalist. Chalamet expressed his gratitude during his acceptance speech, saying, “I was not expecting this at all, truly. I poured everything I had in playing this incomparable artist.”
Demi Moore also garnered attention with her heartfelt victory for Best Female Actor, awarded for her role in the body horror film The Substance. She triumphed over tough competition from Mikey Madison of Anora and Cynthia Erivo of Wicked, and dedicated her win to “that little girl who didn’t believe in herself,” leaving the audience emotionally moved.
The ensemble category saw Conclave, the thriller centered around papal elections, take home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, beating out other contenders such as Wicked and Anora. Ralph Fiennes, who stars as Cardinal Lawrence, spoke eloquently about the value of community and the inclusivity of storytelling.
Meanwhile, Shōgun continued to dominate, capturing four awards, including Best Male and Female Actor, with Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai earning accolades for their exceptional performances. Sawai noted her surprise and joy, calling the success “beyond my imagination.” The evening also included wins for the supporting actors, with Kieran Culkin taking the prize for Best Supporting Male Actor for his role in A Real Pain, adding yet another feather to his cap after sweeping the Golden Globes and BAFTAS.
Indeed, the SAG awards often serve as key indicators for the Oscars. Historical trends show correlations between SAG winners and future Oscar beneficiaries, adding to the stakes of the night—especially as this year’s ceremony approached the upcoming Academy Awards scheduled for March 2, 2025.
Among the surprises, Martin Short claimed the Best Male Actor award for his comedic talent displayed in Only Murders in the Building, above expected favorites like Jeremy Allen White and Harrison Ford. Short's co-star Selena Gomez humorously noted on stage, “Wait, we never win, this is so weird!”
Unfortunately, the typically glamorous red carpet atmosphere lacked flair this year, with critics noting the boring fashion choices, likening many male attendees to 'cater waiters.' The ceremony also faced critique for how it handled the recognition of stunt performers, as their awards were presented on the red carpet instead of during the main event, sparking discussions around their contributions to filmmaking.
Jane Fonda was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, where she reflected on her unconventional career, saying, “This means the world to me,” and noted the current political climate, urging attendees to be brave. “Woke just means you give a damn about other people,” she added, reminding everyone of the importance of social awareness.
The evening concluded with Kristen Bell serving as host, who opened with heartfelt thanks to Los Angeles firefighters for their bravery during recent wildfires. Her light-hearted yet respectful monologue set the tone for what turned out to be both celebratory and reflective moments for the television and film industry.
While the SAG Awards may be just one part of the awards season puzzle, their significance cannot be overstated. With the Oscars looming just around the corner, winners and losers alike will be keeping a close eye on the reactions and sentiments expressed during the SAG ceremony as they navigate the final stretch of this rewarding season.