SAG Awards Propel Conclave and Stars Forward in Oscar Race

With the SAG Awards drawing to a close, industries and fans alike now find excitement in the closely contested Oscar race that follows.

Conclave emerged as the standout at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, winning the prestigious best ensemble cast award and building momentum ahead of the Oscars. Just a week before the Academy Awards, this win adds weight to the film's growing recognition, following its recent triumph at the BAFTAs. Other notable winners included Demi Moore for her role in The Substance, and Timothée Chalamet for portraying Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, both of whom saw their Oscar prospects enhanced by these victories.

Ralph Fiennes, representing the cast of Conclave, expressed gratitude towards director Edward Berger for guiding the project with "perception, insight, and care." Earlier, Isabella Rossellini, his co-star, extended well wishes to Pope Francis for a speedy recovery after his pneumonia diagnosis. The SAG winners are determined by actors voting for their peers, emphasizing the importance of community within the industry—a sentiment echoed by Fiennes during his acceptance speech.

Conclave’s success comes amid an unpredictable best picture race characterized by multiple winners across major ceremonies this season, such as The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, which have also claimed honors at the Golden Globes. Moore's win for The Substance further tightens the competition in the best actress category where she is now seen as a strong contender against rising star Mikey Madison.

In his acceptance speech, Chalamet reflected on the emotional and artistic journey of embodying the legendary Bob Dylan, highlighting the depth of effort that went into his portrayal. Kieran Culkin, awarded best supporting actor, brought humor to his win, thanking director Jesse Eisenberg's sister for the unexpected opportunity in A Real Pain.

Zoe Saldaña stood out among the supporting actresses for her acclaimed role in Emilia Pérez, while Colin Farrell's heartfelt acceptance for his role in The Penguin captured the communal spirit of acting. Meanwhile, Jessica Gunning’s win for Baby Reindeer set the stage for further recognition of emerging talent.

The television categories saw Shogun dominate with multiple wins, including individual accolades for its leading stars, and Only Murders In The Building taking home best comedy series, much to the surprise of its cast.

The ceremony, hosted by Kristen Bell, paid tribute to Los Angeles firefighters for their recent contributions during devastating wildfires that impacted the community. In a poignant address, Jane Fonda, recipient of the lifetime achievement award, underscored the significance of unity amidst political and social challenges, urging the entertainment community to wield its influence for the greater good.

As the award season continues, all eyes will turn to the upcoming Oscars, where the stakes are higher than ever as the competition remains fierce and unpredictable.