With the 97th Academy Awards due to take place in Hollywood on Sunday night (or Monday morning in the UK!), it’s time to finally offer up our predications for this year’s winners.
After its recent BAFTA success, can Conclave plot its way towards Best Picture glory? Is it to be the experience of Demi Moore that leads her to Best Actress, or will rising starlet Mikey Madison spoil the dance? On the subject of music, will A Complete Unknown or Wicked take the plaudits? And just how many Oscars will the critically-diverse Emilia Pérez end up with after recent controversies?
We shall soon find out!
Here we go…
BEST PICTURE
ANORA
THE BRUTALIST
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
CONCLAVE
DUNE: PART TWO
EMILIA PÉREZ
I’M STILL HERE
NICKEL BOYS
THE SUBSTANCE
WICKED
WILL WIN? – ANORA – Several weeks ago, the romantic comedy seemed dead in the water after The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez took control at the Golden Globes. However, the Palme d’Or-winning film has seized the advantage after landing major honours at the Producers Guild and Directors Guild Awards. Whether it has the strength to prevail in major categories like Best Director, Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay remains to be seen especially with Conclave breathing down its neck.
SHOULD WIN? – CONCLAVE – Adapted from Robert Harris’ novel, the papal thriller was a compelling watch and would be a more deserving winner compared to some of its fellow nominees. Those crucial victories at BAFTA and the Screen Actors Guild Awards have certainly kept its hopes of winning the big one alive.
IGNORED? – SING SING – Despite strong reviews and an inspiring story, the prison drama underperformed at the guilds and could only conjure a couple of Oscar noms here.
BEST DIRECTOR
Jacques Audiard, EMILIA PÉREZ
Sean Baker, ANORA
Brady Corbet, THE BRUTALIST
Coralie Fargeat, THE SUBSTANCE
James Mangold, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
WILL WIN? – Sean Baker – The multifaceted filmmaker has the luxury of being up for multiple Oscars this year and gave himself a massive boost with a key success at the DGA Awards. A win here would be considered deserving after helming a number of stellar and inexpensive efforts like Tangerine and The Florida Project.
SHOULD WIN? – Brady Corbet – In spite of recent controversy concerning the use of A.I. in The Brutalist, the former-actor-turned-director is still in the hunt for gold after winning a Golden Globe and BAFTA. Furthermore, it’s remarkable how grand the film looks despite the small budget!
IGNORED? – Edward Berger (CONCLAVE) – As with his previous effort All Quiet on the Western Front, the German filmmaker missed the cut in this category even after an impressive showing elsewhere.
BEST ACTRESS
Cynthia Erivo, WICKED
Karla Sofía Gascón, EMILIA PÉREZ
Mikey Madison, ANORA
Demi Moore, THE SUBSTANCE
Fernanda Torres, I’M STILL HERE
WILL WIN? – Demi Moore – Valuable wins at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards have helped the seasoned star take pole position as the favourite to prevail for her brilliant performance as ageing celebrity Elizabeth Sparkle. However, Madison and Torres are not to be ruled out here, with the latter gathering late momentum in what would be a historic moment for Brazil.
SHOULD WIN?– Mikey Madison – In her breakthrough role as a feisty sex worker, the Californian starlet was superb throughout her film and deservedly scored a BAFTA. A victory here may well depend on whether Anora goes on to win the biggest category of them all!
IGNORED? – Marianne Jean-Baptiste (HARD TRUTHS) – The versatile British actress achieved a memorable feat by winning the critics’ trifecta, only to fall just shy of a nod for her acclaimed turn as a depressed matriarch.
BEST ACTOR
Adrien Brody, THE BRUTALIST
Timothée Chalamet, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Colman Domingo, SING SING
Ralph Fiennes, CONCLAVE
Sebastian Stan, THE APPRENTICE
WILL WIN? – Adrien Brody – A previous winner of this category way back in 2003, the versatile New York native gave another powerhouse performance as Jewish-Hungarian architect László Tóth. Despite a recent blip at the SAG Awards, he still looks on course to join an illustrious group of male stars with two Best Actor wins to their name, including Marlon Brando, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins and Jack Nicholson.
SHOULD WIN? – Timothée Chalamet – The prolific young star was tremendous as legendary folk singer Bob Dylan and may yet pull off an upset after a crucial victory at the SAG Awards.
IGNORED? – Daniel Craig (QUEER) – The former James Bond star gave a career-best turn in the divisive gay drama and will have to continue waiting for his first ever Oscar nomination.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Monica Barbaro, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Ariana Grande, WICKED
Felicity Jones, THE BRUTALIST
Isabella Rossellini, CONCLAVE
Zoe Saldaña, EMILIA PÉREZ
WILL WIN? – Zoe Saldaña – Despite a number of controversies concerning her director and co-star, the Black Latina actress looks well on course to clinch a gold statuette for her sharp turn as high-powered lawyer Rita Mora Castro after sweeping the televised awards. A deserving feat for an actress who has also been part of three mega film franchises that have ranked in BILLIONS.
SHOULD WIN? – Ariana Grande – It’s a shame to see Saldaña dominate this category throughout awards season, given how delightful Grande was in her ‘popular’ performance as Glinda Upland. Here’s hoping that this role will inspire the pop icon to pursue more projects on the big-screen!
IGNORED? – Margaret Qualley (THE SUBSTANCE) – As one of Hollywood’s most prominent young stars, her portrayal of a young Demi Moore was well-received, yet missed out on key mentions at SAG and BAFTA.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Yura Borisov, ANORA
Kieran Culkin, A REAL PAIN
Edward Norton, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Guy Pearce, THE BRUTALIST
Jeremy Strong, THE APPRENTICE
WILL WIN? – Kieran Culkin – After leaving Roman Roy and Succession behind him, the Emmy-winning star is now all but assured of a maiden Oscar victory for his effective turn as lonely drifter Benji after clinching multiple accolades including a BAFTA and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Who would have thought that the Pepsi-obsessed Fuller from Home Alone would go on to be an Academy Award winner?
SHOULD WIN? – Guy Pearce – As one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors, the former Neighbours star was terrific as a wealthy yet shallow industrialist. A big shame that he had to come up against a performance that some would argue is borderline-lead.
IGNORED? – Clarence Maclin (SING SING) – Despite earning an Oscar nom for co-adapting his film’s script, the former inmate also delivered on the acting front with a sensitive performance that will hopefully lead to more opportunities on camera.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN (Jay Cocks & James Mangold)
CONCLAVE (Peter Straughan)
EMILIA PÉREZ (Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius & Nicolas Livecchi)
NICKEL BOYS (RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes)
SING SING (Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin & John “Divine G” Whitfield)
WILL WIN? – CONCLAVE
SHOULD WIN? – CONCLAVE
IGNORED? – WICKED
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
ANORA (Sean Baker)
THE BRUTALIST (Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold)
A REAL PAIN (Jesse Eisenberg)
SEPTEMBER 5 (Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum & Alex David)
THE SUBSTANCE (Coralie Fargeat)
WILL WIN? – ANORA
SHOULD WIN? – THE BRUTALIST
IGNORED? – ALL WE SEE IS LIGHT
BEST EDITING
ANORA
THE BRUTALIST
CONCLAVE
EMILIA PÉREZ
WICKED
WILL WIN? – CONCLAVE
SHOULD WIN? – CONCLAVE
IGNORED? – DUNE: PART TWO
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE BRUTALIST
DUNE: PART TWO
EMILIA PÉREZ
MARIA
NOSFERATU
WILL WIN? – THE BRUTALIST
SHOULD WIN? – THE BRUTALIST
IGNORED? – CONCLAVE
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
THE BRUTALIST
CONCLAVE
DUNE: PART TWO
NOSFERATU
WICKED
WILL WIN? – WICKED
SHOULD WIN? – WICKED
IGNORED? – GLADIATOR II
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
CONCLAVE
GLADIATOR II
NOSFERATU
WICKED
WILL WIN? – WICKED
SHOULD WIN? – WICKED
IGNORED? – DUNE: PART TWO
BEST MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING
A DIFFERENT MAN
EMILIA PÉREZ
NOSFERATU
THE SUBSTANCE
WICKED
WILL WIN? – THE SUBSTANCE
SHOULD WIN? – THE SUBSTANCE
IGNORED? – DUNE: PART TWO
BEST SOUND
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
DUNE: PART TWO
EMILIA PÉREZ
WICKED
THE WILD ROBOT
WILL WIN? – DUNE: PART TWO
SHOULD WIN? – WICKED
IGNORED? – GLADIATOR II
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
ALIEN: ROMULUS
BETTER MAN
DUNE: PART TWO
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
WICKED
WILL WIN? – DUNE: PART TWO
SHOULD WIN? – BETTER MAN
IGNORED? – GLADIATOR II
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
THE BRUTALIST (Daniel Blumberg)
CONCLAVE (Volker Bertelmann)
EMILIA PÉREZ (Clément Ducol & Camille)
WICKED (Stephen Schwartz & John Powell)
THE WILD ROBOT (Kris Bowers)
WILL WIN? – THE BRUTALIST
SHOULD WIN? – THE BRUTALIST
IGNORED? – CHALLENGERS
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
ELTON JOHN: NEVER TOO LATE (“Never Too Late”)
EMILIA PÉREZ (“El Mal”)
EMILIA PÉREZ (“Mi Camino”)
SING SING (“Like a Bird”)
THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT (“The Journey”)
WILL WIN? – EMILIA PÉREZ (“El Mal”)
SHOULD WIN? – EMILIA PÉREZ (“El Mal”)
IGNORED? – THE WILD ROBOT (“Kiss the Sky”)
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
FLOW
INSIDE OUT 2
MEMOIR OF A SNAIL
WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL
THE WILD ROBOT
WILL WIN? – FLOW – History could be in the making for the Latvian film after its surprise success at the Golden Globes in January. Animal lovers have certainly embraced it, though The Wild Robot and recent BAFTA winner Wallace & Gromit are also in the mix.
SHOULD WIN? – THE WILD ROBOT – The exhilarating DreamWorks animation struck a chord with audiences and recently kept itself in the hunt for victory after dominating the Annie Awards.
IGNORED? – TRANSFORMERS ONE – The film incarnations of the Hasbro-based franchise have been on the downside in recent years, though this animated spin-off was well-received upon its release.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
EMILIA PÉREZ (France)
FLOW (Latvia)
THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE (Denmark)
I’M STILL HERE (Brazil)
THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG (Germany)
WILL WIN? – EMILIA PÉREZ – In spite of a number of controversies in recent weeks, the divisive crime musical may just have enough legs to get over the line, though an I’m Still Here win should not be ruled out.
SHOULD WIN? – I’M STILL HERE – The factual drama has garnered a LOT of support from its Brazilian fanbase and has the acclaim (and Best Picture nomination) to bolster its chances.
IGNORED? – KNEECAP – The Irish comedy-drama pulled a lot of punches and garnered multiple BAFTA mentions, only to miss the cut. A feckin’ disappointment to many!
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
BLACK BOX DIARIES
NO OTHER LAND
PORCELAIN WAR
SOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D’ETAT
SUGARCANE
WILL WIN? – NO OTHER LAND
SHOULD WIN? – NO OTHER LAND
IGNORED? – DAUGHTERS
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