In brief
In a night marked by celebration, the SAG Awards showcased a thrilling lead into the Oscars with Conclave winning the best ensemble cast and standout performances from Demi Moore and Timothée Chalamet that amplified their chances at the Academy Awards.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards celebrated artistic achievement and community spirit, with the film Conclave clinching the top honour of best ensemble cast, setting the stage for a captivating Oscars showdown. Following its success at the Baftas, the film's momentum is palpable as the Oscars approach on March 2. British actor Ralph Fiennes praised director Edward Berger during the acceptance speech for Conclave, celebrating the vital role of community in their work and in the world at large.Amidst the celebration, Isabella Rossellini, Fiennes’ co-star, took a moment to wish Pope Francis a swift recovery following his recent pneumonia diagnosis. Conclave’s triumph has positioned it as a strong contender in a competitive best picture lineup, alongside The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, which previously won Golden Globes.The night was also a breakthrough for Demi Moore, whose performance in The Substance earned her the award for best actress, propelling her into a tight race with Mikey Madison, who continues to gain recognition following her Bafta win. Moore expressed heartfelt gratitude, reflecting on her journey from a young actress to an award-winning veteran, thanking her peers for their significant influence.In a surprising turn, Timothée Chalamet took home the best actor award for his role as the iconic Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, surpassing perennial frontrunner Adrien Brody. Chalamet shared his appreciation, emphasizing the investment of his time and emotion into bringing the legendary artist to life.Best supporting actor went to Kieran Culkin for his role in A Real Pain, delivered with a comic flair as he thanked Jesse Eisenberg's sister for a unique casting recommendation. Zoe Saldaña continued her winning streak, securing best supporting actress for her performance in the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez, reinforcing the significance of authentic storytelling in cinema.While Wicked left the ceremony without accolades despite numerous nominations, Anora, a frontrunner in the best picture race, faced similar disappointment. Colin Farrell’s win for his performance in The Penguin honed in on the communal aspect of acting, a sentiment echoed by most awardees throughout the night.Jessica Gunning made waves with her win for her portrayal in Baby Reindeer, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and the impact it had on her life. Meanwhile, the acclaimed series Shogun dominated the TV categories, leading to individual awards for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai.The ceremony concluded with Jane Fonda receiving the lifetime achievement award, passionately underscoring the importance of union solidarity and community support during challenging times. Fonda urged attendees to nurture community relationships to promote an inspiring vision for the future, leaving a resonant message amidst a night of celebration.
