The 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards took place on Sunday, showcasing an exciting twist in a notably unpredictable awards season. Edward Berger’s Vatican-themed drama “Conclave” secured the best ensemble honor, while Timothée Chalamet garnered the best actor award, further complicating predictions for the upcoming Academy Awards.
As “Conclave” celebrated its victory, the tension surrounding Pope Francis’s health loomed large; he remained critically ill after an asthma-related respiratory crisis. The film explores the fictional election process for a new pope, and during the event, Isabella Rossellini conveyed the cast’s well-wishes for the pontiff. Just prior to the SAG Awards, Sean Baker’s “Anora” had dominated the producers’, directors’, and writers’ guilds, leading many to anticipate it as a frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars. However, the triumph of “Conclave” alongside its wins at the BAFTAs now leaves the race wide open.
On accepting the award, Ralph Fiennes, who stars in “Conclave,” expressed gratitude and humility, stating, “I’ve not been elected to speak. I’ve been designated to speak on behalf of our conclave, our ensemble.” Chalamet’s unexpected win for best actor came as a surprise, particularly overshadowing Adrien Brody from “The Brutalist.” The 29-year-old actor expressed his astonishment upon hearing his name and articulated the significance of his role. “This was 5½ years of my life,” he revealed, speaking about portraying the iconic Bob Dylan. “It was the honor of a lifetime playing him.” Chalamet expressed his determination to achieve greatness in his career.
Other notable winners included Demi Moore, Zoe Saldaña, and Kieran Culkin, all of whom are considered Oscar contenders. The SAG Awards serve as a closely monitored precursor to the Academy Awards; while their selections don’t always match the Oscar nominees, trends indicate substantial overlaps, especially considering that the last three SAG best ensemble winners have subsequently achieved Best Picture accolades at the Oscars. Many SAG acting winners in recent years have also taken home the Oscar, with the exception of Lily Gladstone last year.
Moore reinforced her Oscar prospects with a strong showing, having recently won a Golden Globe for her role in “The Substance.” Addressing her campaign, she spoke about the importance of belief over mere observation, insisting that true belief would lead to realization. The awards ceremony was tinged with the recent memories of devastating wildfires, which prompted the guild to create a disaster relief fund for impacted members. Host Kristen Bell humorously acknowledged the attending firefighters as “the most attractive tables” amidst a gathering of Hollywood stars.
At 87, Jane Fonda received the guild’s Life Achievement Award, using her platform to deliver a politically charged message. Her remarks, although indirectly directed at the Trump administration, emphasized the need for collective action against looming societal issues. Fonda fervently stated, “A whole lot of people are going to be hurt by what’s happening; we are going to need a big tent to resist what’s coming.”
Jean Smart, who had previously suggested that award shows be canceled in light of the wildfires, won the award for best female actor in a comedy series for “Hacks.” Although she was not present, Smart partook through a pre-recorded segment. Martin Short was also absent despite winning for best male actor in a comedy series for “Only Murders in the Building,” where the show also secured the best comedy ensemble award. Selena Gomez humorously commented on the unusual win for the show, given Short and Martin’s absence.
Colin Farrell celebrated his first SAG award for his role in “The Penguin,” humorously acknowledged by Jamie Lee Curtis, who referred to him as “the man who gave me COVID at the Golden Globes.” In a lighthearted manner, Farrell accepted the spotlight, attributing the illness to his co-star Brendan Gleeson.
Kieran Culkin captured the night’s first televised award, as he has garnered accolades across the board for his work in “A Real Pain.” He humorously noted the weightiness of the SAG trophy compared to other awards he had received, saying, “It is funny that the heaviest of all awards is given by actors.” Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez” took home the award for best female supporting actor, awarded to Saldaña amidst ongoing controversies regarding remarks made by lead actor Karla Sofia Gascón.
For its second consecutive year hosting the event, Netflix incorporated traditional ads into the broadcast. While attempting to enhance viewer experience, the show faced some technical issues, evidenced by sound interruptions during parts of Fonda’s speech.
Dominating in the awards circuit, FX’s “Sh?gun” clinched the best drama series ensemble, alongside individual awards for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, plus honors for its stunt ensemble. The film equivalent for stunts was awarded to “The Fall Guy,” sealing a night filled with surprises, emotions, and unforgettable moments in a keenly anticipated awards season.
