A weekend filled with intense Oscar campaigning culminated in the 30th SAG Awards, the first major awards show to be streamed on Netflix. The SAG Award winners, chosen by the 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA, may offer insights into potential Oscar outcomes, despite the voting differences between the two bodies. Notably, Cillian Murphy's win for best actor over Paul Giamatti at the SAG Awards could indicate a strong chance for Murphy at the Oscars, especially considering his recent BAFTA win.
In the best actress category, Lily Gladstone's SAG Award win adds an interesting twist to the race, as she competes against Emma Stone and Sandra Hüller. Hüller, a potential wild-card contender, has been gaining support among Academy members, raising speculation about a possible upset in the category.
Meanwhile, the supporting acting categories appear to be more predictable, with Robert Downey Jr. and Da'Vine Joy Randolph securing wins at the SAG Awards. Oppenheimer's success at the SAG Awards, including a best cast win, positions it as a frontrunner for the best picture Oscar, despite historical trends suggesting that the best cast SAG Award does not always align with the best picture Oscar.
As the Oscar race heats up, upcoming events like the Spirit Awards and the PGA Awards will continue to shape the narrative. With surprises and upsets still possible, the journey to the Oscars remains unpredictable and exciting for both industry insiders and fans alike.
