“Oppenheimer” Dominates at the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards
“Oppenheimer” continues to be the talk of Hollywood’s awards season, adding another impressive win to its collection at the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards. The biopic directed by Christopher Nolan took home the top prize for outstanding cast, along with awards for Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. The film, already a winner at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs, is now the clear favorite as the lead nominee for the upcoming Academy Awards, with 13 nods.
The SAG Awards and Their Oscar Predictive Power
While the SAG Awards don’t always guarantee success at the Academy Awards, recent history suggests they are a reliable indicator. In the past two years, all five of the top SAG prize winners – best ensemble and the four acting categories – have ultimately gone on to win at the Oscars. This makes the SAG Awards especially significant for the closely contested categories of best actor and best actress.
A Historic Win for Native Americans
The standout moment of the night came when Lily Gladstone won the award for female actor in a leading role in “Killers of the Flower Moon” directed by Martin Scorsese. This category was fiercely competitive, with analysts split between Gladstone and Emma Stone for her performance in “Poor Things.” The win for Gladstone is particularly impactful, as it represents a historic moment for Native Americans in the film industry.
Strong Contenders and Clear Top Picks
Cillian Murphy’s success at the SAGs, as well as his wins at the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes, positions him as the favorite for the best actor category at the Academy Awards. Similarly, Robert Downey Jr.’s victory and Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s triumph in the supporting actor categories solidify their positions as frontrunners for the Oscars.
TV Awards and the Rise of Netflix
After a string of declining viewership, the SAG Awards found a new home on Netflix in 2023. The streaming giant not only secured telecast rights but also played host, making sweeping changes to the traditional ceremony. The awards in the TV categories mirrored previous winners at the Emmys and Golden Globes, with shows like “The Bear,” “Beef,” and “Succession” dominating.
Pedro Pascal’s win for best male actor in a drama series for his role in “The Last of Us” was an unexpected twist, beating out the stars of the widely acclaimed series “Succession.” Pascal humorously accepted the award, expressing his surprise and the desire to enjoy a drink.
Netflix’s Impact on the SAG Awards
This year’s SAG Awards marked one of Netflix’s most prominent forays into streaming live events. The streaming platform’s previous successes include live comedy specials and a reunion episode, and the Awards show further solidified Netflix’s presence. Netflix’s foray into live events continues as they gear up to stream a live tennis event in March.
Unions, Solidarity, and Barbra Streisand
The 30th annual SAG Awards took on additional significance due to the backdrop of a grueling months-long strike by the SAG-AFTRA union, who fought for various changes in the film and TV industry. Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, acknowledged the significance of the strike and expressed pride in the solidarity and support shown by union members. The event also celebrated acting legend Barbra Streisand, who received a lifetime achievement award. Streisand captivated the audience with her speech, reflecting on her journey as an actress and highlighting the Jewish pioneers of Hollywood.
Looking Forward to the Oscars
As the SAG Awards conclude, all eyes are now on the upcoming Academy Awards. Hollywood will soon discover if the SAG winners will also win the coveted Oscar. The voting period for the Oscars wraps up soon, further heightening the anticipation surrounding the Academy Awards.
Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
