The 2025 Oscars race is heating up, with two films dominating the competition: Sean Baker’s Anora and Edward Berger’s Conclave. Both are frontrunners for Best Picture, but the battle is far from predictable. Anora, a Palme d’Or-winning comedy, has six nominations and swept major awards like Critics Choice, DGA, PGA, and WGA. Meanwhile, Conclave, a Vatican thriller, won BAFTA and SAG Ensemble, appealing to international voters.
Anne Thompson predicts Anora will take home Best Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay. However, Conclave could surprise, especially with its Adapted Screenplay and Editing chances. Other contenders include The Brutalist, likely winning Actor (Adrien Brody), Cinematography, and Score, and Wicked and Dune: Part Two, which may dominate craft categories but miss the top prize.
In the acting races, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) and Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) are neck-and-neck for Best Actor. Brody, a previous Oscar winner, delivers a career-defining performance, while Chalamet’s portrayal of Bob Dylan has won him SAG. For Best Actress, Demi Moore (The Substance) and Mikey Madison (Anora) are the top contenders. Moore, a Hollywood veteran, has momentum from her Golden Globes speech, while Madison’s breakout role earned her a Spirit Award.
Thompson’s predictions also highlight surprises, like Emilia Pérez potentially winning three awards despite controversies, and I’m Still Here making a late surge in International Feature and Actress categories.
Ultimately, Anora and Conclave represent two sides of the zeitgeist: Anora celebrates resilience against power, while Conclave explores the clash between tradition and progress in the Vatican. With the preferential ballot in play, anything can happen on Oscar night.
Full Predictions:
- Best Picture: Anora (Spoiler: Conclave)
- Best Director: Sean Baker, Anora (Spoiler: Brady Corbet, The Brutalist)
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist (Spoiler: Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown)
- Best Actress: Demi Moore, The Substance (Spoiler: Mikey Madison, Anora)
The Oscars 2025 promise excitement, surprises, and a tight race between indie darlings and mainstream hits. Who will take home the gold? Tune in to find out!
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