With the Golden Globes, BAFTAS, and SAG awards in the rearview mirror, it is officially Oscar Week. The playing field has shifted dramatically since the Globes. Emila Pérez, which seemed like a top runner in the beginning of the season, has faded into the background after controversial and mean spirited tweets that were made by leading actress Karla Sofía Gascón resurfaced. This one shift left the opportunity for a different group of movies to take center stage. The BAFTAS and the SAG awards shook things up when actors, actresses, and movies who had previously won no awards took home the trophies. 

Key – My Picks,  Variety’s Picks,  Agreement 

Best Picture

Anora

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown 

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez 

I’m Still Here

Nickel Boys 

The Substance

Wicked 

Both Anora and A Complete Unknown deserve best picture, but they both can’t win. Anora tells the story of a woman made to feel less-than. A stripper, Ani searches for her unattainable Cinderella Story and the power that would come with it. A Complete Unknown followed the story of a young Bob Dylan, his love triangles, attitudes towards life, and the brilliant minds of folk music. The movie made you want to travel back in time and see Dylan in concert. Both movies held their own and kept the audiences at the edge of their seats.

Best Actor in a Leading Role 

Adrien Brody – The Brutalist 

Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown

Colman Domingo – Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes – Conclave

Sebastian Stan – The Apprentice

Like Best Picture, both Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet deserve the award. Brody brought the character of László Tóth to life, making him come off as a real human and not just a fictional character. Brody has compelled audiences with his complex performance. Meanwhile, Chalamet brought to life a real legend, pouring his life and spirit into the role of Bob Dylan. Learning to sing, play guitar and talk in the style of Dylan, Chalamet was able to reach a wide range of audiences, young and old. 

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Karla Sofía Gascón – Emilia Pérez

Mikey Madison – Anora

Demi Moore – The Substance

Fernanda Torres – I’m Still Here

Mikey Madison, screamed, cried, learned how to pole dance, speak russian, twerk, and use a Brooklyn accent for her role in Anora, all while being the advocate of our generation for the sex working community. Madison truly encapsulated the life of a normal person’s fairytale hopes, along with the masks we put on to get through everyday life and the loss you feel when those hopes are let down.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role 

Yura Borisov – Anora 

Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Edward Norton – A Complete Unknown

Guy Pearce – The Brutalist

Jeremy Strong – The Apprentice

Kieran Culkin has taken home the award in every event so far this year. Yet Yura Borisov brought something different and new to the stage. Borisov’s character played the role of the hentchmen with an open heart who sees right through Anora. He brought a new element to the movie that elevated it to an Oscar worthy level. While Culkin will likely be the one to win this award, Borisov would be an equally deserving choice.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role 

Monica Barbaro – A Complete Unknown

Ariana Grande – Wicked 

Felicity Jones – The Brutalist 

Isabella Rossellini – Conclave

Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez 

Like Kieran Culkin, Zoe Saldaña has won every award for best actress in a supporting role so far this award season and is set to win the Oscar as well. However, Monica Barbaro’s performance was the most striking and well done in the category. Barbaro learned to sing and play the guitar all while wearing a retainer so she could accurately depict Joan Baez.