The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, held on February 23, 2025, delivered shocking victories that have redefined the awards season story. Conclave, the political drama, took home the much-sought Best Ensemble award, and Timothée Chalamet received Best Actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Conclave, the new film by director Edward Berger, opens up the behind-closed-doors business of electing a new pope to an A-list cast in Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. The win by the cast is a celebration of the team’s overall merit, bringing attention to a title that flew under the radar of this awards cycle. The triumph was a shocker, given that Conclave bested some other strong competitors in the group.
Timothée Chalamet’s Best Actor win for A Complete Unknown also came as a surprise. In the legendary singer Bob Dylan, Chalamet’s acting contained the nuance and wit of the legend himself. As Chalamet stood on the stage to give his acceptance speech, he could clearly be seen shocked, commenting, “I was not expecting this at all.” He went on to thank his mother for all her encouragement and reminisced on the five years of work getting ready to portray the character. This nomination positions Chalamet as a serious contender for the upcoming Academy Awards.
The evening was also remembered for Demi Moore’s Best Actress award for her riveting performance in The Substance. Here, Moore makes a remarkable performance that has received accolades from critics as well as viewers. Her win provides yet more momentum to her awards season campaign, suggesting potential triumph at the Oscars.
Among the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin received Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, and Zoe Saldaña received Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez. Both were lauded for adding depth and nuance to their characters, and their SAG Awards wins underscore their highly talented work.
The amazing and formidable Shōgun made several wins and bagged the award for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series. Exceptionally, Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, who individually shone with their performances in the series, added beauty to their historical and cultural significance.
The ceremony witnessed one other touching moment when Jane Fonda was awarded the honorary SAG Life Achievement Award. During her speech, she talked about how important empathy in performances was and asked her fellow actors to keep being brave enough to bring social and political issues to the fore. Her words echoed and served as a staggering reminder of the voice and power artists wield.
These shocking results at the SAG Awards have already added some character to the awards season, especially with the Academy Awards looming. Conclave and Chalamet in A Complete Unknown now reflect the pace of change as industry insiders and fans anxiously wait to see turns like this one shape the Oscars and all honors still to come.
As the year moves on, SAG Award winners underscore the wealth of talent in the profession, honoring performances and productions that tower over expectations and provide richness to the film itself.
