Ralph Fiennes is seen in a still from the movie Conclave, which won Best Ensemble at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. (TIFF)
The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards 2025 delivered unexpected wins on Sunday, shaking up an already unpredictable awards season. The Vatican-set thriller Conclave clinched the top honor for Best Ensemble, while Timothée Chalamet secured Best Actor, marking a major twist just ahead of the Academy Awards.
‘Conclave’ Wins Big Amid Real-Life Vatican Drama
Edward Berger’s Conclave emerged victorious in the Best Ensemble category, adding intrigue to the awards race. The film, which explores the election of a new pope, won as the Catholic Church prayed for Pope Francis, who remained in critical condition due to an asthmatic respiratory crisis.
During the ceremony, Isabella Rossellini extended the cast’s wishes for the Pope’s health. The win disrupted the momentum of Anora, which had dominated the Producers, Directors, and Writers Guilds. With Conclave also taking top honors at the BAFTAs, the race for Best Picture at the Oscars remains wide open.
Timothée Chalamet’s Unexpected Triumph
One of the night’s biggest surprises was Timothée Chalamet’s win for Best Actor. The A Complete Unknown star beat out The Brutalist’s Adrien Brody, positioning himself as a serious Oscar contender.
Chalamet appeared visibly shocked when his name was called but delivered a poised speech.
“This role took 5 ½ years of my life,” he said, reflecting on his portrayal of Bob Dylan. “I poured everything into playing this incomparable artist, a true American hero.”
He ended on a powerful note: “The truth is, I’m in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually say that, but I want to be one of the greats.”
Other Major Wins: Moore, Saldaña, and Culkin Shine
The SAG Awards are considered a strong predictor for the Oscars, and this year’s winners reinforced that trend.
- Demi Moore strengthened her Oscar chances with a win for The Substance. Her victory followed a Golden Globe win, and her speech focused on personal belief: “The reality is, when I believe it, I will see it.”
- Zoe Saldaña took home Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, despite the film’s awards campaign facing backlash over lead actor Karla Sofia Gascón’s past tweets.
- Kieran Culkin continued his winning streak, bagging Best Actor for A Real Pain. Known for his humor, he quipped about the SAG trophy’s weight: “It’s funny that the heaviest award is given by actors.”
A Real Pain actor Kieran Culkin at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. Culkin won Best Supporting Actor.
Jane Fonda’s Political Stand & Unforgettable Moments
Jane Fonda, honored with the Life Achievement Award, delivered one of the evening’s most politically charged speeches. Without directly mentioning former President Donald Trump, she warned of challenging times ahead.
“We are in our documentary moment,” Fonda declared. “This is not a rehearsal.” She emphasized the importance of staying engaged: “Woke just means you care about people.”
Other memorable moments included:
- Colin Farrell winning his first SAG Award for The Penguin, introduced by Jamie Lee Curtis as “the man who gave me COVID at the Golden Globes.”
- Selena Gomez celebrating Only Murders in the Building’s first ensemble win with a playful jab at co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short: “They aren’t here because they don’t really care.”
TV Winners & Streaming Challenges
FX’s Shōgun continued its awards season dominance, winning Best Drama Series Ensemble and acting awards for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. On the film side, The Fall Guy won Best Stunt Ensemble.
Netflix, streaming the SAG Awards for the second year, faced technical hiccups, including audio issues during Fonda’s speech. Unlike last year’s backstage interviews, this time the platform inserted sporadic ad breaks.
With the Oscars just days away, the SAG results have added more uncertainty to Hollywood’s biggest night. Will Conclave pull off another surprise? Or will Anora reclaim its momentum? The final showdown awaits.
