Oscars 2025: A deep dive into the nominations and predictions

• Vibhutipathak
• 28 February, 2025

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By: Vibhuti Pathak

As Hollywood gears up for the biggest night of the year, the 97th Academy Awards promise to be one of the most unpredictable ceremonies in recent memory. With several high-profile films competing for the industry’s top honors, the Oscars 2025 nominations reflect a diverse range of storytelling, technical brilliance, and powerhouse performances.

Best Picture: A Tight Race

The Best Picture category has been particularly competitive this year, with 10 strong contenders vying for the coveted award:

• Anora
• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Dune: Part Two
• Emilia Pérez
• I’m Still Here
• Nickel Boys
• The Substance
• Wicked

Despite Emilia Pérez leading the pack with 13 nominations, its momentum was hindered by controversy involving its lead actor. Meanwhile, Anora emerged as a front-runner after winning top honors from the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and Writers Guild, a strong indicator of its potential victory. However, Conclave gained traction after its Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards and BAFTA wins, making it a formidable competitor.

Best Director: Sean Baker Leads the Charge

The Best Director race showcases a mix of seasoned filmmakers and rising auteurs. The nominees are:

• Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
• Sean Baker (Anora)
• Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
• Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
• James Mangold (A Complete Unknown)

While Brady Corbet made a strong impression after winning Best Director at the BAFTAs, Sean Baker remains the favorite, having won the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award, often a precursor to the Oscar win. Baker’s advocacy for independent cinema and his inspiring acceptance speeches have further cemented his chances.

Best Actor: A Close Call Between Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet

This year’s Best Actor category is a battle between industry veterans and emerging talents:

• Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
• Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)
• Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)
• Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)
• Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Brody has been the season’s dominant player, securing multiple wins leading up to the Oscars. However, Timothée Chalamet threw a curveball with a surprise victory at the SAG Awards, making the race closer than anticipated. Still, history suggests the Academy favors older actors in this category, which gives Brody a slight edge.

Best Actress: A Battle of Powerhouses

The Best Actress category is one of the most contested races this year, featuring stellar performances from:

• Sandra Hüller (The Zone of Interest)
• Fantasia Barrino (The Color Purple)
• Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)
• Carey Mulligan (Maestro)
• Emma Stone (Poor Things)

Lily Gladstone has emerged as the sentimental favorite, particularly after her historic win at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. However, Emma Stone’s transformative performance in Poor Things has received immense critical acclaim, making her a formidable challenger. Many believe it could be a showdown between the two.

• Best Supporting Actor: Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction) and Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer) are the front-runners, with Downey Jr. enjoying a resurgence in critical recognition.
• Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) is widely expected to take home the award, having swept through the critics’ circuit.

With the 97th Academy Awards shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, surprises are almost guaranteed. While Anora seems poised to claim Best Picture, upsets in acting categories could change the course of the night. Regardless of the outcomes, Oscars 2025 will be remembered as a year of fierce competition and exceptional storytelling.