Top SAG Prize for ‘Conclave’ an Unexpected Win Ahead of Oscars

The Vatican Thriller Stuns with Best Cast Prize

Vatican thriller “Conclave” won top prize at an unpredictable Screen Actors Guild Awards gala Sunday, throwing a potential late curveball into the Oscars race just a week before the Academy Awards.

The movie about the mysterious, behind-closed-doors selection process for choosing a new pope won the prize for best cast – the SAG equivalent to best picture – for a stellar ensemble including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.

Ralph Fiennes Accepts the Award

Collecting the award, Fiennes said the win was a celebration of “community,” and “the supreme importance of it in our work and in the world.”

Pope Francis Wishes

Rossellini earlier wished “a quick recovery” to Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for 10 days with respiratory issues and remains in critical condition.

Oscars Race Heats Up

Having also won big at Britain’s recent BAFTA awards, “Conclave” now appears a strong, late-breaking contender for the best picture Oscar, alongside critical darlings such as “Anora.”

Timothée Chalamet Wins Best Actor

In another upset, Timothée Chalamet won the SAG Award for best actor for his portrayal of a youthful Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”

“I know we’re in a subjective business but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” said Chalamet, never short on confidence.

Adrien Brody

Adrien Brody has long been seen as the runaway favorite for this year’s awards season with his performance as a brilliant architect, haunted by the Holocaust, in “The Brutalist.”

But Chalamet’s win suggests that the Oscars race could be closer than expected.

Best Actress

Demi Moore won the best actress SAG Award for her role in gory body horror “The Substance.”

“Acting changed my life because it gave me meaning, it gave me purpose and it gave me direction, because I was a kid on my own, who had no blueprint for life,” she said.

Best Supporting Actor and Actress

Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana won the best supporting actor and best supporting actress awards for “A Real Pain” and “Emilia Perez,” respectively, at the gala aired on Netflix.

Jane Fonda’s Urges

Jane Fonda received the union’s Life Achievement Award, using much of her speech to urge Hollywood to “fight back” against the current state of US politics.

“A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way,” warned Fonda.

Conclusion

The 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards have thrown a surprise twist into the Oscars race, with “Conclave” and Timothée Chalamet emerging as strong contenders. The SAG Awards are a crucial indicator of who will win at the Academy Awards, with the best cast prize often predicting the best picture Oscar.

FAQs

* What was the top prize at the SAG Awards?
+ The top prize was won by the movie “Conclave” for best cast, which is the SAG equivalent to best picture.
* Who won the best actor prize at the SAG Awards?
+ Timothée Chalamet won the best actor prize for his portrayal of a youthful Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
* Who won the best actress prize at the SAG Awards?
+ Demi Moore won the best actress prize for her role in gory body horror “The Substance.”
* What was the theme of Jane Fonda’s speech at the SAG Awards?
+ Fonda used her speech to urge Hollywood to “fight back” against the current state of US politics.