‘Oppenheimer’ and Lily Gladstone Emerge as Major Winners at the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards
The 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards took place on Saturday, and it was a night filled with surprises, heartfelt speeches, and well-deserved wins. One film that continued to dominate the awards season was “Oppenheimer,” which took home the top prize for outstanding cast. The biopic, directed by Christopher Nolan, has been a favorite among critics and audiences alike, already winning at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. With 13 nominations at the upcoming Academy Awards, “Oppenheimer” is looking like the clear front-runner.
What made this year’s SAG Awards even more special was the fact that it was streamed live on Netflix, a first for a major Hollywood award show. This brought some significant changes to the traditional ceremony, such as no ads and allowing profanity. The winners were also occasionally interviewed backstage by red-carpet co-host Tan France, adding a new dynamic to the event.
While the SAG Awards don’t always guarantee success at the Oscars, in recent years, the winners from the guild have corresponded with the eventual Oscar winners. This year, all five of the top SAG prizes aligned with the eventual Oscar winners, including best ensemble for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “CODA.” This suggests that the SAGs offered a preview of what we can expect at the Academy Awards.
One of the most thrilling wins of the night went to Lily Gladstone for her leading role in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” This category had been highly contested, with analysts split between Gladstone and Emma Stone for “Poor Things.” However, Gladstone emerged as the winner, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Her win holds significant importance as it would be the first-ever win for a Native American actor at the Oscars.
Another actor who solidified his status as an Oscar favorite is Cillian Murphy, who won the award for best actor. Murphy’s performance in “The Holdovers” has been widely acclaimed, and his win at the SAGs, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes suggests he has a clear edge heading into the Academy Awards.
Supporting actors Robert Downey Jr. and Da’Vine Joy Randolph also secured their positions as Oscar favorites with their wins at the SAG Awards. Downey Jr., accepting his first SAG Award for a film performance, humbly expressed his gratitude, while Randolph delivered an empowering speech, encouraging other actors to keep pursuing their dreams.
The SAG Awards also marked a significant moment for Netflix, which acquired telecast rights to the event. As a dominant force in the awards season, it was fitting for Netflix to turn host and stream the show on its platform. This move further solidifies Netflix’s position in the industry and its commitment to live streaming events.
In addition to the film categories, the TV awards mostly went to shows that have already been recognized at the Emmys and Golden Globes, including “The Bear” and “Beef.” However, Pedro Pascal’s win for best male actor in a drama series for “The Last of Us” came as a surprise, beating out three “Succession” stars.
This year’s SAG Awards also marked a moment of celebration for the SAG-AFTRA union, which recently went through a grueling months-long strike. The union fought for various issues brought on by changes in the film and TV industry due to streaming platforms like Netflix. The solidarity displayed during the strike was acknowledged by Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, who called it a seminal moment in the union’s history.
The night came to a close with Barbra Streisand receiving a lifetime achievement award, presented by Jennifer Aniston and Bradley Cooper. Streisand reminisced about her dreams of becoming an actress as a teenager and paid tribute to the Jewish pioneers of Hollywood. She also expressed her hope for a future where prejudice is eradicated.
Overall, the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards provided a glimpse into the potential winners at the upcoming Academy Awards. “Oppenheimer” and Lily Gladstone emerged as major winners, solidifying their positions as front-runners in their respective categories. The night was also a significant one for Netflix, as it stepped into the role of host and showcased its commitment to live streaming events. With Oscar voting wrapping up soon, anticipation is building to see if the SAG Awards truly served as a preview for the upcoming Academy Awards.
