31st SAG Awards Shake Up the Race: 'Conclave' Stuns, Timothée Chalamet Triumphs

The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards delivered a night of seismic shifts in the awards season landscape, crowning unexpected champions and reshaping Oscar predictions. Held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the ceremony saw 'Conclave' pull off a major upset, while Timothée Chalamet's win for Best Actor turned heads across Hollywood.

'Conclave' Stuns with Best Ensemble Win

Defying expectations, 'Conclave', a gripping Vatican-set thriller, took home the night’s most coveted award—Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture. Many had tipped 'Anora' as the frontrunner after its dominant streak across the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and Writers Guild Awards. However, 'Conclave' assembled an unshakable presence on the SAG stage, with a powerhouse cast featuring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto.

Accepting the award, Ralph Fiennes humbly acknowledged the cast’s unexpected victory, stating, "I've not been elected to speak. I've been designated to speak on behalf of our conclave—our ensemble." Adding an emotional layer to the moment, Isabella Rossellini extended well-wishes to Pope Francis, who was reported to be in critical condition due to an asthmatic respiratory crisis.

Timothée Chalamet’s Best Actor Win Sparks Oscar Debate

Hollywood's awards season took a dramatic turn when Timothée Chalamet clinched Best Actor for his transformative portrayal of Bob Dylan in ‘A Complete Unknown’. Chalamet’s win came as a shock, considering Adrien Brody had been the dominant force this season for his work in 'The Brutalist'.

Chalamet, visibly emotional, reflected on his journey: "The truth is, this was 5 ½ years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist—Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero." The victory fuels speculation that Chalamet may now be the dark horse heading into the Academy Awards.

Demi Moore & Kieran Culkin Cement Their Positions

Demi Moore continued her awards season sweep, securing Best Actress for her riveting performance in ‘The Substance’. Meanwhile, Kieran Culkin further solidified his dominance, winning Best Supporting Actor for 'A Real Pain'. With both actors consistently taking top honors across major ceremonies, their Oscar momentum has never been stronger.

‘Shōgun’ Dominates Television Categories

On the television front, FX’s epic ‘Shōgun’ reigned supreme, claiming multiple victories, including Best Drama Series Ensemble. Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai earned top individual honors for their performances, while the show also triumphed in the Best Stunt Ensemble category. The show’s dominance underscores its status as a new powerhouse in the prestige TV landscape.

Jane Fonda Honored with SAG Life Achievement Award

Hollywood icon Jane Fonda, at 87, received the SAG Life Achievement Award, delivering a powerful speech that left the audience spellbound. She called upon the entertainment industry to lead with empathy, stating, "Storytelling has the power to change the world—but only if we tell the right stories." Fonda’s enduring legacy as an actress and activist was met with a standing ovation.

The shockwaves from the 31st SAG Awards have officially disrupted the awards season narrative. 'Conclave''s surprise win and Chalamet’s Best Actor triumph suggest that Oscar races remain wide open. Traditionally, the SAG Awards serve as a crucial predictor for the Academy Awards, making this year’s upsets even more electrifying.

As the industry braces for Hollywood’s biggest night, one thing is clear—the 31st SAG Awards have ensured that nothing is set in stone. Buckle up for an unpredictable finish to awards season.