Oppenheimer Dominates at Screen Actors Guild Awards
The 28th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards took place on Saturday, and it was a night of triumph for Christopher Nolan’s film, Oppenheimer. The film walked away with the prestigious award for Best Film Cast, solidifying its dominance in this year’s awards season. In addition, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. were recognized for their outstanding individual performances, winning the awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
Accepting the top prize on behalf of the cast, Sir Kenneth Branagh expressed his gratitude and pride. He also took a moment to acknowledge the actors’ strike that brought Hollywood to a standstill last year. Sir Kenneth thanked the US actors’ union, Sag-Aftra, for their support and sacrifice, which allowed them to be standing there that night. He recalled the solidarity shown by the cast of Oppenheimer during the strike, as they chose to skip the film’s London premiere in favor of joining the picket line.
The success of Oppenheimer at the SAG Awards has positioned it as a frontrunner for the upcoming Oscars. With its wins at various precursor ceremonies and now at the SAG Awards, it is almost certain to take home the coveted Best Picture award next month.
Irish actor Cillian Murphy was overwhelmed by his win for Best Actor, describing it as “extremely special.” He reflected on his journey from failed musician to actor and expressed his gratitude for being part of something truly wonderful.
Lily Gladstone, star of Killers of the Flower Moon, had her own Oscars campaign boosted with her win for Best Leading Actress at the SAG Awards. She acknowledged the challenges of the past year and expressed pride in the solidarity shown by the acting community.
The category for Best Actress at the Oscars remains too close to call following Emma Stone’s victory at the Baftas. Gladstone’s win adds another contender to the mix, making it an exciting race to watch.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, known for her role in The Holdovers, was named Best Supporting Actress. Her consistent wins throughout awards season make her a strong contender for the Oscars as well. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude for being a working actor and encouraged others still waiting for their chance to keep going.
Robert Downey Jr., who has been dominating the Best Supporting Actor category, was recognized for his outstanding performance in Oppenheimer. He described the award as “incredibly meaningful” and questioned why things seemed to be going his way.
The SAG Awards also celebrated excellence in television. Ali Wong and Steven Yeun won for their roles in Netflix’s road rage series Beef, while Pedro Pascal was recognized for his performance in the post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us. Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White were honored for their work in the kitchen comedy The Bear, and Elizabeth Debicki won Best Drama Actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown.
Succession, the critically acclaimed drama series, took home the award for Best Ensemble Drama Cast, while The Bear won Best Ensemble Comedy Cast. Both shows were praised not only for their exceptional performances but also for the lasting friendships formed among the cast members.
The SAG Awards also paid tribute to several industry icons in its In Memoriam segment, including Matthew Perry, Harry Belafonte, Sir Michael Gambon, Tina Turner, and more.
The night was filled with memorable moments, including a reunion of The Devil Wears Prada stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Anne Hathaway. They presented the first award of the night and delighted the audience with a sketch featuring some of the film’s most famous lines.
Hosted by Idris Elba, the SAG Awards were streamed on Netflix for the first time. Elba acknowledged the difficult time actors had faced during the recent strike and expressed his appreciation for their solidarity and support. He also humorously mentioned that being streamed allowed actors to swear in their acceptance speeches, but he advised them not to go “full Succession level.”
The evening concluded with a lifetime achievement award presented to Barbara Streisand by Jennifer Aniston and Bradley Cooper. Streisand was praised for her groundbreaking contributions to the industry, and she expressed her gratitude for being part of such a magical profession.
The 28th SAG Awards showcased the best of film and television, honoring outstanding performances and celebrating the resilience and camaraderie of the acting community. As Oppenheimer continues its march towards the Oscars, audiences eagerly await the final verdict on this year’s most exceptional performances.