SAG Awards Deliver Surprises: ‘Conclave’ Wins Top Ensemble, Timothée Chalamet Takes Best Actor, Jolting Oscar Race

LOS ANGELES – The 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, held on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, delivered a night of unexpected outcomes that are poised to significantly reshape the landscape of the upcoming Academy Awards.

The most striking surprise of the evening came in the coveted category of Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, widely considered the SAG Awards’ equivalent of a Best Picture prize. The political thriller “Conclave” emerged victorious, triumphing over a field of strong contenders. This win marks a pivotal moment in the awards season narrative, building on the film’s earlier success at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs). Directed by Edward Berger and featuring a distinguished ensemble cast led by Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave” was recognized by the guild for the collective strength of its performances.

Adding to the night’s string of surprises was the win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. Timothée Chalamet took home the award for his portrayal of iconic musician Bob Dylan in the film “A Complete Unknown.” Chalamet’s victory was a notable upset, as Adrien Brody, star of “The Brutalist,” had been widely considered the frontrunner for this award based on preceding critical acclaim and industry buzz.

These two major wins – “Conclave” for Best Ensemble and Timothée Chalamet for Best Actor – hold particular weight due to the composition of the Screen Actors Guild itself. As the largest voting body within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the guild’s preferences often serve as a crucial barometer for the sentiment among actors, who constitute the largest branch of the Academy. Consequently, the results from the Shrine Auditorium have cast fresh uncertainty onto the predictions for both the Best Picture and Best Actor races at the Academy Awards.

Further Film Acting Honors

Beyond the top ensemble and lead actor categories, the SAG Awards recognized outstanding individual performances across other film categories. The award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role went to Demi Moore for her acclaimed work in “The Substance.” Zoe Saldaña was honored with the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her performance in “Emilia Pérez,” while Kieran Culkin received the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in “A Real Pain.”

Television Accolades

The guild also celebrated excellence in television. The ensemble award for Drama Series went to the critically lauded production “Shōgun,” acknowledging the collective talent of its cast. In the comedy realm, the ensemble award was presented to the popular series “Only Murders in the Building,” recognizing the chemistry and performances of its lead actors.

Individual acting honors in television were awarded to Jean Smart for her performance in the comedy series “Hacks,” and Martin Short, also for his work in the comedy series “Only Murders in the Building.” Colin Farrell received the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie for his role in “The Penguin.”

Honoring a Legend

The evening also featured a moment of tribute as veteran actress Jane Fonda was presented with the prestigious SAG Life Achievement Award, celebrating her enduring impact on film and television and her long and distinguished career.

In sum, the 31st SAG Awards proved to be a night of significant shifts, with unexpected winners like “Conclave” and Timothée Chalamet introducing compelling new dynamics into the final stretch of the 2025 awards season, particularly as the industry looks ahead to the Academy Awards.