The 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards unfolded on a Sunday night, with host Kristen Bell honoring Los Angeles firefighters and highlighting another supporting actor win for “A Real Pain” co-star Kieran Culkin. Bell introduced the ceremony, streamed live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, celebrating both the aspirational spirit of actors who venture to Los Angeles and the city itself.
This year’s SAG Awards took place amidst the backdrop of devastating wildfires that began in early January. These wildfires forced the guild to cancel its in-person nominations announcement and prompted the establishment of a disaster relief fund for SAG-AFTRA members affected by the crisis.
Before performing “Do You Want to Be an Actor?” to the tune of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” from “Frozen,” Bell introduced the attending firefighters as “the most attractive tables” among a sea of stars.
Actor Courtney B. Vance, president of the SAG-AFTRA charitable foundation, addressed the audience ahead of the show, stating, “First it was COVID then it was the strikes then it was the devastating wildfires. Thousands have lost their homes including our own members and their families.” This poignant reminder set the tone for an evening of celebration and reflection.
The first televised award of the night went to Culkin, who has garnered acclaim across various award shows. As he clutched the SAG trophy, Culkin noted the weight of the honor, humorously stating, “It is funny that the heaviest of all awards is given by actors,” before delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech: “Believe it or not, this actually means a lot to me.”
The SAG Awards are pivotal in the context of an unusually unpredictable Oscar race. With other major awards—including the BAFTAs, the Producers Guild Awards, the Directors Guild Awards, and the Golden Globes—having already weighed in, the SAG Awards provide crucial insights. Actors comprise the largest voting bloc within the Academy, making their selections particularly significant.
Following wins from the PGA and DGA, as well as the Independent Spirit Awards, Sean Baker’s “Anora” is considered a frontrunner for the best picture Oscar in just one week. However, the recent BAFTA win by Edward Berger’s “Conclave” adds a layer of excitement to an already dynamic award season. This year has seen the surprising rise and fall of contenders like “Emilia Pérez.”
The SAG Awards are again being streamed live by Netflix, which also distributed the competing film “Emilia Pérez” for the second time. Leading the nominations this year is “Wicked,” with a total of five nods, while the TV categories are headed by “Shōgun,” which received early awards for Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, and for best stunt ensemble. The film equivalent for stunts went to the performer tribute “The Fall Guy.”
The best actor and best actress categories are expected to be nail-biters this year. While Brody from “The Brutalist” has accumulated a series of awards, Chalamet from “A Complete Unknown” and Ralph Fiennes from “Conclave” could easily upset the status quo. In the best actress category, contenders include Moore from “The Substance” and Madison from “Anora.”
In addition to the competitive categories, Jane Fonda will be honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award, recognizing her profound contributions to the arts and culture.
