The 2025 Academy Awards: Thoughts and Predictions

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: I didn’t love The Substance but I can’t imagine it not winning this category.

The Nominees: A Different Man, Emilia Perez, Nosferatu, The Substance, Wicked

Will Win: The Substance

Should Win: The Substance

Best International Feature Film: Emilia Perez has lost a lot of love amongst voters, so isn’t the obvious choice the other movie that’s up for Best Picture as well?

The Nominees: I’m Still Here, The Girl with the Needle, Emilia Perez, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Flow

Will Win: I’m Still Here

Should Win: I’m Still Here

Best Original Score: The score for The Brutalist is the only one that stuck with me all year. The way it rings out as the statue of liberty comes into frame moved me to tears.

The Nominees: The Brutalist, Conclave, Emilia Perez, Wicked, The Wild Robot

Will Win: The Brutalist

Should Win: The Brutalist

Best Original Song: Chalk up another win for Emilia Perez.

The Nominees: “El Mal” Emilia Perez, “The Journey” The Six Triple Eight, “Like a Bird” Sing Sing, “Mi Camino” Emilia Perez, “Never Too Late” Elton John: Never Too Late

Will Win: “El Mal” Emilia Perez

Should Win: “Never Too Late” Elton John: Never Too Late

Best Director: Brady Corbet should win this one. But…Sean Baker has the momentum and the DGA win. Either way, it’ll be one of those two.

The Nominees: Sean Baker (Anora), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), James Mangold (A Complete Unknown), Jacques Audiard (Emilia Perez), Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)

Will Win: Sean Baker (Anora)

Should Win: Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Another two-horse race that feels neck and neck, I think the edge goes to Chalamet for so convincingly playing a real and beloved artist. Brody is sensational, but it seems like some might think it’s too similar to his previous winning role in The Pianist.

The Nominees: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Uknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Will Win: Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Uknown)

Should Win: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Demi Moore seems to have this one sealed up, but it’s been that way in years prior and some huge surprises happen here. If Mikey Madison or Fernanda Torres’ names are called, I wouldn’t be surprisedat all.

The Nominees: Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia Perez), Mikey Madison (Anora), Demi Moore (The Substance), Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)

Will Win: Demi Moore (The Substance)

Should Win: Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)

Best Picture: The last category of the evening and the biggest award of the night is the least predictable. Wicked has a good chance, as do Conclave and A Complete Unknown, with the two front runners being Anora and The Brutalist. Anora has more momentum right now after the current guild awards and The Brutalist is a very demanding film from start to finish. My heart hopes for The Brutalist but my gut tells me it goes to Anora.

The Nominees: Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Perez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, Wicked

Will Win: Anora

Should Win: The Brutalist

 

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