2025 Oscars Predictions

Before I start, I want to pay my respects to three special people who helped shaped my life through their art. To David Lynch, Michelle Trachtenburg, and Gene Hackman. Rest In Peace.

Now, as always, these are my predictions to win, not who or what I wish would win.

Best Picture: Conclave

Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet - A Complete Unknown

Best Actress: Demi Moore - The Substance

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin - A Real Pain

Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña - Emilia Pérez

Best Director: Brady Corbet - The Brutalist

Best Original Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg - A Real Pain

Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan - Conclave

Best Animated Feature Film: Flow

Best International Feature Film: I'm Still Here

Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land

Best Documentary (Short Subject): Incident

Best Animated Short Film: Wander To Wonder

Best Live Action Short Film: The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent

Best Original Score: Daniel Blumberg - The Brutalist

Best Original Song: "Like A Bird" - Sing Sing

Best Cinematography: Lol Crawley - The Brutalist

Best Film Editing: Nick Emerson - Conclave

Best Production Design: Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales - Wicked

Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell - Wicked

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Frances Hannon, Laura Blount, and Sarah Nuth - Wicked

Best Sound: Dune: Part Two

Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two

So yeah, I didn't do my initial reaction to the Oscar nominations this year. I had some thoughts but not many. It would have been me rambling on and on about how I too don't understand this hype over Emilia Pérez and what not. And by the time when I was about to write up the article and post it, the Karla Sofía Gascón controversy started and it just didn't seem right to post my late thoughts after such a huge and juicy Hollywood story.

Now because of the large discourse around the movie and the huge pushback by seemingly everyone except people living in and/or operating in Hollywood, we have an open race for the major awards, most notably Best Picture. The Brutalist and Anora have a high chance but I think Conclave will be the one crowned at the end of the night. A safe pick for a wild year.

I believe we will see another split between Best Picture and Best Director. It just seems that The Brutalist has lost a lot of steam since the nominations but the Academy will still want to reward Brady Corbet for everything he did to make his passion project.

I think Anora is going to be the next The Irishman. Its other three most likely wins in Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay each have a better option with a better "only in Hollywood" story to tell.

I have now seen A Complete Unknown and I firmly put my bet on Chalamet for Best Actor. He really gets into the role and you truly believe that he's Bob Dylan.

Flow all the way! I was so happy that the little Latvian animated movie that could got two nominations and I truly hope and wish that we have another non-Double D (Disney or Dreamworks) winner tomorrow for Best Animated Feature.

Because of all of the controversy, save against Saldana, and the huge support from Brazil, I expect I'm Still Here to shock everyone by nabbing Best International Feature over Emilia Pérez.

God, the documentaries have gotten really dire and depressing as of late. I mean, yeah I get it, I too have access to world news, but it seems the Academy's documentary branch needs to take a chill pill and stop or at least lay off with all of the dark real stories. That all being said, I think Incident will win Best Documentary (Short Subject) over Netflix's The Only Girl In The Orchestra simply because the stark and horrifying short has been championed and much discussed online since its nomination.

Diane Warren could finally see her first win. That's what happens when you don't have any real competition and no genuinely good movie songs that the Academy want to celebrate from 2024. Seriously, I have not seen one person say that they actually like a song from Emilia Pérez. But I still think Sing Sing will steal away the glory instead.

I really hope Conclave gets Best Editing. Not only to set up its Best Picture win but because the editing was truly magnificent.

Wicked and Dune: Part Two will fight over the tech awards, though my heart does go to the crew for Nosferatu and Better Man. I know a lot of people mock Wicked being nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling simply for the green makeup on Cynthia Erivo but hello, aren't you forgetting the second part of that award? I couldn't keep my eyes away from Elphaba's beautiful long braided hair or the hairdos on Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, and Jonathan Bailey.

Well, enjoy the Oscars tomorrow everybody, especially since they are bringing back movie clips and finally getting rid of those five presenters and their "you're great" mini-speeches to the acting noms. Geez, I wonder why the producers chose to forgo that, huh?