ON Sunday, 2 March (more like Monday, 3 March in South Africa) we will learn which films, actors, directors, and other glitterati won big at the 97th Acadamy Awards… and whether the celebrities behaved themselves!
Here’s a quick overview of the top 10 film contenders, and their star-studded casts.
1. Dune: Part Two
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh
Genre: Sci-Fi/Epic
This highly anticipated sequel expands on the world of Arrakis with even bigger stakes, breathtaking visuals, and powerful performances.
It’s a frontrunner in technical categories like Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Production Design, with a good shot at Best Picture and Best Director.
2. Anora
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Mikey Madiso, Paul Weissman, Yura Borisov
Genre: Drama
Renowned for his raw storytelling, Sean Baker returns with another gritty, character-driven film.
With sharp social commentary and a potential breakout performance, this is a contender in the Acting and Screenplay categories.
3. Conclave
Director: Edward Berger
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Based on Robert Harris’s novel, this gripping Vatican-set thriller follows the election of a new Pope, filled with political intrigue and moral dilemmas.
The film boasts a great director, a stellar cast, and a suspenseful narrative, making it a dark horse for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
4. The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Starring: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce
Genre: Historical Drama
Spanning decades, the film follows an immigrant architect and his struggles to create meaningful art in America.
The film blends history, ambition, and personal sacrifice with Adrien Brody delivering a career-defining performance.
This is a strong contender for Best Actor and Best Production Design.
5. Wicked
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum
Genre: Musical/Fantasy
The long-awaited adaptation of the Broadway megahit brings spectacle, emotion, and musical magic to the big screen.
With Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse vocals and a visually stunning production, Wicked is high on the list for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Costume and Best Sound.
6. A Complete Unknown
Director: James Mangold
Lead Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning
Genre: Biopic/Musical Drama
Timothée Chalamet features again, this time when he takes on the role of Bob Dylan in this biopic, chronicling the folk legend’s early years.
With Chalamet performing his own music, and a story rich in music history and personal transformation, this could be a serious player in Best Actor, Best Sound, and Best Costume Design categories.
7. Emilia Pérez
Director: Jacques Audiard
Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez
Genre: Crime/Musical
This genre-blending crime musical is one of the most unique films in the race.
This is a thought-provoking story about identity and transformation, and could be a surprise contender for Best International Feature, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress.
8. I’m Still Here
Director: Andrew Haigh
Starring: Fernanda Torres, Fernanda Montenegro
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Expect some deeply emotional storytelling from this director, and if strikes the right emotional chord with voters, could take Best Picture or Best Original Screenplay awards.
9. The Substance
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Lead Stars: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Horror rarely gets Best Picture recognition, but this film has generated massive buzz for its bold visuals and unsettling themes of age and the beauty industry.
Demi Moore makes a strong comeback, possibly breaking into Best Actress, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, and Best Cinematography categories.
10. Nickel Boys
Director: RaMell Ross
Lead Stars: Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse
Genre: Historical Drama
Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Nickel Boys is a harrowing story about the horrors of a reform school in the Jim Crow South.
The documentary-like style and powerful script, could see it earn nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress.
So… who’s it going to be?
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