It’s finally here! The 97th Oscars, a night of glitz and glamour, is ready to take center stage. This year, the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez stands out with an impressive 13 nominations. However, the film has been in the spotlight recently due to some historic tweets from its star, which have raised eyebrows and impacted its chances.
Other notable films in the running include Wicked, The Brutalist, Conclave, and Anora. The competition for Best Picture is tighter than ever!
US comedian Conan O’Brien will host the awards from Los Angeles. The show kicks off at 4 PM PT, 7 PM ET, and midnight GMT. Expect heartfelt references to the recent wildfires in LA that have affected so many lives, showing that the night will be a mix of celebration and remembrance.
Now, let’s dive into the films in contention:
Emilia Pérez has certainly made waves this year. It tells the story of a Mexican drug lord who transitions to become a woman. This film not only has the most nominations for a non-English film ever but also marks a historic moment with Karla Sofía Gascón becoming the first transgender actress nominated in an acting category.
However, Gascón’s nomination comes amid controversy due to past social media comments. While Emilia Pérez remains a formidable contender, it faces stiff competition from other films like The Brutalist, which has garnered 10 nominations and stars Adrien Brody, as well as Wicked, featuring both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Additionally, Conclave, with Ralph Fiennes at the helm, has earned eight nominations, including Best Actor. All these films are vying for the prestigious Best Picture award, a title that remains uncertain with strong contenders like Anora, which has made a surprising climb through early critics’ awards.
What else is worth noting? The race for Best Actress is particularly tense. Demi Moore is one nominee, bringing to life a character who trades in her aging self for a younger version. Recent awards have shown unpredictable results, as evidenced by Mikey Madison’s win for her performance in Anora at the BAFTAs, which caught many off guard.
For Best Actor, Adrien Brody appears to be the frontrunner, but keep an eye on Timothée Chalamet, whose portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown has garnered much acclaim. Chalamet recently added fuel to the fire with a surprise win at the SAG Awards.
This Oscar season has seen a notable shift in diversity, as both Best Actress and Best Actor categories feature actors of color. Colman Domingo, nominated for his work in Sing Sing, is making waves for his second consecutive nomination. Yet, the race for Best Director remains concerning, with only one woman, Coralie Fargeat, nominated out of five total slots.
Amidst the glamour, the impact of recent wildfires hangs heavy. The ceremony has been reshaped by the current climate, and the Academy has promised to acknowledge the city’s suffering and offer support during the event. However, the celebration of film will still be the main focus.
As for performances, expect an uplifting medley from Wicked featuring Erivo and Grande, alongside other acts like Doja Cat and Queen Latifah. This year’s host, Conan O’Brien, will bring his unique flair to the evening, replacing Jimmy Kimmel.
With the ceremony scheduled for March 2, 2025, in the iconic Dolby Theatre, those wishing to catch all the action can tune in via ABC or stream it on Hulu.
This Oscars promises to be an exciting mix of talent, emotion, and celebration—one that highlights both the brilliance of film and the challenges of the world around us.