2024 SAG Awards Nominations: The Biggest Surprises and Snubs
The 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations are out, and the acting world is buzzing! With the ceremony set to take place on January 27, 2024, the SAG Awards are always a key indicator of potential Oscar contenders, as actors vote for their peers. This year's nominations are full of surprises, exciting newcomers, and some notable snubs.
Here's a breakdown of the biggest highlights and surprises:
Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture:
- "Everything Everywhere All at Once": This was a surefire nomination, and it's considered a frontrunner for the award, solidifying its status as a frontrunner in the Oscars race. The film's impressive ensemble cast, including Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis, delivered powerhouse performances that resonated with audiences.
- "The Banshees of Inisherin": Martin McDonagh's dark comedy also made a strong showing, garnering nominations for its stellar ensemble cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan.
- "Top Gun: Maverick": The blockbuster sequel earned a nomination, thanks in part to the impressive action sequences and Tom Cruise's iconic performance.
- "The Fabelmans": Steven Spielberg's semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama was nominated for its ensemble, featuring Michelle Williams, Gabriel LaBelle, Seth Rogen, and Judd Hirsch.
- "Babylon": Damien Chazelle's epic Hollywood drama secured a nomination for its star-studded cast, including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Diego Calva.
The biggest surprise in this category was the exclusion of "The Whale", a critical darling with a powerful performance from Brendan Fraser. This could suggest a potential shift in the Oscar race, with the SAG Awards potentially highlighting different contenders.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture:
- Austin Butler ("Elvis"): The rising star cemented his leading position in the Best Actor race with his critically acclaimed portrayal of Elvis Presley.
- Colin Farrell ("The Banshees of Inisherin"): Farrell's nuanced performance in McDonagh's film earned him widespread recognition, making him a serious contender.
- Brendan Fraser ("The Whale"): While the film was snubbed in the Ensemble category, Fraser's performance was recognized, solidifying his comeback story.
- Bill Nighy ("Living"): The veteran actor earned a nomination for his poignant and emotional performance in this heartwarming drama.
- Tom Cruise ("Top Gun: Maverick"): Cruise's charismatic performance and his dedication to performing his own stunts secured him a place in the nominations.
One notable absence was Hugh Jackman for his performance in "The Son." His performance received critical acclaim, so his exclusion from the nominations came as a surprise.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture:
- Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once"): Yeoh's multifaceted performance in this mind-bending film has propelled her to frontrunner status in the Best Actress race.
- Cate Blanchett ("Tár"): Blanchett's captivating portrayal of a celebrated conductor grappling with personal and professional challenges earned her a nomination.
- Ana de Armas ("Blonde"): Armas's transformative performance as Marilyn Monroe drew attention and secured her a place in the nominations.
- Viola Davis ("The Woman King"): Davis's powerful performance as the General of the Agojie warriors in this historical epic earned her a well-deserved nomination.
- Danielle Deadwyler ("Till"): Deadwyler's portrayal of Mamie Till-Mobley, whose son Emmett Till was brutally murdered in 1955, received critical acclaim and garnered a nomination.
The exclusion of Michelle Williams for her performance in "The Fabelmans" came as a surprise to many. Williams's performance was widely praised, and her absence from the nominations suggests a competitive race for Best Actress.
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:
- Ke Huy Quan ("Everything Everywhere All at Once"): Quan's performance as Waymond Wang is a standout in the film, and he is considered a strong contender for the award.
- Brendan Gleeson ("The Banshees of Inisherin"): Gleeson's portrayal of Pádraic Súilleabháin in McDonagh's film is both comedic and heartbreaking.
- Brian Tyree Henry ("Causeway"): Henry delivers a powerful performance as a soldier struggling to readjust to life after injury.
- Judd Hirsch ("The Fabelmans"): Hirsch's portrayal of Sammy Fabelman's grandfather, a key figure in his life, earned him a well-deserved nomination.
- Barry Keoghan ("The Banshees of Inisherin"): Keoghan's performance as Dominic Kearney adds depth and intrigue to McDonagh's film.
One notable absence was Paul Mescal for his performance in "Aftersun." His performance was lauded by critics, so his omission is a sign of the fierce competition in this category.
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:
- Stephanie Hsu ("Everything Everywhere All at Once"): Hsu's performance as Joy Wang is a tour de force, showcasing her range and comedic timing.
- Kerry Condon ("The Banshees of Inisherin"): Condon's performance as Siobhán Súilleabháin is nuanced and heartbreaking, adding depth to McDonagh's story.
- Angela Bassett ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"): Bassett's powerful and emotional performance as Queen Ramonda earned her a nomination, reflecting the film's cultural impact.
- Jamie Lee Curtis ("Everything Everywhere All at Once"): Curtis's performance as IRS auditor Deirdre Beaubeirdre is hilarious and memorable, earning her a well-deserved nomination.
- Hong Chau ("The Whale"): Chau's performance as Liz, the nurse who helps Brendan Fraser's character, is powerful and emotionally resonant.
The biggest surprise in this category was the exclusion of Dolly De Leon for her breakout performance in "Triangle of Sadness." Her performance received critical acclaim, and her absence is a reminder that the SAG Awards are not always predictable.
What These Nominations Mean for the Oscars
The SAG Awards often foreshadow the eventual Oscar winners, as they are the only major awards ceremony voted on by actors themselves. While the SAG Awards don't always perfectly align with the Oscars, they offer valuable insights into the potential frontrunners and provide a sense of which films and performances are resonating most with the industry.
The nominations for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," "The Banshees of Inisherin," and "Top Gun: Maverick" solidify their frontrunner status for multiple Oscar categories. These films are considered front-runners in Best Picture, and the SAG nominations for their ensembles point towards a potential sweep at the Academy Awards.
The nominations for Austin Butler, Michelle Yeoh, and Ke Huy Quan further strengthen their chances for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. Their performances have resonated with both audiences and critics, and the SAG Awards recognition only adds to their momentum.
However, the notable snubs at the SAG Awards also offer a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of the Oscar race. The absence of "The Whale" in the Ensemble category suggests that it might not be as dominant a force in the Oscars as initially thought. Similarly, the exclusion of performances like Michelle Williams in "The Fabelmans" and Paul Mescal in "Aftersun" indicate that the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor categories are fiercely competitive.
Ultimately, the SAG Awards are just one step in the long journey to the Oscars. The next few months will see more awards ceremonies, further shaping the landscape of the Oscar race. The 2024 SAG Awards nominations have certainly added to the excitement and anticipation, providing a glimpse into the potential frontrunners and the unpredictable nature of the awards season.
