The 97th Academy Awards, taking place at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles this Sunday, are poised to wrap up one of the most unpredictable Oscar seasons in recent memory. With frontrunners constantly shifting, controversies swirling around past tweets, and the anticipation surrounding the musical "Wicked," this year's ceremony promises to be a remarkable event.
Scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. EST, the Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC and available for streaming on Hulu. For fans eager to catch the glamorous arrivals, the official red carpet preshow begins at 6:30 p.m. EST, while E! will provide unofficial coverage starting at 4 p.m. EST. The Associated Press will also livestream arrivals beginning at 3 p.m.
As the ceremony approaches, light rain is forecasted for Sunday morning in Los Angeles, which is still recovering from devastating wildfires that impacted the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods earlier this year. The fires affected many within the film industry and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, prompting some to suggest the cancellation of Hollywood’s awards season. Although Conan O’Brien’s home was spared, he has been living out of a hotel for the past two months. Oscar producers are set to honor the city’s resilience during the show.
This year's leading nominee is Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez,” with a total of 13 nominations. However, its chances have suffered following backlash over offensive past tweets from its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, who is the first openly trans actor nominated for Best Actress. Meanwhile, the favorite to win is Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a compelling narrative about a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. This Neon release, which won accolades at Cannes, boasts a strong track record with guilds, but the only film with a similar resume that did not win Best Picture is “Brokeback Mountain.”
Close contenders include “Conclave,” a papal thriller starring Ralph Fiennes, which has garnered wins at both the BAFTAs and the SAG Awards, coinciding with Pope Francis’s hospitalization for double pneumonia. Interestingly, Oscar voting concluded before the pope's health crisis.
Other films in the running include “The Brutalist,” which received 10 nominations, and the musical sensation “Wicked,” which also received 10 nods. The early craft Oscars are expected to be competitive between “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two.” In a historic first, an actor has been nominated for portraying a sitting U.S. president. Sebastian Stan is nominated for his role as a young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice,” alongside co-star Jeremy Strong, who portrays Roy Cohn. Trump himself has referred to those involved with the film as “human scum,” adding a layer of tension to this year's ceremony.
The Oscars arrive amidst a politically charged atmosphere, as they take place mere weeks into the second Trump administration and just days after a significant rupture between the president and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. O’Brien, who will host the ceremony for the first time, acknowledged the need to balance current events with the celebratory spirit of the Oscars. "I cannot ignore the moment we’re in,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of positivity in the show.
In the acting categories, Zoe Saldana (“Emilia Pérez”) and Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) are seen as overwhelming favorites in the supporting roles, while the races for Best Actor and Best Actress remain tightly contested. Demi Moore (“The Substance”) is favored for Best Actress, but challengers like Mikey Madison (“Anora”) and Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”) could create an upset.
For Best Actor, Adrien Brody is favored for his role in “The Brutalist,” but Timothée Chalamet has a strong chance for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” Should Chalamet win, he would become the youngest Best Actor winner in history, surpassing Brody's record set in 2003.
This year's Oscars arrive following a tumultuous period for the film industry, where ticket sales dipped by 3% compared to last year and significantly from pre-pandemic levels. The 2023 strikes disrupted release schedules for 2024, leading many studios to scale back production and leaving numerous industry professionals out of work. The devastating wildfires earlier this year only compounded the challenges faced by the industry.
While last year's ceremony, boosted by the successes of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” achieved a viewership high of 19.5 million, this year's focus on smaller independent films will test the Academy's ability to attract a large audience.
This year, the Academy has made the decision to forego performances of original songs due to a less star-studded lineup of Best Song nominees. However, audiences can still look forward to musical performances featuring “Wicked” stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as well as a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, with Queen Latifah leading the segment. Last year’s acting winners, including Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr., will also participate in the ceremony.
Despite initial plans to revive the "fab five" style of presenting acting awards, organizers have reportedly decided to abandon this approach for the 2023 Oscars.
As the world turns its gaze to the Academy Awards, the event not only serves to honor cinematic achievements but also reflects the resilience and adaptability of the film industry in challenging times.
