The 98th Academy Awards race is heating up, and the field is more competitive than ever. With the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards behind us, we have a clearer picture of the front-runners, but 2025 gave us enough surprises that we should expect the unexpected.
Best Picture: The Heavyweights
The race for Best Picture seems to be narrowing down to three distinct films:
- "The Last Horizon": A sci-fi epic that managed to win over critics with its human story.
- "Echoes of Silence": A historical drama that has swept the guild awards.
- "Neon Nights": The indie darling that gained massive momentum in the last month.
"The Last Horizon" is the technical marvel of the year, but "Echoes of Silence" has the emotional weight that the Academy often favors.
Best Director: A Tight Race
Denis Villeneuve is once again in the conversation, but newcomer Elena Rossi might upset the veterans with her innovative work on "Neon Nights." The directing branch often diverges from the Best Picture winner, so this category is one to watch closely.
Acting Categories
Best Actor
It feels like a two-horse race between seasoned veteran Michael Caine (in his final role) and the explosive performance of Adam Driver in "The Forging."
Best Actress
Florence Pugh's portrayal in "The Victorian" is the performance to beat, but don't count out Saoirse Ronan, who delivered a career-best in "Winter's End."
The Dark Horses
Keep an eye on "Blue Jazz," a small musical that has been quietly picking up sound and editing nominations. It could surprise everyone in the screenplay categories.
The ceremony airs this March, and until then, the campaigning will be fierce. Stay tuned as we update our predictions closer to the big night.
