The film “One Battle After Another” has achieved a remarkable feat at the upcoming SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards, securing a record-setting seven nominations. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this revolutionary saga not only garnered the most nominations in the history of the awards but also includes a nod for the prestigious best ensemble category. This surpasses the previous record of five nominations held by other films in the 31-year history of the Actor Awards.
The cast of “One Battle After Another” features a star-studded lineup including Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro, alongside its stunt performers. Competing for the best ensemble award are “Sinners,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Frankenstein.” Traditionally, a nomination for best ensemble at the SAG Awards is a strong indicator for success at the Oscars, with only four films in the last thirty years winning the Academy Award without this crucial nod.
Several notable films did not receive nominations this year, including “Sentimental Value,” “Wicked: For Good,” and “Train Dreams.” “Sinners” performed particularly well, earning five nominations, including a best male actor nod for Michael B. Jordan and additional nominations for supporting actors Miles Caton and Wunmi Mosaku.
Actor Awards Nominations Highlight Key Performances
In the film categories, the nominees for best male actor are DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme,” Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners,” Ethan Hawke for “Blue Moon,” and Jesse Plemons for “Bugonia.” The inclusion of Plemons was unexpected, while Chalamet remains a favorite, having won this award last year for “A Complete Unknown.”
Best female actor nominees include Chase Infiniti, Jessie Buckley for “Hamnet,” Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Kate Hudson for “Song Sung Blue,” and Emma Stone for “Bugonia.” In the supporting male actor category, nominees are Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, Miles Caton, Jacob Elordi for “Frankenstein,” and Paul Mescal for “Hamnet.”
The supporting female actor nominations feature Teyana Taylor, Wunmi Mosaku, Ariana Grande for “Wicked: For Good,” Amy Madigan for “Weapons,” and Odessa A’zion for “Marty Supreme.” The nomination of 25-year-old A’zion was a notable surprise.
Television and Historical Context of the Actor Awards
In television categories, Apple’s “The Studio,” HBO’s “White Lotus,” and Netflix’s “Adolescence” lead the nominations. Historical trends show that the Actor Awards often predict Oscar winners accurately, as actors constitute the largest branch of the Academy. Past overlaps between SAG nominees and Oscar nominees have been approximately 80%.
The Actor Awards will take place on March 1, 2024, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be streamed live on Netflix. Additionally, Harrison Ford will be honored with the guild’s life achievement award, celebrating his significant contributions to the industry.
As the film and television landscape continues to evolve, the SAG Awards remain a critical barometer for predicting Academy Award success, emphasizing the importance of these nominations in shaping the awards season narrative.
