2024 brought a diverse set of films to the big screen, from Wicked to Conclave, every genre and filmmaking style was represented in this year’s awards season. Furthermore, amid AI-centric controversy, members of the film industry and fans alike were led to question what role artificial intelligence will take in the future of film. With the 97th Academy Awards airing tonight at 7 pm, here are my predictions for this year’s Oscars.

Best Picture – Anora

Although the race for the top award is still heavily contested by films such as Conclave or The Brutalist, Anora has become the heavy favorite amid a strong late awards season push. The movie itself, which depicts a New York sex worker (Mikey Madsen), who falls in love with the son of a Russian oligarch (Mark Eydelshteyn), picked up the Best Picture awards at the Writers’ Guild Awards, the Directors’ Guild Awards, and the Producers’ Guild Awards. If it were to lose Best Picture at the Oscars, it would be the first movie since Brokeback Mountain (2005) to lose with this resume. 

Best Director – Sean Baker, Anora

As the Writer-Director of the Best Picture favorite, it stands to reason that he would take home the award for directing as well. In addition to creating the world of Anora, the direction of the movie amplifies the impact of an already riveting story. Shots such as the final one of the movie prove that Baker, who also directed films such as The Florida Project, engaged in some truly inspired directing during the making of Anora. Furthermore, Baker picked up enough of the prerequisite awards to make him the odds-on favorite to take home the award for Best Director. 

Best Actor – Adrien Brody, as Lazlo Töth in The Brutalist

Although it is seemingly inevitable that Brody will win this award, he’s one of the few winners I’ve predicted that I don’t think should win. Brody portrays an immigrant architect navigating a new nation, as well as the hardship of a struggling artist. Although it was an inspired performance, I would like to see Timothée Chalamet pick up his first Oscar for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. However, Brody received enough of the prerequisite awards to make his win all but assured. 

Best Actress – Demi Moore, as Elizabeth Sparkle in The Substance

The Substance is a psychological horror about an aging actress who wishes to physically transform herself to remain relevant. Moore delivers a strong performance in a physically demanding and complex role. Additionally, she perfectly balances the horror aspects of the film with the authentic character of Elizabeth Sparkle. Outside of the film itself, the story of Demi Moore having a true comeback relatively late in her career, is one that Oscar voters likely won’t pass up. 

Best Supporting Actor – Kieran Culkin, as Benji in A Real Pain

Playing Benji Kaplan, an odd, charismatic man suffering the recent loss of his grandmother, Kieran Culkin gives a complex and deep performance that earned him a sweep during this awards season. Aside from the representation of depression within Culkin’s performance, he portrays a new and different take on generational trauma that makes Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain a must-watch and a true snub from the Best Picture category. 

Best Supporting Actress – Zoe Saldaña, as Rita Mora Castro in Emilia Perez

Although Emilia Perez has experienced a shocking decline in support over the previous months due to numerous controversies, Saldaña should remain unaffected. In a movie that I didn’t particularly enjoy, Saldaña is one of very few bright spots. Playing the Mexican lawyer whom a notorious cartel boss hires to facilitate her retirement and subsequent transition, she perfectly balances musical drama with the more real, crime-based aspects of the film. Saldaña basically swept this category through the rest of awards season, and I predict she will take home the Oscar tonight as well. 

Best Original Screenplay – Anora

In combination with the awards for Best Director and Best Picture, Sean Baker will likely take home the first writing award of the night. This is another of my predictions where I differ in what I believe should win, versus what will win. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and script of Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain, potentially more so than I did Anora’s. In order to win, A Real Pain would have to become the first film ever to take home this award without being nominated for Best Picture, making this win unlikely. However, Baker did a superb job creating Anora, making it a deserving win. 

Best Adapted Screenplay – Conclave

Comprising numerous Best Picture nominees such as Emilia Perez, Nickel Boys, and A Complete Unknown, the Adapted Screenplay category is surely one of the most competitive in this year’s Oscars. After mulling over the nominees for a while, I’ve settled on Conclave as the winner. Adapted from Robert Harris’s novel of the same name, Conclave perfectly captures the spirit of a political thriller, mixing strong performances and writing with the intricacies of papal succession. Although I haven’t read the original novel, Conclave kept me on the edge of my seat while also exploring themes surrounding power and faith, which make it a frontrunner in this category. 

The Oscars air tonight at 7 pm EST on ABC. Tune in to see how accurate the predictions were!