With closing Oscar balloting closed on February 18, we’re persevering with with our eighth annual sequence of interviews with Academy voters from totally different branches for his or her unfiltered takes on what received picked, missed, and overvalued within the 2025 award season. Voter’s picks in daring. Interview edited for brevity.
Greatest Image
I voted for “Emelia Pérez,” essentially the most attention-grabbing, revolutionary, inventive image of the 12 months. I went to a screening early on, so I didn’t have expectations, besides that I appreciated [Jacques Audiard’s] different movies. I really like the music. I’m unhappy about all of the stuff about Karla Sofía [Gascón]. Am I not going to have a look at a Picasso portray ever once more? He was a shit. Am I not going to look at a Woody Allen movie? It’s a slippery slope whenever you begin with the character of the individuals within the film. Who’s excellent? It must be about if the content material of the film is egregious, or no matter.
The following one was “Anora,” which was intelligent and humorous. I used to be so blissful to be laughing. All of the performances have been terrific. And it took you into this loopy world. And I’ve appreciated his [Sean Baker] different movies, too. After which “A Full Unknown.” After which the Brazilian artwork movie “I’m Nonetheless Right here.” After which “Nickel Boys,” which I didn’t love, truly, however I like that filmmaker [RaMell Ross], and I respect what he tried to do. I don’t suppose he succeeded, however it was a superb effort. So then I went for “Conclave,” which I loved, and “The Brutalist,” which I didn’t, and “Depraved.” I hated “The Substance.” I believed I needed to put all 10 down, in any other case it could have an effect on the end result.
Greatest Actor
Timothée Chalamet was fabulous, sensible. To have the ability to act, sing, and play the guitar, that was a trifecta. I didn’t vote for Adrien Brody as a result of I didn’t love “The Brutalist.” It was pretentious and over-the-top. The primary half was OK. The second half? Thank God I might watch it within the consolation of my residence and take a break and are available again the following evening.
Supporting Actor
Edward Norton, oh, my God. I didn’t even understand it was him for the primary 5 minutes [of “A Complete Unknown”]. I believed he was extraordinary, too. Additionally, it’s one other individual that we all know [Pete Seeger], and for us, our era, we’ve got that context. However he was simply so touching.
Greatest Actress
Karla Sofía Gascón. It’s fucking tragic she gained’t win. It was a unprecedented efficiency. Higher that wins than fucking Demi Moore. I simply so hated [“The Substance”]. And Cynthia Erivo was truly too previous for “Depraved.”
Supporting Actress
Zoe Saldaña was incredible. Monica Barbaro was such a nothing function. Isabella Rossellini was nice, however she was barely there. I get aggravated after they put up individuals which can be barely within the film. It’s a bit unfair.
Tailored Screenplay
In fact, “Emilia Pérez.”
Authentic Screenplay
“Anora.”
Animated Function
“Circulation,” as a result of it was lovely.
Animated Quick
“Lovely Males,” the place a man was going for a hair transplant. “Yuck!” was very cute.
Cinematography
I went with “Emilia Pérez” once more. It appeared nice and was a part of an excellent movie.
Greatest Costume Design
“A Full Unknown.” I don’t go for the splashier stuff. It’s laborious to seize a interval, which [Arianne Phillips] did so completely. In a method, the costumes didn’t stand out, which was completely acceptable for that movie. However they have been utterly correct, and the entire thing was seamless. And significantly whenever you’re speaking about an actual particular person [Bob Dylan], it’s tough to get proper. I didn’t just like the costumes on “Depraved.” It’s an excessive amount of, and there’s nothing witty about it. I assume that may win.
Director
Jacques Audiard for “Emilia Pérez,” only for the inventiveness of it. “A Full Unknown” and “Anora” have been undoubtedly shut.
Documentary Function
I voted for “No Different Land” as a result of I’m so upset. I’m Jewish, and I would like that movie to be seen by as many individuals as potential. I don’t suppose it’s the most effective filmmaking; in all probability, “Porcelain Conflict” is a better-made movie. I don’t how they did that animation, however it was beautiful. It was an actual toss-up between these two. I needed to vote for “No Different Land” for political causes. I don’t know how one can see that movie and never have compassion for these individuals. That scene the place they destroy the varsity? What the fuck! They wish to destroy them in each method.
Enhancing
“Emilia Pérez” once more.
Worldwide Function Movie
“Emilia Pérez.” It’s weirdly unfair after they’re in each classes [as “Emilia Pérez” is also nominated for Best Picture], as a result of I really feel the opposite movies don’t have an opportunity. You ought to be in a single class or the opposite. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is sweet; “I’m Nonetheless Right here” is sweet.
Stay Motion Quick
“I Am Not a Robotic” could be very relatable.
Make-up and Hairstyling
“Emilia Pérez.” I’m not voting for that horrible “Substance,” which is able to in all probability win. I felt traumatized by that movie. I felt that I had spent two hours that I’ll by no means recuperate.
Authentic Rating.
“Emilia Pérez” once more.
Authentic Music
“El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez.”
Manufacturing Design
“The Brutalist,” as a result of for $10 million they did an incredible job. That side of it, I utterly appreciated.
Sound
“A Full Unknown.” He was singing reside; it will need to have been fairly a headache for everybody.
Visible Results
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”