Awards season just got more interesting.
The Screen Actors Guild announced their Actor Awards nominations on Wednesday morning, and two films are dominating the conversation in a big way.
“One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” led the pack with multiple nods across several categories, solidifying their status as frontrunners heading into Oscar season.
But the real story? Some massive snubs left Hollywood insiders buzzing about what this means for the Academy Awards race.
The Expected Contenders Deliver
“One Battle After Another” performed exactly as industry watchers predicted. Leonardo DiCaprio secured a nomination for his lead role, joined by co-star Chase Infiniti.
The film’s supporting cast also earned recognition, with veteran actors Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro both landing nominations. This across-the-board acknowledgment suggests strong ensemble work that resonates with actors—the very group voting on these honors.
“Sinners” Exceeds All Expectations
While “One Battle After Another” met expectations, “Sinners” dramatically overperformed in ways few predicted.
Michael B. Jordan earned a lead actor nomination, but that was just the beginning. Supporting actress Wunmi Mosaku received recognition for her work in the film, alongside newcomer Miles Caton in the supporting actor category.
Three acting nominations for a single film signals serious momentum. When actors recognize performances across multiple categories, it typically indicates deep respect for the entire production.
The Shocking Snubs That Have Everyone Talking
Awards season always brings surprises, but this year’s omissions feel particularly glaring.
Cynthia Erivo, lead actress in “Wicked: For Good,” failed to secure a nomination—even though her co-star Ariana Grande did make the cut. That split between leading ladies from the same production raises eyebrows about how voters viewed their respective performances.
George Clooney and Adam Sandler both missed out for “Jay Kelly.” Considering both actors bring considerable star power and critical acclaim to their work, their absence from the nominees list surprised many observers.
Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt also got shut out for “The Smashing Machine,” despite expectations that at least one might break through.
International Films Face Familiar Barriers
Screen Actors Guild voters have historically favored English-language performances. This year proved no exception.
Norwegian film “Sentimental Value” received zero nominations, despite featuring an international ensemble including Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgard, and Elle Fanning. Few industry pundits predicted a complete shutout, making the film’s total absence all the more striking.
Brazilian actor Wagner Moura, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for “The Secret Agent,” also got snubbed. His omission reinforces ongoing concerns about recognition for non-English language performances, even when other major awards bodies take notice.
Why These Nominations Matter for Oscar Night
Screen Actors Guild nominations serve as one of the most reliable predictors of eventual Oscar nominees.
While last year saw no category where all five SAG nominees perfectly matched the Oscar slate, the correlation remains remarkably strong. More importantly, Oscar winners almost always receive SAG nominations first—making today’s announcements crucial for understanding the race ahead.
Actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, giving their collective preferences outsized influence. When SAG voters recognize a performance, it signals that a significant portion of Oscar voters likely feels similarly.
What Comes Next
The Actor Awards ceremony will take place on March 1, streaming live on Netflix.
Between now and then, campaigns will intensify. Studios will push their nominated actors through interview circuits, special screenings, and industry events designed to maintain momentum.
Those who got snubbed face an uphill battle. Without SAG recognition, securing an Oscar nomination becomes significantly more challenging—though not impossible.
Reading Between the Lines
These nominations reveal which performances genuinely resonated with working actors—professionals who understand the craft intimately.
The strong showing for “Sinners” suggests breakthrough work that transcends typical awards fare. When newcomers like Miles Caton receive recognition alongside established talents, it indicates performances that demand attention regardless of name recognition.
Conversely, the absence of major stars like Clooney, Johnson, and Erivo suggests their performances, however competent, didn’t break through the crowded field this year. In competitive categories, good isn’t always enough—voters need to feel something exceptional happened on screen.
As awards season continues unfolding, today’s announcements reshape the landscape. Some campaigns gained vital validation, while others must recalibrate expectations heading into the final stretch before Oscar nominations arrive.