The 2025 Oscars are just around the corner, and the buzz about who might take home the gold is already heating up. Inspired by a recent piece from BBC Culture, I decided to dive deep into the predictions and share my thoughts on the films and talents in the running. It’s not just about who’s likely to win, but also about who truly deserves recognition for work that hits you right in the gut. So, grab a coffee (or a tequila, since we were chatting about Mexico earlier!), and let’s explore the highlights of these major categories together.

Best Picture: A Clash of Emotion and Depth

The Best Picture Oscar is always the night’s big moment, the one that keeps everyone on edge. This year, two films are stealing the spotlight in the race: Anora and The Brutalist. Each, in its own way, shows off the power of cinema to make us feel and think.

Anora: The Charming Favorite

Anora, directed by Sean Baker, is shaping up as the frontrunner for Best Picture. And honestly, it’s easy to see why. The story follows Ani, a young sex worker in New York whose life takes a wild turn when she gets tangled up with the son of a Russian oligarch. What starts as a reckless fling quickly spirals into a mess of sharp humor and heartbreaking moments. Baker has this knack for taking characters society often overlooks and giving them such raw humanity that you can’t look away.

I watched Anora with a mix of fascination and unease. The way it blends comedy with subtle social commentary is downright impressive. Mikey Madison, who plays Ani, delivers a performance that’s both vulnerable and fierce—you’re rooting for her even when she makes choices that make you want to yell, “Don’t do that!” The cinematography, with those neon-lit New York vibes, gives the film an almost dreamlike feel, but it’s a dream that falls apart fast. I think the hype around Anora comes from its ability to be approachable yet deep. It’s the kind of movie Oscar voters love: commercial enough to please, but with an auteur edge that screams prestige.

Does Anora deserve to win? I’d say yes, but with a few caveats. It’s got heart and style, though sometimes it feels like it skims the surface of themes it could dig into more. Still, if it takes the prize, I won’t be shocked—it’s a complete package that knows how to play the Oscar game.

The Brutalist: The Underdog That Deserves the Crown

Now, let’s talk about The Brutalist, which, in my book, should be walking away with the statuette. Directed by Brady Corbet, this film is a whole different beast. It follows László Tóth, a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor who arrives in the U.S. with dreams of rebuilding his life. What he finds instead is a world of ambition, prejudice, and moral dilemmas that test his very soul.

I’ve been thinking about The Brutalist for days after watching the trailer and reading up on it (full disclosure: I haven’t seen the whole thing yet, but the hype feels legit!). It’s a long one—over three hours—and they say every minute is worth it. Adrien Brody’s performance as László is being called monumental, with an intensity that hooks you from start to finish. The film doesn’t go easy on you: it throws you into reflections on trauma, identity, and the cost of the American Dream. Corbet’s direction, with framing that feels like paintings and a pace that lets you feel the weight of every choice, is breathtaking.

Why do I think The Brutalist deserves to win? Because it’s fearless. While Anora wins you over with charm, The Brutalist confronts you with hard truths. It’s the kind of cinema that doesn’t care about pleasing everyone but leaves a lasting mark. The catch is that films this dense and less “pop” don’t always have the broad appeal the Academy loves. Even so, I’m rooting for the voters to give this masterpiece a shot.

Best Director: The Genius Behind the Lens

The Best Director category is where we celebrate the vision that brings these stories to life. Here, Sean Baker and Brady Corbet are once again in the spotlight, and picking between them is no easy feat.

Sean Baker: The Master of Raw Realism

Sean Baker, the man behind Anora, is a name that’s been gaining traction for years. He’s already moved us with Tangerine and The Florida Project, and now it feels like his time to shine at the Oscars has come. In Anora, he blends an almost documentary-like eye with a narrative that flows like a thriller. I love how he takes everyday moments—like a bar fight or an awkward chat—and turns them into something larger than life.

What blows me away about Baker’s work is how he directs his actors. You feel like they’re living these roles, not just performing them. In Anora, he gets the best out of Mikey Madison and the rest of the cast, creating an energy that pulses through every scene. I think he’s got a solid shot at winning because his style is distinct yet never overbearing. It’s the kind of direction you notice without feeling manipulated.

Brady Corbet: The Vision That Challenges

On the flip side, we’ve got Brady Corbet with The Brutalist. This guy’s a talent still finding his footing, but he’s already showing a maturity that’s unreal. He’s younger than Baker, yet his work has an ambition few directors dare to touch. In The Brutalist, Corbet crafts an intimate epic—sounds contradictory, right? But that’s exactly it. He uses the camera to put you inside László’s mind, with long takes and insane attention to detail.

I read that Corbet spent years developing this project, and it shows on screen. He’s not afraid to let the film breathe, to make you feel the weight of silence between lines. If he wins, it’ll be a nod to a filmmaker who’s willing to take risks. My heart says he deserves it, but my head thinks Baker might edge him out for being more “digestible” to the Academy.

Best Actor: Charisma vs. Intensity

The Best Actor race is heating up, with Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody as the standout names. They’re two very different styles, but both are delivering performances that everyone’s talking about.

Timothée Chalamet: Hollywood’s New Darling

Timothée Chalamet is in the running with A Complete Unknown, where he plays Bob Dylan. Just picturing Chalamet with that messy Dylan hair and gravelly voice gets me curious. He’s one of those actors with a natural charisma—you just can’t take your eyes off him. The film hasn’t hit wide release yet, but those who’ve seen it say he nails Dylan’s rebellious, mysterious vibe.

I like Chalamet because he’s got this ability to seem youthful and wise all at once. In Dune and Call Me by Your Name, he’s already proven he can carry a movie. Here, he’s singing Dylan’s songs too, which must’ve been a Herculean task. I think he’s got everything going for him to win: he’s young, at the peak of his career, and the Academy loves a good biopic transformation.

Adrien Brody: The Soul of The Brutalist

But then Adrien Brody comes along in The Brutalist and steals my heart. He’s already got an Oscar from The Pianist, so he knows this game. As László Tóth, he brings a mix of strength and fragility that gives you chills. From what I’ve read, Brody dove headfirst into the role, even picking up some Hungarian for authenticity. It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t scream for attention but catches you off guard with its depth.

I’m rooting for him because I think he takes The Brutalist to another level. While Chalamet shines with charisma, Brody makes you feel every scar his character carries. If the Academy wants to reward something rawer, Brody deserves that statuette.

Best Actress: Strength and Reinvention

In the Best Actress category, Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres are vying for the prize, delivering performances that showcase women’s power in film.

Demi Moore: A Triumphant Comeback in The Substance

Demi Moore is having a renaissance with The Substance, a thriller that mixes horror and satire. She plays an aging actress who uses an experimental drug to create a younger version of herself. I haven’t seen it yet, but critics are raving about her gutsy performance. Moore, a ‘90s icon, is proving she’s still got plenty to give.

What grabs me is how she’s unafraid to bare it all—physically and emotionally. It’s a role about aging, beauty, and self-acceptance, stuff that hits home for a lot of people. I think she’s got a strong shot at winning because it’s the kind of comeback story Hollywood eats up.

Fernanda Torres: Brazil’s Pride in I’m Still Here

Then there’s Fernanda Torres in I’m Still Here, my personal pick. This Brazilian film tells the story of Eunice, a woman facing the military dictatorship while raising her kids. Fernanda, who we know from amazing roles on TV and stage, brings a quiet strength that’s just moving. I caught the trailer and was already tearing up.

She deserves the Oscar because it’s a performance that carries a whole country’s history. It’s not just about playing Eunice—it’s about giving voice to so many real women who fought back then. Will the Academy notice her? I hope so, because it’d be a historic win.

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain

Kieran Culkin’s a contender for Best Supporting Actor with A Real Pain. The film’s a dramedy about two cousins traveling through Poland, and Culkin steals the show as the snarky one. He’s got that sarcastic edge we loved in Succession, but here he mixes it with a vulnerability that surprises you.

I think he’s a lock to win. It’s a performance that balances humor and heart, and the Academy loves that. No “should win” debate here—Culkin feels like a consensus pick.

Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez

Finally, Zoe Saldaña is the favorite for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez. This bold musical follows a cartel boss who transitions genders, and Saldaña shines as a lawyer caught up in the story. She sings, dances, and tugs at your heartstrings—it’s the full package.

I’ve loved Zoe since Avatar, and here she shows off incredible range. I think she’ll win and deserves it, because it’s a standout performance in a challenging role.

And The Oscar goes to…

The 2025 Oscars are shaping up to be a night of tough calls and emotional highs. Anora might take the crown with its charm, but The Brutalist has my vote for its boldness. Sean Baker and Brady Corbet offer opposing visions of cinema, while Chalamet, Brody, Moore, Torres, Culkin, and Saldaña deliver performances that stick with you. Who do you think will win? Let’s cheer them on together!

Rohan Kapoor