“Sinners” pulled off a significant upset at the 32nd Actor Awards on Sunday, winning best ensemble and injecting new uncertainty into the upcoming Academy Awards race. The win came after a season where “One Battle After Another” was widely predicted to sweep the awards.
The Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, are closely watched as a precursor to the Oscars, given that actors comprise the largest voting bloc within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Despite a string of wins for “One Battle After Another” – including at the Golden Globes, Producers Guild Awards, BAFTAs, and Directors Guild Awards – Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” demonstrated a strong potential for success at the Oscars. Coogler became the first filmmaker to win the guild’s top prize with two different ensembles, having previously won for “Black Panther” in 2019.
Delroy Lindo spoke on behalf of the cast of “Sinners,” stating, “From the bottom of our hearts, to the bottom of your hearts, thank you so much for everything.”
Michael B. Jordan also won best male actor for his role in “Sinners,” unexpectedly defeating the favored Timothée Chalamet. Jordan expressed his surprise, saying, “I wasn’t expecting this at all…Yeah, man, this is pretty cool.”
Jessie Buckley was the expected winner for best female actor, taking the prize for her performance in “Hamnet.” Sean Penn, who did not attend the ceremony, won best supporting male actor for “One Battle After Another,” and Amy Madigan won best supporting female actor for “Weapons.” Madigan, a first-time nominee, humorously remarked during her acceptance speech, “It’s like when you were little and you had the Barbie and then you got Ken and whipped down his drawers and went, ‘Hey, that’s nothing.’”
The ceremony, hosted by Kristen Bell and streamed on Netflix, also included a tribute to Harrison Ford, who received the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. Ford reflected on his career, stating it was “not an overnight success” and calling the award “very encouraging.”
Additional television awards included wins for “The Studio” (comedy series), “The Pitt” (drama series), Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”), Seth Rogen (“The Studio”), Michelle Williams (“Dying for Sex”), Owen Cooper (“Adolescence”), and Noah Wyle (“The Pitt”). “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” won best stunt ensemble.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Actor Awards?
The Actor Awards are one of the most closely watched Oscar precursors because actors make up the largest slice of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and their choices often align with the eventual Oscar winners.
Who won best male actor at the Actor Awards?
Michael B. Jordan won best male actor for his performance in “Sinners,” upsetting the category favorite, Timothée Chalamet.
Which film won best ensemble at the Actor Awards?
“Sinners” won best ensemble at the Actor Awards, marking a potential shift in momentum for the upcoming Academy Awards.
Given the unexpected win for “Sinners,” how might this impact the strategies of the studios vying for Academy Awards attention?
Related reading