• The Vatican thriller "Conclave" won best ensemble at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards, surprising many as it adds tension to the upcoming Oscars race.
• Timothée Chalamet received the best actor award for his portrayal of Bob Dylan, challenging previous favorites for the Academy Awards.
• Demi Moore, Zoe Saldaña, and Kieran Culkin also took home awards, reinforcing their Oscar campaign momentum.
• Jane Fonda's passionate speech during the event highlighted political issues and the importance of solidarity.
• The event unfolded amid California's wildfires and marked another year of Netflix streaming the ceremony with some broadcast glitches.

The 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night surprised many with the winning ensemble of the papal thriller Conclave, directed by Edward Berger. The film captured the audience's attention as it dramatizes the fictional election of a new pope, coinciding with the Catholic Church's ongoing prayers for Pope Francis, who is in critical condition due to respiratory issues. During the award acceptance, Ralph Fiennes stated, “this win is a celebration of community,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration in their work.

This unexpected victory could add a thrilling twist to the upcoming Academy Awards, especially as the movie had recently won accolades at the BAFTAs. Timothée Chalamet won the best actor award for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, stating, "this was 5 ½ years of my life," passionately asserting his determination to be counted among the greats.

Demi Moore, recognized for her role in the horror film The Substance, solidified her Oscar prospects following her Golden Globe win. Moore reflected significantly on the transformative power of acting, sharing, “what we believe is so much more powerful than what we think.” Acknowledging the winners in supporting roles, Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin also maintained their paths to potential Oscars, with Culkin winning for A Real Pain and Saldaña for Emilia Perez.

The ceremony also spotlighted Jane Fonda, who received the guild's Life Achievement Award. Fonda’s speech had political overtones as she warned of challenges ahead, drawing parallels to previous eras of resistance in Hollywood. She remarked, “woke just means you give a damn about other people,” encouraging unity in the face of adversity.

Despite some technical hitches in the Netflix broadcast, the event highlighted various talents across the entertainment world, including the winners of the comedy ensemble award, Only Murders in the Building, and the drama ensemble award of Shogun. As anticipation builds for the Academy Awards, this year's SAG Awards provided a glimpse into the evolving narratives of a competitive awards season.