Airing this Sunday night, the Oscars are just around the corner. This year, hit films “Sinners,” “Marty Supreme” and “One Battle After Another” are all on deck. With an impressive lineup of films, there’s no denying that this year’s Oscars night will be a heated one. Today, writers from the Life Section have come together to share their thoughts on who will bring home that coveted golden statue.
Ayyan Tamjeed, he/him/his, Staff Writer, art24001@uconn.edu
My first prediction is for the Oscars in 2027: I’m begging you, Academy, please host the Oscars during the first two months of the year. I’ve had to endure some brain dead takes on this year’s nominations purely because they had time to fester.
As for the nominees for the 2026 ceremony? I’m going all in on the “Sinners” sweep; there’s no way you nominate the movie in almost every category it was considered if you’re not going to give it a handful of awards. It’s certainly my pick for Best Picture. I thought “Sinners” was one of the best movies of 2025, and it deserves any accolade it picks up during this ceremony.
Outside of Best Actress — which seems like a lock for Jessie Buckley — I could very well see the “Sinners” cast pick up the rest of the silverware. For Best Actor, it’s either Michael B. Jordan or Timothée Chalamet, and I like Wunmi Mosaku’s and Delroy Lindo’s chances against their fellow nominees. Their only challengers probably come from the “One Battle After Another” cast in Sean Penn and Teyana Taylor. “One Battle After Another” is also a movie I wouldn’t mind picking up a handful of awards as well.
Apart from those categories, I think it’s a disgrace that the “Chainsaw Man” movie released in October didn’t even get considered for Best Animated Feature Film; if it was up to me, that bad boy would be in Best Picture as well. Denji and Beam didn’t kill the Typhoon devil just to get snubbed.
Jaylyn Davis, she/her/hers, Campus Correspondent, iue25001@uconn.edu
Oscars season is a very exciting time for us. Not only do we get to see who wins awards, but we get to predict who’s going to win them.
For this year’s Best Actor Award, the top two nominees are Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan. Chalamet has acted in exceptional movies such as “Dune: Part 2.” He was also nominated last year for “A Complete Unknown.” Therefore, it’s possible he may win Best Actor this year. However, Michael B. Jordan has acted in outstanding movies as well. One movie he recently acted in was “Sinners.” The exceptional lead role he had in the film might boost his chances of winning the Oscar. In terms of who I’d root for, I’d pick Jordan because he’s a superb actor in general. Additionally, compared to Chalamet, Jordan’s currently not facing any controversies that may dwindle his chances in winning the Oscar.
Another Oscar that I’m keeping an eye on is Best Picture. There are a ton of films that have been nominated for the award. However, the only one I’m familiar with is “Sinners.” I feel like “Sinners” deserves the award because not only is it a marvelous film, but its use of religion and vampires depicts a crucial message about divine law and the historical racial oppressions of the Deep South. I feel like a film that uses horror and fantasy elements to portray a specific aspect of society deserves to win Best Picture.
Sarah Barker, she/her/hers, Campus Correspondent, sarah.barker@uconn.edu
I don’t usually care about the Oscars because I don’t watch movies like that, but I decided to watch all the movies for the big categories this year as a fun challenge. I think Jessie Buckley should be taking home Best Actress because what she was doing in “Hamnet” was on another level. As for Best Actor, I’m on my knees begging that it’ll go to Micheal B. Jordan. And while the award should be based off the performance and not the person themselves, I’m kind of hoping Timothée Chalamet shot himself in the foot throughout his press tour and turned off the voters.
In a perfect world, “Train Dreams” wins Best Picture, but in the real world it’s got to be “Sinners.” That movie is a once-in-a-lifetime film — it’s original and evocative and every single performance is fantastic. Honestly, give “Sinners” every award. Also, can I just say: who would’ve thought that a song from a movie called “K-Pop Demon Hunters” would be nominated for an Oscar? But here we are.
Sean Aitken, he/him/his, Contributor, sean.aitken@uconn.edu
Oscars season is upon us, and it’s such a joy every year. With Conan O’Brien hosting again, it should be a treat on Sunday night. One of this year’s biggest debates is Timothée Chalamet versus Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor. Deja vu I’m sure, Chalamet being up for Best Actor again, but that’s just what comes with being a generational talent. I think the Academy will give it to Jordan, which will create the Leonardo DiCaprio comparisons for Chalamet.
Speaking of DiCaprio, the movie he led, “One Battle After Another,” was nominated for 13 Oscars this year. I believe we are going to see it basically sweep the board, taking home an abundance of awards. As a horror fan, I love “Sinners” and “Weapons” representation.
I’m pulling for Amy Madigan in the Best Supporting Actress category; the favorite Teyanna Taylor was phenomenal, but Madigan was completely transformed. It’s also very possible with the Academy’s track record of giving out “legacy” Oscars to older actors nominated. Madigan’s case is different from Jamie Lee Curtis a few years ago. She actually deserves it. It’s important to consider “F1,” which was hilariously nominated for Best Picture, but I do want it to — and think it will — take home Best Sound.
Eva Nyquist, she/her/hers, Campus Correspondent, eva.nyquist@uconn.edu
It’s no secret that the Oscar with the biggest contention this year is Best Actor, and it’s also no secret that it’s only really between two of the nominees: Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet. They’re two of the biggest talents in the industry right now and were both powerhouses in their respective films, regardless of how you feel about Chalamet’s recent controversies. Jordan’s performance in “Sinners” has been lauded all year, and many feel that Chalamet is overdue for an award (and I personally think he should’ve won last year — his Bob Dylan performance was better than Adrien Brody’s winning performance, and perhaps even better than the performance as Marty that he’s nominated for this year).
I think this could go either way, but I’d have to give Best Actor to Michael B. Jordan. I think the Academy will make Chalamet wait a couple more years, and since awards are always political, it’ll be a statement in this political climate to give the win to the lead of a film like “Sinners.” Besides, Jordan deserves it. His performance (two, actually — he plays twins!) is beyond incredible.
And with that being said, I think Best Picture is going to “Sinners.” “Marty Supreme” is a strong contender, but “Sinners” has retained relevance since its release — a rarity in the age of fleeting attention spans — and I don’t think “Marty Supreme” can parallel that hype.
Miscellaneously, I think “Wicked: For Good” was snubbed in a number of categories (namely Best Original Song and Best Costume Design; I don’t think it would’ve won anything, but it’s a shame it wasn’t at least nominated), and I’m rooting for Emma Stone to take home another Best Actress award. She’s just so good.