The energy at the Shrine Auditorium was thick. You could feel it through the Netflix stream. This wasn't just another awards night; the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards felt like a massive pivot for Hollywood. If you’re looking for who won the SAG awards 2025, the answer isn't just a list of names—it’s a story of a major shift in who we consider "leading" talent these days.
Honestly, everyone expected a bloodbath between the summer blockbusters and the indie darlings. But the actors? They chose chaos. They chose "The Substance." They chose "Shōgun." It was a night where the underdogs didn't just bark—they bit.
The Big Screen Shocker: Demi Moore and Timothée Chalamet Take Charge
The biggest gasps of the night came during the film categories. For months, the "awards experts" were certain Adrien Brody had the Best Actor trophy locked up for "The Brutalist." Then Timothée Chalamet walked onto that stage.
Chalamet won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his turn as Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." He looked genuinely rattled. In his speech, he talked about pouring "everything I had" into the role. It makes sense. Playing Dylan is a tightrope walk, and the SAG-AFTRA membership clearly felt he didn't just mimic the guy—he inhabited him.
Then there was Demi Moore.
Watching her win for "The Substance" was sort of a religious experience for long-time fans. She’s been in the game forever, yet this was a massive validation of her "comeback" (even though she never really left). She beat out Mikey Madison from "Anora," which was the heavy favorite heading into the weekend. Moore’s win proves that the SAG Awards prioritize the visceral, gritty work that actors actually respect, rather than just what critics are buzzing about.
The supporting categories stayed a bit more "on script," but were no less emotional. Kieran Culkin took home the Male Supporting Actor award for "A Real Pain." He’s basically the king of the awkward-but-brilliant acceptance speech at this point. On the female side, Zoe Saldaña won for "Emilia Pérez," a win that felt like a long-overdue "thank you" for a career spent dominating the box office.
The Film Winners You Need to Know:
In the biggest category of the night—Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture—the Vatican thriller "Conclave" took the top prize. It was a bit of an upset over "Wicked" and "Anora," but when you look at that cast (Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow), it’s hard to argue with the "actors' choice." Fiennes accepted the award and kept it classy, focusing on the idea of "community."
Also, the stunt ensemble win went to "The Fall Guy." It’s kinda perfect given that the movie is literally a love letter to stunt performers.
TV Categories: Shōgun’s Total Dominance
If you haven't watched "Shōgun" yet, what are you even doing? The show didn't just win; it colonized the drama categories.
Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai both took home the individual lead acting trophies. Seeing them on stage together was a highlight. Sawai was visibly crying, mentioned it was likely the last time the whole "Shōgun" family would be together like this. They also bagged the Drama Ensemble award and the Stunt Ensemble award.
That’s four wins. Complete sweep.
Comedy and Limited Series Highlights
The comedy side of the room was a bit more spread out. "Only Murders in the Building" finally got its flowers, winning Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. It felt like a lifetime achievement award for the trio of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, though it was specifically Martin Short who grabbed the Male Actor in a Comedy Series trophy.
Jean Smart won yet again for "Hacks." At this point, they should probably just rename the award after her.
In the Limited Series world:
- Colin Farrell won for "The Penguin." He’s unrecognizable in that role, and actors love a good transformation.
- Jessica Gunning won for "Baby Reindeer." Her portrayal of Martha was the definition of "performance that haunts you."
Why These Wins Actually Matter for the Oscars
The SAG Awards are the single most accurate predictor for the Academy Awards. Why? Because actors make up the largest branch of the Academy. If you want to know who is going to win an Oscar, you look at who won the SAG awards 2025.
Timothée Chalamet’s win puts him in the driver’s seat for Best Actor. Demi Moore’s win makes the Best Actress race a genuine toss-up between her and Mikey Madison. Usually, by February, we have a clear idea of who's taking the gold. This year? It’s a total toss-up.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before the Oscars, here is your homework based on the SAG results:
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- Watch "The Substance": Demi Moore’s win isn't just a career win; it's a performance that defines the year. It’s body horror, but the acting is top-tier.
- Catch "Conclave" in theaters or on VOD: If the actors think this is the best ensemble of the year, it’s worth seeing how that cast plays off each other.
- Finish "Shōgun": It’s rare for a non-English heavy show to sweep like this. It’s a masterpiece of subtle acting.
- Track the "A Complete Unknown" momentum: Chalamet is the youngest Best Actor winner in SAG history now. That momentum is real.
The 2025 awards season is officially weird, and that's the best thing that could have happened for cinema fans.