Historical epic “Oppenheimer” garnered further acclaim on Saturday at Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, enhancing its prospects for clinching the coveted best picture accolade at the forthcoming Oscars ceremony.
The narrative, delving into the competition to construct the inaugural atomic bomb, clinched the paramount recognition – best movie cast – bestowed by members of the SAG-AFTRA actors union at a glitzy ceremony on the red carpet in Los Angeles.
Cillian Murphy, embodying scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, secured the title of best movie actor, whilst co-star Robert Downey Jr. attained the distinction of best supporting actor.
Irish actor Murphy revealed his journey into the profession subsequent to pursuing a career in music and frequently experiencing a sense of being an “interloper.”
“This is extremely special to me because it comes from you guys,” Murphy articulated to his fellow actors whilst receiving his award.
SAG-AFTRA’s selections are meticulously observed as actors constitute the largest cohort of voters for the Academy Awards, the pinnacle accolades in the film industry.
Presently, “Oppenheimer” appears indomitable. Director Christopher Nolan’s opus has already clinched laurels at the Golden Globes, the British Academy Film Awards, and other ceremonies.
The Producers Guild of America’s accolades, another pivotal prognosticator of Oscars triumph, will be unveiled on Sunday.
In other SAG commendations, the best actress distinction was bestowed upon Lily Gladstone, protagonist of “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Gladstone portrayed a member of the Osage Native American community afflicted by a series of murders in 1920s Oklahoma owing to their oil-rich land.
“My friends, fellow actors, I feel the good in what you have done,” Gladstone articulated. “We bring empathy into a world that so much needs it.”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph clinched the supporting actress award for her portrayal of a grieving mother in “The Holdovers.”
“How fortunate are we to engage in what we do. I wake up every day overwhelmed with gratitude to be a working actor,” Randolph expressed.
The awards were streamed live on Netflix for the first time, as part of the company’s endeavours to broaden its live programming.