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January 31, 2025

2025 Oscars: Picks and Predictions

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On Thursday, Jan. 23, the nominations for the 97th Oscars were announced, and we have opinions. Here are picks and predictions from some of our Arts and Culture editors and staff. 

Best Picture 

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – A Complete Unknown

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked

Sophia Romanov Imber ‘28 – Dune: Part 2

Melissa Moon ’28 – The Substance

James Palm ’27 – Dune: Part 2

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – I’m Still Here

Chloe Asack ’26 – The Brutalist

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Emilia Pérez

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Emilia Pérez

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part 2

Melissa Moon ’28 – Emilia Pérez

James Palm ’27 – Emilia Pérez

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Emilia Pérez

Chloe Asack ’26 – Conclave

Best Director 

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez 

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Brady Corbet – The Brutalist

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Sean Baker – Anora

Melissa Moon ’28 – Coralie Fargeat – The Substance

James Palm ’27 – Coralie Fargeat – The Substance

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – James Mangold – A Complete Unknown

Chloe Asack ’26 – Brady Corbet – The Brutalist

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Coralie Fargeat – The Substance

Melissa Moon ’28 – Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez 

James Palm ’27 – Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez

Chloe Asack ’26 –  Brady Corbet – The Brutalist

Best Actress 

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Melissa Moon ’28 – Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

James Palm ’27 – Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Karla Sofia Gascón – Emilia Pérez

Chloe Asack ’26 – Demi Moore – The Substance

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Demi Moore – The Substance

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Demi Moore – The Substance

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Demi Moore – The Substance

Melissa Moon ’28 – Demi Moore – The Substance

James Palm ’27 –  Demi Moore – The Substance

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Demi Moore – The Substance

Chloe Asack ’26 – Demi Moore – The Substance

Best Actor 

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Melissa Moon ’28 – Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown

James Palm ’27 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Sebastian Stan – The Apprentice

Chloe Asack ’26 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown

Melissa Moon ’28 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

James Palm ’27 –  Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Chloe Asack ’26 – Adrian Brody – The Brutalist

Best Supporting Actress

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Zoe Saldana – Emilia Pérez

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Ariana Grande – Wicked

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Ariana Grande – Wicked

Melissa Moon ’28 – Ariana Grande – Wicked

James Palm ’27 – Felicity Jones – The Brutalist

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Ariana Grande – Wicked

Chloe Asack ’26 – Felicity Jones – The Brutalist

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Ariana Grande – Wicked

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Zoe Saldana – Emilia Pérez

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Zoe Saldana – Emilia Pérez

Melissa Moon ’28 – Zoe Saldana – Emilia Pérez

James Palm ’27 – Zoe Saldana – Emilia Pérez

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Zoe Saldana – Emilia Pérez

Chloe Asack ‘26 – Zoe Saldana – Emilia Pérez

Best Supporting Actor 

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Yura Borisov – Anora

Melissa Moon ’28 – Guy Pearce – The Brutalist

James Palm ’27 – Guy Pearce – The Brutalist

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Chloe Asack ’26 – Guy Pearce – The Brutalist

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Melissa Moon ’28 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

James Palm ’27 – Guy Pearce – The Brutalist

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Guy Pearce – The Brutalist

Chloe Asack ’26 – Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

Best Original Screenplay

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Anora – Sean Baker

Jenna Ledley ’27 – A Real Pain – Jesse Eisenberg 

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Anora – Sean Baker

Melissa Moon ’28 – The Substance – Coralie Fargeat

James Palm ’27 – The Substance – Coralie Fargeat

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Substance – Coralie Fargeat

Chloe Asack ’26 – The Brutalist – Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – The Brutalist – Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold

Jenna Ledley ’27 – The Substance – Coralie Fargeat

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Anora – Sean Baker

Melissa Moon ’28 – The Brutalist – Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold

James Palm ’27 – Anora – Sean Baker

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Anora – Sean Baker

Chloe Asack ’26 – Anora – Sean Baker

Best Adapted Screenplay

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Jenna Ledley ’27 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Melissa Moon ’28 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

James Palm ’27 –  A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Sing Sing – Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin & John “Divine G” Whitfield

Chloe Asack ’26 – Conclave – Peter Straughan

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain & Nicolas Livecchi

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Melissa Moon ’28 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

James Palm ’27 – A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain & Nicolas Livecchi

Chloe Asack ’26 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain & Nicolas Livecchi

Best International Feature

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Jenna Ledley ’27 – I’m Still Here – Walter Salles (Brazil)

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – I’m Still Here – Walter Salles (Brazil)

Melissa Moon ’28 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

James Palm ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Flow – Miguel Gomes (Latvia)

Chloe Asack ’26 – I’m Still Here – Walter Salles (Brazil)

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Melissa Moon ’28 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

James Palm ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Chloe Asack ’26 – Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard (France)

Best Documentary Feature

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Porcelain War – Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leonytev (Picturehouse)

Melissa Moon ’28 – Porcelain War – Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leonytev (Picturehouse)

James Palm ’27 – Porcelain War – Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leonytev (Picturehouse)

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – No Other Land – Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor (No distributor)

Chloe Asack ’26 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Melissa Moon ’28 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

James Palm ’27 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat – Johan Grimonprez (Kino Lorber)

Chloe Asack ’26 – Sugarcane – Julian Brave NoiseCat & Emily Kassie (Nat Geo)

Best Animated Feature

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

Jenna Ledley ’27 – The Wild Robot – Dreamworks/Universal

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

Melissa Moon ’28 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

James Palm ’27 – Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – Aardman/Netflix

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Wild Robot – Dreamworks/Universal

Chloe Asack ’26 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

Melissa Moon ’28 – Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

James Palm ’27 –  Inside Out 2 – Disney/Pixar

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Wild Robot – Dreamworks/Universal

Chloe Asack ’26 – Flow – Janus Films/Slideshow

Best Cinematography

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Melissa Moon ’28 – Nosferatu – Jarin Blaschke

James Palm ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Chloe Asack ’26 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Nosferatu – Jarin Blaschke

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Melissa Moon ’28 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

James Palm ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Chloe Asack ’26 – Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraiser

Best Costume Design

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Gladiator II – Janty Yates

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked – Paul Tazewell

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Nosferatu – Linda Muir

Melissa Moon ’28 – Nosferatu – Linda Muir

James Palm ’27 –  Gladiator II – Janty Yates

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Nosferatu – Linda Muir

Chloe Asack ’26 – Nosferatu – Linda Muir

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 –  Wicked – Paul Tazewell

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked – Paul Tazewell

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Nosferatu – Linda Muir

Melissa Moon ’28 – Nosferatu – Linda Muir

James Palm ’27 – Nosferatu – Linda Muir

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Wicked – Paul Tazewell

Chloe Asack ’26 – Wicked – Paul Tazewell

Best Film Editing

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Wicked – Myron Kerstein

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked – Myron Kerstein

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Anora – Sean Baker

Melissa Moon ’28 – Wicked – Myron Kerstein

James Palm ’27 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

Chloe Asack ’26 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Anora – Sean Baker

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

Melissa Moon ’28 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

James Palm ’27 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Brutalist – Dávid Jancsó

Chloe Asack ’26 – Conclave – Nick Emerson

Best Production Design

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Patricia Vermette

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked – Nathan Crowley

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part Two – Patricia Vermette

Melissa Moon ’28 – Nosferatu – Craig Lathrop

James Palm ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Patricia Vermette

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Nosferatu –Craig Lathrop

Chloe Asack ’26 – Conclave – Suzie Davies

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Patricia Vermette

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Dune: Part Two – Patricia Vermette

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Nosferatu –Craig Lathrop

Melissa Moon ’28 –  Dune: Part Two – Patricia Vermette

James Palm ’27 –  Dune: Part Two – Patricia Vermette

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Wicked – Nathan Crowley

Chloe Asack ’26 – Wicked – Nathan Crowley

Best Original Score

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

Melissa Moon ’28 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

James Palm ’27 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Wild Robot – Kris Bowers

Chloe Asack ’26 – The Brutalist – Daniel Blumberg

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Clément Ducol & Camille

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

Melissa Moon ’28 – Wicked – John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

James Palm ’27 – Emilia Pérez – Clément Ducol & Camille

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Emilia Pérez – Clément Ducol & Camille

Chloe Asack ’26 – Emilia Pérez – Clément Ducol & Camille

Best Original Song

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Never Too Late (Elton John: Never Too Late) – Elton John & Brandi Carlile

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Never Too Late (Elton John: Never Too Late) – Elton John & Brandi Carlile

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Never Too Late (Elton John: Never Too Late) – Elton John & Brandi Carlile

Melissa Moon ’28 – Never Too Late (Elton John: Never Too Late) – Elton John & Brandi Carlile

James Palm ’27 – Never Too Late (Elton John: Never Too Late) – Elton John & Brandi Carlile

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

Chloe Asack ’26 – Like a Bird (Sing Sing) – Adrian Quesada & Abraham Alexander

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

Jenna Ledley ’27 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

Melissa Moon ’28 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

James Palm ’27 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

Chloe Asack ’26 – El Mal (Emilia Pérez) – Clement Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard

Best Sound

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – A Complete Unknown 

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part Two

Melissa Moon ’28 – Wicked

James Palm ’27 – Dune: Part Two

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Dune: Part Two

Chloe Asack ’26 – Dune: Part Two

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Wicked

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Emilia Pérez

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part Two

Melissa Moon ’28 – Wicked 

James Palm ’27 – Wicked

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Wicked

Chloe Asack ’26 – Emilia Pérez

Best Visual Effects

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Dune: Part Two

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part Two

Melissa Moon ’28 – Dune: Part Two

James Palm ’27 – Dune: Part Two

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Dune: Part Two

Chloe Asack ’26 – Dune: Part Two

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Wicked

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Dune: Part Two

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Dune: Part Two

Melissa Moon ’28 – Wicked

James Palm ’27 – Dune: Part Two

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – Dune: Part Two

Chloe Asack ’26 – Dune: Part Two

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Picks

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Wicked – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount & Sarah Nuth

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount & Sarah Nuth

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Nosferatu – David White, Traci Loader & Suzanne Stokes-Munton

Melissa Moon ’28 – The Substance – Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon & Marilyne Scarselli

James Palm ’27 – The Substance – Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon & Marilyne Scarselli

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Substance – Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon & Marilyne Scarselli

Chloe Asack ’26 – The Substance – Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon & Marilyne Scarselli

Predictions

Sydney Levinton ’27 – Wicked – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount & Sarah Nuth

Jenna Ledley ’27 – Wicked – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount & Sarah Nuth

Sophia Romanov Imber ’28 – Wicked – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount & Sarah Nuth

Melissa Moon ’28 – Nosferatu – David White, Traci Loader & Suzanne Stokes-Munton

James Palm ’27 – Wicked – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount & Sarah Nuth

Mia Roman-Wilson ’28 – The Substance – Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon & Marilyne Scarselli

Chloe Asack ’26 – Wicked – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount & Sarah Nuth