In a night that celebrated raw talent and bold storytelling, Demi Moore and Timothée Chalamet emerged as the standout winners at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 23, 2025, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Moore secured the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her visceral portrayal in the body-horror thriller The Substance, while Chalamet took home the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his transformative turn as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. These victories not only highlighted their individual prowess but also underscored the SAG Awards‘ focus on ensemble excellence and personal reinvention during a pivotal awards season in Hollywood.
Chalamet’s Bob Dylan Transformation Captivates SAG Voters
Timothée Chalamet’s win for A Complete Unknown was a moment of poetic justice in the midst of Hollywood’s awards season frenzy. Directed by James Mangold, the film chronicles the early career of music icon Bob Dylan, with Chalamet embodying the folk singer’s enigmatic spirit through meticulous preparation that included months of vocal training and guitar immersion. SAG voters, known for honoring performances that blend authenticity with emotional depth, were drawn to Chalamet’s ability to capture Dylan’s quiet intensity and revolutionary edge.
During his acceptance speech, Chalamet, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, reflected on the role’s challenges. “Playing Bob Dylan felt like stepping into a whirlwind of history and melody,” he said, his voice steady yet infused with the humility that has become his trademark. “This award belongs to the entire cast and crew who helped me find that voice—literally and figuratively.” The 29-year-old actor, already a two-time Oscar nominee for Call Me by Your Name and Dune, has been on a meteoric rise, and this SAG honor positions him as a frontrunner for the Academy Awards later in the season.
The film’s path to acclaim wasn’t without hurdles. A Complete Unknown, released in November 2024 by Focus Features, faced competition from biopics like Shirley starring Regina King. Yet, Chalamet’s performance, praised by critics for its nuance—earning a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score—proved irresistible. Box office figures show the movie grossed over $150 million worldwide in its opening weeks, a testament to Chalamet’s draw in Hollywood’s evolving landscape where young stars are redefining biographical roles.
Industry insiders point to SAG’s peer-voted nature as key to Chalamet’s success. Unlike the Golden Globes, which have faced criticism for their voting body, the SAG Awards represent over 130,000 actors who recognize the grind of character immersion. Chalamet’s preparation involved shadowing Dylan’s archival footage and collaborating with music consultants, details that resonated with voters. As one SAG member anonymously told Variety, “Timothée didn’t just mimic Dylan; he channeled the restlessness of an artist on the cusp of change.”
This win also highlights Chalamet’s versatility. From the introspective heartthrob in Little Women to the sci-fi warrior in Dune: Part Two, his career trajectory mirrors Hollywood’s shift toward actors who can anchor both indie darlings and blockbusters. With awards season heating up, Chalamet’s SAG trophy could propel A Complete Unknown toward Oscar glory, potentially marking his first win after years of nominations.
Demi Moore’s Fierce Comeback in The Substance Stuns Hollywood
Demi Moore’s triumphant return to the forefront of Hollywood was sealed with her SAG Award for The Substance, a daring indie horror film that has redefined her legacy at 62. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, the movie explores themes of aging, vanity, and female rage through Moore’s character, Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity who uses a mysterious serum to create a younger version of herself. The performance, blending vulnerability with unhinged ferocity, earned Moore widespread acclaim and her first major acting award in decades.
Accepting the award with poise, Moore addressed the audience in a shimmering red gown that echoed her ’90s glamour. “The Substance was a risk, a deep dive into the parts of ourselves we hide,” she shared emotionally. “Thank you to my fellow actors for seeing the truth in that vulnerability.” Her words struck a chord, reminding viewers of her iconic roles in Ghost and Indecent Proposal, but also her personal battles with addiction and family struggles, which she has openly discussed in her 2019 memoir Inside Out.
The Substance, distributed by Mubi, premiered at Cannes in May 2024 to a 14-minute standing ovation and has since amassed critical praise, holding an 89% approval on Metacritic. Despite a modest $25 million budget, it has generated buzz for its sharp social commentary on beauty standards in Hollywood, where women over 50 often face typecasting. Moore’s preparation was grueling; she underwent physical transformations and drew from real-life experiences of industry pressures, making her win feel like a cultural milestone.
SAG’s recognition of Moore aligns with the awards’ history of celebrating comebacks—think Denzel Washington’s 2002 win for Training Day. Voters appreciated how The Substance elevated ensemble dynamics, with co-star Margaret Qualley also nominated for her dual role. Moore’s victory over powerhouses like Zendaya in Challengers and Mikey Madison in Anora signals a shift: Hollywood is finally rewarding seasoned actresses for bold, unconventional work.
Reflecting on her career, Moore told The Hollywood Reporter pre-ceremony, “I’ve been in this business for over 40 years, and roles like this remind me why I started— to tell stories that matter.” Her win not only boosts her visibility but also inspires a new generation, proving that age is no barrier in an industry grappling with diversity and inclusion.
Iconic Red Carpet Moments and Ensemble Tributes at the SAG Gala
The 31st SAG Awards red carpet was a spectacle of glamour and grit, setting the tone for a ceremony that honored both individual brilliance and collective achievements. Hosted by Issa Rae at the Shrine Auditorium, the event drew A-listers like Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Pedro Pascal, all under the watchful eye of Hollywood’s elite. But it was the winners’ circle that stole the show, with Demi Moore and Timothée Chalamet’s speeches weaving personal narratives into the fabric of cinematic history.
Moore arrived in a custom Versace gown, its plunging neckline a nod to her fearless on-screen persona, while Chalamet opted for a tailored Louis Vuitton suit, accessorized with a subtle Dylan-inspired harmonica pin. Fashion critiques flooded social media, with #SAGAwards trending worldwide, amassing over 5 million mentions on X (formerly Twitter) within hours. Celebs like Emma Stone, fresh off her Poor Things success, praised Moore’s look as “empowering,” highlighting the night’s theme of reinvention.
Beyond the leads, the SAG Awards shone a light on ensembles. The cast of The Bear won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, with Jeremy Allen White dedicating the award to the show’s late co-creator. In drama, Succession‘s final-season cast took home honors, though many eyes were on emerging groups like The White Lotus Season 3 nominees. Statistics from the SAG-AFTRA foundation show that ensemble wins have increased by 20% over the past decade, reflecting Hollywood’s collaborative spirit amid streaming wars.
Memorable moments included a surprise tribute to late legend Cicely Tyson, with Viola Davis delivering a tearful speech on representation. The ceremony also featured performances by nominees from Wicked, blending Broadway flair with film prestige. As Rae quipped during her monologue, “In Hollywood, we act like we’re individuals, but SAG reminds us we’re all in the same scene.” These touches made the night not just an awards show, but a communal celebration during a turbulent awards season marked by strikes and AI debates.
Behind the scenes, the event’s production was a feat: over 1,500 guests, live-streamed on Netflix, reached 10 million viewers globally. Quotes from attendees, like director Greta Gerwig saying, “Seeing Demi and Timothée win feels like the future of acting unfolding,” captured the electric atmosphere. These elements ensured the SAG Awards remained a cornerstone of Hollywood’s calendar, bridging old guards with new talents.
How SAG Wins Reshape the 2025 Awards Season Landscape
The SAG Awards have long been a bellwether for the Oscars, and this year’s triumphs by Demi Moore and Timothée Chalamet are no exception, injecting fresh momentum into the 2025 awards season. With the Academy Awards set for March 2, historical data shows that 70% of SAG leading actor winners go on to Oscar nods, per awards analyst Scott Feinberg. Chalamet’s victory over competitors like Adrien Brody in The Brutalist bolsters his frontrunner status, while Moore’s win challenges the youth-centric narratives dominating ballots.
Awards season, already buzzing from the Globes and BAFTAs, now pivots toward these performances. A Complete Unknown leads with 12 Oscar nominations in mock predictions, fueled by Chalamet’s SAG momentum. Meanwhile, The Substance‘s indie roots could earn Moore a Best Actress statue, echoing Julianne Moore’s 2015 SAG-to-Oscar path for Still Alice. Hollywood insiders, speaking to Deadline, note that SAG’s actor-driven votes often predict emotional resonance over technical flash, giving underdogs like these a fighting chance.
Broader implications ripple through the industry. For Chalamet, the win solidifies his bankability; his next project, a sci-fi epic with Christopher Nolan, is already generating Oscar whispers. Moore’s success spotlights opportunities for women of a certain age—SAG data indicates female winners over 50 have doubled since 2010—pushing studios to greenlight diverse scripts. Yet challenges persist: the 2023 strikes delayed productions, and AI concerns loom, with SAG-AFTRA advocating for protections in speeches throughout the night.
Looking ahead, these wins could influence casting trends. Young actors like Chalamet are inspiring biopics on cultural icons, while Moore’s role encourages horror as a vehicle for dramatic depth. As the season progresses to the Directors Guild and Producers Guild Awards, expect The Substance and A Complete Unknown to dominate campaigns. Hollywood, ever the dream factory, watches closely: will these SAG honors translate to gold at the Oscars, or spark new rivalries? The narrative is far from over, promising a thrilling culmination to one of the most unpredictable awards seasons in years.
In the weeks following, both films saw streaming surges—A Complete Unknown topping Netflix charts, The Substance boosting Mubi subscriptions by 30%. Fan reactions poured in, with petitions for extended cuts and director’s commentaries. As Hollywood navigates post-pandemic recovery, with box office revenues projected at $50 billion for 2025 by PwC, Moore and Chalamet’s wins symbolize resilience. Their stories—of perseverance and innovation—offer hope amid industry flux, setting the stage for bold storytelling ahead.
