An In-Depth Look at the SAG Awards: Domestic Favorites Shine as International Films Miss the Mark
The recent nominations for the newly renamed Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA have sparked discussions about eligibility, particularly regarding foreign-language films. Observers were left wondering if performances in such films were now ineligible, given the lack of recognition for standout titles like Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent.
However, the SAG-AFTRA guild has a history of honoring international works, having awarded its prestigious Outstanding Cast prize to South Korea’s Parasite in 2019 and recognizing films like Emilia Pérez in the previous year. The rules regarding eligibility remain unchanged. Still, this year has seen significant international entries being overlooked entirely, which has drawn attention and surprise from within the industry.
The phrase “America First” seems to resonate through the nominations, which underscore a preference for domestic titles in this year’s selections.
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Jacob Elordi as The Creature in ‘Frankenstein‘
Ken Woroner/Netflix
Despite the competitive landscape this year, the SAG Nominating Committee, comprising 2,500 randomly selected members, successfully recognized numerous exceptional performances. Nevertheless, the disparity between the nominations for the Actor Awards and the forthcoming Oscar nominations—set to be announced on January 22—could be significant. As the Academy introduces an increasingly diverse international voter base, their preferences may diverge from those of SAG. This Sunday’s Golden Globes could also reflect such differences, with notable films like Sentimental Value and actors such as Wagner Moura and Lee Byung Hun in contention for recognition.
For context, Neon, which distributes many key international films this year, secured a leading 21 nominations at the Golden Globes. In contrast, the Actor Awards saw them without a single nod.
From left: Emma Stone, Aidan Delbis and Jesse Plemons in ‘Bugonia’
Atsushi Nishijima/Focus Features/Everett Collection
Nevertheless, significant contenders likely to feature prominently in the Oscars, including One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Frankenstein, received strong recognition from the SAG nominations. Notably, One Battle achieved a record seven nominations, reinforcing its frontrunner position after a successful run through the critics’ awards. Meanwhile, Sinners garnered nominations for both its cast and lead actor Michael B. Jordan, signifying a strong competitive presence.
Netflix and Focus Features appear to be benefitting considerably, with Frankenstein receiving three nominations. However, surprises emerged as actors like Odessa A’zion in Marty Supreme garnered acclaim, alongside Emma Stone and others who are well-positioned for future award considerations.
Kate Hudson in ‘Song Sung Blue’
The SAG nominations have also highlighted some new faces, with standout performances from individuals like Jason Bateman in Black Rabbit, Matthew Rhys, and Claire Danes in The Beast in Me. This year’s nominations have once again drawn parallels to the Emmy Awards, as several shows—including The White Lotus, Severance, and Abbott Elementary—remain familiar contenders.
As the awards season progresses, the growing sentiment around international and domestic film accolades will undoubtedly continue to evolve, providing industry watchers keen insights into the shifting dynamics of recognition and reward.
