The 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) were held this past weekend, and while several films won multiple awards that night, the religious dramaConclavetook home two of the biggest wins. Actors such as Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison won the prizes for Best Actor and Actress forThe BrutalistandAnora, respectively. Still,Conclavewon Best Film and Outstanding British Film, beating out 10 other nominees in the latter category. The film also won the award for Adapted Screenplay and Editing, for a total of fourBAFTA wins.
The movie, which starsRalph Fiennesand an ensemble of talented actors, including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini, tells an enthralling story about the succession of power in the Vatican. With the death of the Pope, a conclave is assembled to elect the next leader, as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes) begins investigating and uncovering various scandals involving potential candidates. Moreover, all this happens while the conclave is shut out from the outside world, leading to increased tensions and uncertainty.
Named one of the top 10 filmsof the year by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute,Conclaveis undoubtedly worthy of the awards it received at the BAFTAs. Still, the film’s competition was tough, facing heavy hitters likeThe BrutalistandA Complete Unknown. Following these two big wins forConclave, the question now becomes whether this might be a sign ofthings to come at the Academy Awards in March.
Do The Big BAFTA Wins For ‘Conclave’ Indicate Success at the Oscars?
When looking at the past two years of the BAFTAs compared to the Academy Awards, there is an interesting contrast in 2023 and several similarities in 2024. The 2023 British ceremony heavily awardedAll Quiet on the Western Front. In contrast, the Oscars gave seven of its biggest awards (including best picture) to the A24 filmEverything Everywhere All at Once. So, while 2023 may have suggested BAFTA award winners aren’t indicative of what to expect at the Academy Awards, 2024 would immediately contradict that. Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimercleaned up at the BAFTAs andthe Oscars in 2024.
What to Know About the 2025 Best Picture Oscar Nominees and Where to Stream Them
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It’s an obvious toss-up, especially since finding an equivalent toOppenheimeramongthis year’s nomineesis difficult. So, whileConclavewon big, it’s still difficult to tell how many awards it will take home on March 2nd. The movie has eight Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor nomination for Fiennes and a Best Picture nomination, equivalent to the Best Film award thatConclavewon at the BAFTAs.
There is plenty of excitement leading up tothe Oscars. Given thatThe Brutalist(another favorite to win the big awards) andConclavewon the same number of BAFTAs, it’s about as even a matchup as it can get going into the big ceremony. Awards fans looking to catch up with one of the year’s best films can check outConclaveon Peacock or purchase the movie on digital platforms.
