‘Anora’! ‘The Brutalist’! Demi! Secret Oscar voters reveal their no-holds-barred ballots
Here in the final days of the 2025 Oscar season, Gold Derby has been sharing the secret — and unfiltered — ballots of several Academy Awards voters. We have compiled all of the results below in a slightly edited form. If you prefer to see the full ballots of each of our anonymous participants check them out here: Voter 1 | Voter 2 | Voter 3 | Voter 4 | Voter 5 | Voter 6
BEST PICTURE
Voter 1 (Emilia Pérez): I totally understand why some people will steer clear of supporting Emilia Pérez because of the offensive social media posts of its star from several years ago. But let me also add the obvious: it has nothing to do with the quality of the film, which to my mind is greater than its nine fellow nominees. You simply cannot watch this movie and not be bowled over by its cleverness and how distinctive and powerfully quirky it is. If the Academy Awards are about honoring originality — and to my mind, they should be — you can’t get much more original than this. There’s never been a movie even remotely like it before. Second place is Anora. Third place is Conclave.
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Voter 2 (Anora): This is a more likable and approachable film than several of the choices. I really like Sean Baker’s work, so I’m glad to see that he’s getting this recognition in both categories now. And then The Brutalist is a film that has a lot of power about the strength of the human spirit. The world that it took us through was also fascinating in the time period. Second place is The Brutalist. Third place is A Complete Unknown.
Voter 3 (The Brutalist): OK, The Brutalist technically is also not been spoken enough about, and I must say is a very, very, very, very beautifully done film visually on many levels. I was definitely glad to see it get in there for several of the crafts categories because it was such a late release. I like Anora, and Wicked is at the very opposite end, but there’s something very special [about Wicked]. It’s kind of a modern-day Mary Poppins or The Sound of Music. People could be more transparent about how they think about films without being criticized and thrown to the wolves… actually say what they really think about film. Second place is Wicked. Third place is Anora.
Voter 4 (The Brutalist): The Brutalist gave me some issues … but overall, it was this this real epic story that I think will be one that people return to. The part of it that I thought was so fascinating was the art and the artist. From a director’s standpoint, where you make art for others, it’s really for you and having to kind of give it back or give up control. Conclave is one of those movies that will be enduring … and continues to inspire or catch your interest in different ways. I’m kind of a populist sometimes with Best Picture, and I know others who don’t say that, so I think I would go Wicked near the top. Second place is Conclave. Third place is Wicked.
Voter 5 (Conclave): I love supporting films that I believe in, and if it wins, great. If not, I’m still showing the respect. The team who made that movie earned it in my mind. I know there’s people who just say let me look at the Golden Globes, I mean look at the New York and L.A. film critics and all that. I only use them to help whittle down the number of films that I prioritize to watch. I think Conclave is an underdog as of now, but I just really think that the director kind of got shafted. Second place is Emilia Pérez. Third place is A Complete Unknown.
Voter 6 (The Brutalist): No other film this year has made a stronger case for cinema being a legitimate and pure form of art than The Brutalist. It is a work of art, plain and simple. Beyond its themes about immigration and the American dream, it’s just as much a dissection of the human condition. The story, direction, and performances do justice to every single theme the film tackles, from power struggles to the design process. It’s also the most aesthetically pleasing film among the nominees; the marble sequence brought me to tears. I’m Still Here is a close second, I thought it was absolutely magnificent and it touched me on a very personal level. In third, Nickel Boys.
Totals: The Brutalist (3), Anora (1), Conclave (1), Emilia Pérez (1)
Current Gold Derby odds (combined): Anora 9/2; The Brutalist 13/2; Conclave 7/1; A Complete Unknown 17/2; Wicked 9/1; Emilia Pérez 21/2; The Substance 23/2; I'm Still Here 13/1; Dune: Part Two 15/1; Nickel Boys 18/1
BEST DIRECTOR
Voter 1 (Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez): For the longest time, I was going here with Sean Baker for Anora, but I didn’t like the way it ended. So I switched to Jacques. He put in such an amazing job on a film that had to be a bear to direct. There are so many stunning visuals, and presiding over this movie was really like handling two or three different styles in one: mob drama, musical, dark personality study. It’s so complex, and Jacques made it all appear seamless. A stunning job, really.
Voter 2 (Sean Baker, Anora): Another tough category, but one of the things that struck me about it was the craftsmanship. Sean really deserves the recognition for consistently delivering emotional connections in an understated fashion.
Voter 3 (Brady Corbet, The Brutalist): You feel like they really pulled that off being able to tell a story that lengthy? Yeah, people talk about that, don’t they?
Voter 4 (Brady Corbet, The Brutalist): Ultimately what he was building towards that you find out in the end, I think he did an incredible job on a budget that was not massive. There were a lot of moving parts, and it felt really big.
Voter 5 (Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez): Really tough category here. You know, it will be Brady Corbet, but my vote is going to go to Jacques. It’s just a crazy scenario to begin with, and to make it sympathetic and empathetic and to feel for her in spite of the fact of this brutal cartel guy. You know, the design and dynamic between them was pretty amazing.
Voter 6 (Brady Corbet, The Brutalist): What Corbet accomplished with The Brutalist is nothing short of mindblowing. With limited resources, he created what felt like a mega-production. Epic in scale, complex, and yet incredibly intimate at the same time. Every element of the production — from the cinematography to the production design — contributes to create a cohesive whole, and that’s down to Brady Corbet’s direction.
Totals: Corbet (3), Audiard (2), Baker (1)
Current Gold Derby Odds (combined): Sean Baker (Anora) 9/5; Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) 31/10; Coralie Fargeat (The Substance) 6/1; James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) 7/1; Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez) 7/1
BEST ACTRESS
Voter 1 (Mikey Madison, Anora): Mikey is such a find. I’d never heard of her before this movie. Had no idea who she was. And I’m sure I’m not alone. She was brilliant and versatile in Anora, totally self-possessed. It all comes across on the screen. I loved the scope of her work. There are so many scenes I could cite, like the one where they try to take away her ring and she just screams and screams. Screaming like that takes talent. I’m serious.”
Voter 2 (Demi Moore, The Substance): I know this is an interesting category now, and I was torn between Demi Moore and Mikey Madison. For Mikey, it was a real breakout performance, but I think I just have to be content that she has to be happy with the nomination. Demi has been one of the most visible actresses in the industry for many years with many important films. I think the role was very courageous because it’s saying, look, I’ve been part of this establishment and this movie is really tearing it apart and she goes all in on it and totally makes it work. I really feel comfortable, and, of course, she did make that great speech at the Golden Globes, too.
Voter 3 (Demi Moore, The Substance): Vulnerable and vulnerable just again! It encompasses what you’re meant to be doing, you know.
Voter 4 (Demi Moore, The Substance): It’s the vulnerability that I think it took to do some of the sequences that she did, especially the scene when she’s trying to get ready to go on a date. It was so heartbreaking, just not having the confidence and self kind of respect to get yourself out the door. She really went for it, even, a story that didn’t completely work.
Voter 5 (Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez): You do have the sleeper of Fernanda Torres, who was quite good in that movie. But my choice really is Karla. It was an incredible performance, it really was, and I think the movie hopefully doesn’t get tarnished from all this [controversy] because it deserves the attention that it brings.
Voter 6 (Fernanda Torres (I'm Still Here): Torres delivers such a pure performance, without the need of any prosthetics or special effects (something that is becoming rarer to find these days). The way she can express so much with a performance that is so internal is truly masterful. She moved me deeply.
Totals: Moore (3), Madison (1), Torres (1), Gascón (1)
Current Gold Derby Odds (combined): Demi Moore (The Substance) 11/5; Mikey Madison (Anora) 14/5; Fernanda Torres (I'm Still Here) 19/5; Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) 7/1; Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez) 19/2
BEST ACTOR
Voter 1 (Colman Domingo, Sing Sing): I was almost going to go with Sebastian Stan here for The Apprentice, who got better and better as that film went along. But I ultimately decided on Colman. because he’s so commanding, who not only gives a dynamic performance but is a classy and exceptional human being who deserves to be recognized. He’s very strong, just riveting, really. I loved Clarence Maclin, too, though he wasn’t nominated. The acting was the best thing about the movie, in my opinion.
Voter 2 (Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown): I think a lot of people were surprised by this film as I was that I first didn’t seem that interested in it. And then when I saw it I was blown away and was just totally drawn into the film completely. I have to attribute that to the acting, to Timothée Chalamet‘s performance. The world that they brought to life just felt very authentic to me.
Voter 3 (Adrien Brody, The Brutalist): It’s a perfect performance in a fantastic film. I don’t know the person, and I have no vested interest. I’ve got no monkey in this circus. It took my breath away.
Voter 4 (Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice): His acting was not like an impression, but he embodied this very complicated, real life person, which I think is a challenge. I think some others in the category, it was almost an imitation. This was the the one that spoke to me. I thought it was pretty transformative.
Voter 5 (Ralph Fiennes, Conclave): I think the momentum is going towards Adrien Brody, but my choice would be Ralph Fiennes. In the way Conclave has gotten overwhelmed by some of these other movies, and people don’t realize what an excellent film it was. The studio is working really hard to make sure that it stays in front of people and streaming now already.
Voter 6 (Adrien Brody, The Brutalist): Brody guides us through the epic journey that is The Brutalist. He’s able to convey László’s dreams, desires and frustrations in the subtlest of ways. I was inspired by the way his character sees art everywhere, in everyday objects, in life. Brody sells it throughout the entire 3 1/2-hour runtime. I wish I could vote for more than one actor, though. Timothée Chalamet’s performance was also very impressive.
Totals: Brody (2), Domingo (1), Chalamet (1), Fiennes (1), Stan (1)
Current Gold Derby Odds (combined): Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) 17/10; Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) 82/25; Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) 9/2; Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) 15/2; Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice) 17/2
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Voter 1 (Zoe Salda?a, Emilia Pérez): I mean, come on, Zoe was really the star of this film. I felt that she had much more presence than Karla Sofía Gascón. She’s so fiery and charismatic in this role, and I didn’t see anyone else who’s nominated in this category whose performance approached Zoe’s. I loved her. She’s riveting. The camera loved her. Her performance works on so many levels. If there’s a second place, I’d say Ariana Grande for Wicked.
Voter 2 (Zoe Salda?a, Emilia Pérez): I think she totally almost carried the film with her singing and the dancing, and her engagement was just so strong. Oh, she’s amazing. And then of course the other dramatic and and other other stuff that she does that’s in a movie that is very unconventional. I think she helped anchor it. My second choice there was Felicity Jones.
Voter 3 (Felicity Jones, The Brutalist): She’s my first choice because I think it’s a difficult role and very misunderstood. It’s unattractive, you know, it’s ugly, and people don’t like that, especially in Hollywood. Not her mind you but the way the character has to be performed.
Voter 4 (Zoe Salda?a, Emilia Pérez): Can I say Jamie Lee Curtis? Let’s be honest, I’m not in love with any of these, but I think I would say Zoe Salda?a because I think she does a lot,, but also does a little. She has beautiful choreographed numbers with singing, but she’s also kind of the the palm in the storm, and she handles all of it, I think, really in a very fantastical story. She is the thing that kind of brings it down to a a connecting force.
Voter 5 (Zoe Salda?a, Emilia Pérez): Zoe Salda?a in my mind deserves it, and I hope that this controversy doesn’t hurt her. Not only because of the strength of the performance in this movie, as we know, awards usually are more for the film, but more of a body of work scenario. You couldn’t take your eyes off her on the screen.
Voter 6 (Felicity Jones, The Brutalist): This was probably the hardest category to vote for. Isabella Rossellini is amazing in Conclave, but severely underutilized. Zoe Salda?a saves Emilia Pérez for me, but she’s the protagonist of the film; I wouldn’t feel comfortable voting for her as a supporting actress. Which leaves Felicity Jones, who is able to carry out a complete and fully-realized character arc despite only being in only half of the picture. I thought she was phenomenal.
Totals: Salda?a (4), Jones (2)
Current Gold Derby Odds (combined): Zoe Salda?a (Emilia Pérez) 31/20; Ariana Grande (Wicked) 37/10; Isabella Rossellini (Conclave) 11/2; Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) 13/2; Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown) 15/2
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Voter 1 (Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice): Jeremy may be the strongest contender in all the Oscars. He was just so good playing scary Roy Cohn. I’m just in love with him after seeing him in The Apprentice. You totally believe his performance. He had the mannerisms down, the voice, everything. I mean, it’s such a strong category. Edward Norton was amazing in A Complete Unknown, too. But for my money it’s just got to be Jeremy.
Voter 2 (Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain): Culkin just takes a very difficult role and, and I think totally pulls the audience into it in terms of his roller coaster emotional ride. It shows the complexity of the character in a really good way. My second choice there was Jeremy Strong for The Apprentice because I think he totally played a monster. A lot of these categories are really hard this year.
Voter 3 (Guy Pearce, The Brutalist): That’s a tour de force, an incredible performance of somebody who’s deserving and been around forever. It’s not a nice character, is it? But that’s the greatness of it.
Voter 4 (Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain): I thought that it was a perfect indie movie really, but such a well constructed film with these complex but knowable characters. And the different things that they’re struggling with and coming to grips with, and their relationships and you could just feel the pain of hearing Culkin’s character, but also the joy, and I just thought he did that.
Voter 5 (Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice): If I had my druthers, it would be Jeremy Strong. I knew of his despicable history every time, you know, and Jeremy just seemed to embody him. I think probably the distributor didn’t have the money to afford a a real campaign, because I would have had him everywhere opening supermarkets.
Voter 6 (Yura Borisov, Anora): Borisov’s performance perfectly complements the vertiginous pace of Anora. He was the costar of that final act, which was my favorite part of the movie. He manages to deliver a comedic performance with a lot of heart.
Totals: Culkin (2), Strong (2), Pearce (1), Borisov (1)
Current Gold Derby Odds (combined): Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) 3/2; Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) 9/2; Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown) 5/1; Yura Borisov (Anora) 6/1; Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) 7/1
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Voter 1 (Emilia Pérez): So from what I understand, it’s based on a novel, but it feels wildly original. Emilia is just so unique that it deserves points for that boldness, for being so different from every other film that’s come before. You have to applaud that creativity, and I am by voting for it. You can’t let the comments of one stupid actress ruin it for the rest of the nominations.
Voter 2 (Nickel Boys): I think that they were very courageous in translating that to the screen and should be recognized for that. It’s a really exceptional film, and I’d love to see it get some recognition at the Oscars for the creative chances they took with it.
Voter 3 (Conclave): Very hard choice here, but I’m going to say Conclave because I wanted to put a few films up for wins more than just one all of the time The other mature choice here would be Nickel Boys, but I would say I’m very torn.
Voter 4 (Nickel Boys): I think it’s a brilliant adaptation. It’s a tough story to translate, and I think the way that they did it was not expected. It’s very well done.
Voter 5 (Conclave): Old-school, great movie, great storytelling, just kind of got lost in my thoughts there. So that’s what I would vote for.
Voter 6 (Nickel Boys): I struggled with this category. Conclave has a strong screenplay, one that elevates the source material, but that final act is the weakest part of the film, and that’s down to the writing. I went with Nickel Boys, a really tough book to adapt but it worked for me on every level. I wish RaMell Ross had been nominated for Best Director, but I’ll gladly give him my vote in this category instead.
Totals: Nickel Boys (3), Conclave (2), Emilia Pérez (1)
Current Gold Derby Odds (combined): Conclave 3/2; A Complete Unknown 9/2; Nickel Boys 11/2; Sing Sing 6/1; Emilia Pérez 7/1
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Voter 1 (September 5): I know it’s a longshot for September 5 to win, but it truly deserves to. It’s a vastly underappreciated movie, with heart-pumping drama and great acting. And that screenplay spells it all out. I loved the machinations of the newsroom and the interaction, and it’s so quaint in a lot of ways because it’s all pre-technology. It’s such a terrific period piece, telling a story we all thought we knew in such a new and mesmerizing way.
Voter 2 (The Brutalist): That’s kind of a no-brainer. From the first frame, it’s so, so astounding and the epic story and the amount of time that he covers in the film is pretty amazing. Yet it’s still very, very, very powerful over the course of the film. It really sticks to you.
Voter 3 (Anora): I think Anora because it hit me on so many levels than the others. But I mean it could be Emilia Pérez. I could sway very easily. I was steadfast on this and now I’m thinking, hang on with Anora. I think every great movie should get something.
Voter 4 (A Real Pain): It’s kind of understated but really evocative of everyone's kind of journeys in their family out in the world, and just beautifully written.
Voter 5 (A Real Pain): I am voting for A Real Pain and hope it wins. I like it a little bit better than September 5. It was a movie that I’m sorry it ended in a way, because the story was telling was really good, the acting was incredible.
Voter 6 (Anora): I was really close to voting for The Brutalist in this category as well. I thought the dialogues were more profound and thought-provoking than Anora’s, but Anora is a different type of movie. Its structure is really creative, as is the way it tackles its themes. Yes, the dialogues may be a bit superficial, but they work completely within the context of the storySean Baker is telling.
Totals: Anora (2), A Real Pain (2), The Brutalist (1), September 5 (1)
Current Gold Derby Odds (combined): Anora 15/8; The Substance 19/5; A Real Pain 9/2; The Brutalist 11/2; September 5 9/1
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