TheOscarsare a glitzy, grand spectacle revealing the results of anindustry-wide ballot conducted by its Hollywood-elite members.
Read on to see what a sampling of anonymous Academy members are voting for at the 2025 Oscars.
The Publicist:An industry titan who has worked with top-name talent and projects across an accomplished career.
2025 Oscars Secret Ballot: Anonymous Academy members reveal picks.
Writer:She seems to be toast, in terms of her chances.
I didn’t love the film.
I was also thinking if I’d vote for Zoe Saldana in supporting.
Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’; Timothée Chalamet in ‘A Complete Unknown’.Searchlight Pictures; MUBI
Somebody’s beliefs or s—ty quotes shouldn’t affect somebody else’s work.
Her apology or lack thereof doesn’t feel that genuine.
Publicist:I am utterly disgusted at the racism and hatred.
Karla Sofía Gascón ‘Emilia Pérez’.Shanna Besson/PAGE 114
I feel like the Academy should rescind that nomination.
Its not just an opinion; its true hate speech.
I think it has derailed the campaign.
Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, and director Sean Baker on the set of ‘Anora.'.Neon /Courtesy Everett
The film has already had strong detractors to begin with.
From what Im hearing from fellow Academy voters, it will affect their decision.
Thoughts on no Best Original Song performances during Oscars telecast
Director:I feel fine.
Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in ‘A Complete Unknown’.Macall Polay/Searchlight Pictures
Obviously, I love music;I don’t need musical performancesas part of the four-hour show.
But, I’m good.
I don’t need more show.
Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’.MUBI/Everett
Writer:I actually didn’t know that, but I feel okay about it.
Those end up taking so much time, and they’re not always my favorite….
I definitely thinkElton Johnshould perform; I don’t think it’s the Oscars if he doesn’t!
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in ‘A Real Pain’.Courtesy of Sundance Institute
Publicist:It feels like a repeat.
I think its a disservice, period.
Theyre leaving out an incredible opportunity to illuminate artists, so thats unfortunate.
Zoe Saldaña in ‘Emilia Pérez’.PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHÉ FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA
The firstDune, I couldn’t get through; I’m not rushing for another three hours ofDune.
There’s still time to re-evaluate, but I really struggled.
Hearing myself say these things, perhaps I should abstain.
Fernanda Torres in ‘I’m Still Here’.Adrian Teijido/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
I think, after a talk with my therapist, I will probably abstain [altogether].
1 pick toConclaveoverA Complete Unknown
Writer:There was very little aboutAnorathat I responded to.
I say that with respect toward her and the director, but not enough to carry a whole movie.
Halfway through I was like, why am I watching this?
I’m surprised I saw the whole thing.
It feels really old-fashioned in a terrible way.
This is how we fix things, right?
The whole thing was so not for me….
I lovedConclaveagainst all of my being.
I’m not religious, but I grew up in a Catholic [household].
I’m anti-Vatican, so I’m surprised I loved that movie as much as I did.
I loved the ending it was so surprising and unusual.It would beThe Substanceand thenConclave.
I haven’t seenDune, so I’d have to abstain from that.
The filmmaking isn’t particularly good.
I might’ve not liked the other ones, but I still feel there’s a heartbeat.
Abstain:Dune: Part Two
Publicist:Emilia Perezwill not be making its way to my ballot.
I place it on myself; when I walked into the theater, I wasnt in the right headspace.
It wasnt compelling to me.
It was too long.
In terms of the film, it couldve been way shorter and still impactful.
This is my film.
I guess its not going to win, but Im going to give it my vote.
[Im abstaining from ranking]Dune: Part TwoandNickel Boys.
But,TheSubstanceandThe Brutalist, Ive seen parts of them, and Ill take a stab at watch them.
I was disappointed thatNightbitchdidnt get anything.
I thoughtAmy Adamswas amazing.
It moved me so much and spoke to me.
I was disappointed that it went unnoticed completely.
He chose a difficult subject matter.
It’s squarely in hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold territory.
AndThe Substance, my apologies, I haven’t seen it yet.
Maybe I’m wasting a vote on someone who didn’t take big chances.
This is so not the place.
It also made him seem so privileged in so many ways.
In regards to women, this list is all white men, except forCoralie Fargeat.
I definitely voted for Coralie.
Publicist:This was also challenging.
Wasnt the budget under $10 million?
Its incredible what Brady did.
Casting Director:I think Im going withSean Baker forAnora.
What he did was special.
The cinematography was amazing, the cinematic language there is amazing.
Its a glimpse into a world I dont know, and it was mesmerizing.
Its all [credit to] him, I feel.
But, for me,Ralph Fiennesgets the vote.
I loveAdrien Brody’s performance, too.
It’s a tie.
Can it be a tie?
I just really loved the way that Ralph had such a subtle ambiguity.
I just think that’s a tightrope to watch.
Writer:I’ll probably go forTimothee Chalamet.
The last movie I’ve yet to see isSing Sing, which I’ve heard is good.
I might change my mind once I see that.
But, if that doesn’t change it, then yes.
I feel alone in thinkingA Complete Unknownwas fine, I didn’t love it, but he was amazing.
As much as I loveConclave, Ralph Fiennes was great, but it wasn’t super moving.
I was impressed by Chalamet.
It’s always tough to play somebody we know, nevermind someone as specifically weird as Bob Dylan is.
I thought he did a great job, and I generally like him.
I’m very mixed onThe Brutalist.
It has more to do with what the movie stands for.
It felt like poverty porn, the whole thing.
What is the point of this?
Publicist:This is one of the toughest categories.
I didnt seeThe Apprentice.
I still havent made up my mind, but its betweenTimothee Chalametand Ralph Fiennes.
Im going with Timothee.
I saw a transformation of Timothee in that role.
I know hes incredibly well-liked and popular, people lust after him and blah, blah, blah.
Ive never been in that camp.
I just thought this performance was so authentic.
He inhabited the role.
Casting Director:Im not sure about this category.
For now, Im withTimothee Chalamet forA Complete Unknown, but I havent seenThe Brutalistyet.
So, maybe someone else deserves a chance.
For now, Im with Timothee, but that might change.
Maybe I should abstain until I do.
Writer:Perhaps predictively,Demi Moore.
I might’ve considered Karla, because I think her performance was really good.
But, acting-wise, I think Demi’s performance is amazing and balls-to-the-wall and insane in a good way.
The movie doesn’t totally work for me.
I don’t know if it really is.
Publicist:Im choosingDemi Moore.
I thought she was exceptional.
Heres an actor whos had decades of work.
Its the juncture of, this is the moment, its her time.
ThatGolden Globes speech did wondersfor this campaign.
Casting Director:Im voting forMikey Madison forAnora.
I very much loved the whole performance.
She was incredibly deep and layered.
I havent seen the performance of Demi Moore inThe Substance.Its not my cup of tea, the genre.
But, I have seen parts of it.
My taste in acting is in a more realistic style.
I loved that Mikey was so realistic.
I can imagine knowing that person.
Overall,The Apprenticeexceeded my expectations.
Both he andSebastian Stanhave the most screen time, and they made incredibly wise, skilled storytelling choices.
I think his instincts were impeccable.
Writer:I’d go forKieran Culkinhere.
The movie is beautiful and really worked for me.
I saw this really early on, I didn’t know much about it.
It’s the bang out of movie that I like.
It’s personal, it’s really about feelings and the power of family history and trauma.
Publicist:Kieran Culkin.
I thought he was fantastic.
One of my favorite films of the year, and Im disappointed it didnt get nominated for Best Picture.
I want to see that film rewarded, because its so excellent.
I will admit that I havent seenThe Apprentice.
I dont have the mental bandwidth or mental capacity for anything with Roy Cohn and f—ingDonald Trump.
Thats where we are in this world.
I dont want to watch a film about them.
Casting Director:I likeKieran Culkin.
I actually loved the film, and I was really sad it didnt get more nominations.
You believe him and the character.
You believe his pain, and you’re able to see all of this in his eyes.
Oscars secret ballot picks for Best Supporting Actress
Director:This was tricky.
In spite of [not liking]Emilia Perez, I went with Zoe Saldana.
I’ve always admired the difficult demand on an actor to commit.
Boy, did she.
She had plenty to do, she didn’t need to do that film.
It was a risk.
Writer:I still think I’ll go withZoe Saldana.
I thought she was great.
I like her as an actress and a person.
I lovedIsabella RosselliniinConclave, but it was such a small role.
I’m surprised she got nominated.
It’s almost like Judi Dench inShakespeare in Love.
At least that was ascene, this is like, what, two sentences?
Publicist:Im torn between Zoe and Isabella.
Zoes performance is incredible, despite the controversy.
I thought her performance was integral; shes the heart of the story.
But, theres something aboutDavid Lynch passing, Im going to vote forIsabella Rossellini.
Its the dictionary definition of a supporting actress.
This role gave her a great opportunity to break out.
Its not the showiest role, [especially] if you compare her to Ariana Grande.
Casting Director:Im voting forAriana Grande.
I love musicals andWickedjust made my heart so happy.
I saw it four times in the theater, and it was just wonderful.
Shes so witty, funny, and cute.
You love her, even though you sometimes hate the character.
Its a huge role.
Some of the other nominees are very,verysupporting.
Its almost a lead role.
Awards for creative endeavors can be a little silly.
But, I’m so glad the Oscars exist because it’s such an amplifier for world cinema.
In terms of the world cinema category this year, that’s the one I’m thinnest on.
The only ones I’ve seen areGirl With a NeedleandEmilia Perez.
I’ve got three more to go.
I’m not afraid to abstain, if careers are on the line.
I’m careful about that.
Writer:I think I’m going withFlow.
I might’ve actually given it toEmilia Perezbefore this whole mess.
I might still do that.
But, I lovedFlow.
It’s an unusual movie, it’s silent, I loved the filmmaking of it.
Latvia is a small country, and I don’t know if they were nominated before for anything.
France andEmilia Perezhave a chance of getting Oscars elsewhere.
Publicist:I’m Still Herecompletely took me off guard.
Casting Director:Emilia Perez.I thought it was really powerful.
Im a very big musical fan.
It was very well-made and well-performed.
These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
