Overview
- Buckley has swept the major precursors — Golden Globes (drama), Critics’ Choice, the Actor Awards (SAG) and BAFTA — a combination that has historically pointed to an Oscar win.
- Pundits still flag upset scenarios, most notably Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and Emma Stone for Bugonia, citing the category’s record of late surprises.
- Hamnet enters the ceremony with eight nominations, including best picture, best director for Chloé Zhao and best adapted screenplay for Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell.
- Ireland’s broader presence at this year’s Oscars extends beyond Buckley, with Irish-backed companies tied to Bugonia and Blue Moon and further nods in visual effects and animated short.
- The 98th Academy Awards take place tonight at the Dolby Theatre with Conan O’Brien hosting, as minor publicity chatter around Buckley is widely seen as unlikely to alter the race.