Poll Position: Best Original and Adapted Screenplays

Reading Time: 4 minutes

We’re back again this week for another edition of Poll Position, this time looking at who will be vying for Oscar nominations in the categories of Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay, and how that matches up with what to expect at our own SAWards.

Best Original Screenplay

Anora

As I’ve said numerous times, I feel that it’s Anora vs. The Brutalist for Best Picture, and it feels likely that one of those two movies will win for screenplay as well. There have been some mixed reactions to Anora here so far, but I’ve seen enough love that it could get in for a SAWard nomination as well.

The Substance

The Substance already took home the top prize for its screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival, and with it seemingly gaining momentum for a Best Picture nomination, it’s easy to see it getting in for an Oscar as well. As for us at SAW, The Substance is going to dominate and it will get in here as well, mark it down.

The Brutalist

I’ve seen a little criticism about this movie possibly fizzling out at the end, but the reviews are still overwhelmingly positive. There’s no chance it misses for an Oscar nomination. We at SAW won’t see it in time to include it for a Sawwy.

Challengers

It’s likely going to be on the outside looking in when Oscar nominations are announced, but have no fear: SAW will give Challengers its roses. I still have not seen it, but the script is said to be one of the strongest pieces of the film.

A Real Pain

This looks like it is a pretty good bet for one of the Oscars slots right now. It’s not widely available yet, so hard to say whether Screenagers will nominate it, but probably not. Although I have seen some support for the film among our writers.

Heretic

It’s not that far down the Oscars list, but realistically has no shot to get in. But I could see SAW writers nominating Heretic for a screenplay nom assuming enough people have seen it before casting a ballot. There’s a lot of great dialogue that stands out.

Strange Darling

No chance at an Oscar, but Strange Darling has a lot of love from our writers and it’s got that non-linear, kind of twisty structure going on that could make it stand out as far as screenplay is concerned.

Rebel Ridge

There’s plenty of love here for Rebel Ridge and I think screenplay is one of those categories where you could see it sneak in for a nomination in a not-too-crowded field. Not on the Oscars’ radar at all.

A Different Man

I’m planning to watch this before the New Year. I don’t know how many of our folks are going to see this in time for voting but the idea seems in line with a SAWard.

September 5

We won’t see this in time for awards, but it will probably round out the Oscar five as there is not a ton of competition and the script is one of the stronger elements of September 5 according to critics.

Hundreds of Beavers

Could a near-silent film really get a nomination for Best Screenplay at the SAWards? This will still probably fly too under the radar, but a few people here stand to throw love in this movie’s direction. Who knows?

Best Adapted Screenplay

Conclave

It seems most people whether Oscars pundits or SAW writers agree that this is a solid movie, and it basically revolves around people in a room talking. Hard to see this one missing in either nomination announcement.

Sing Sing

One of the best movies of the year, Sing Sing is another movie that relies heavily on dialogue. With a thin field in Adapted Screenplay, it should safely get an Oscar nomination and very well may get a Sawwy nom so long as enough writers put eyes on it.

Wicked

Wicked has a very strong shot at getting an Oscar nom here and I’d imagine a pretty good chance at making our SAWards too. There are very few options to pick from, and there were decisions made when adapting the script that I think benefited the movie greatly.

Dune: Part Two

It’s been said many times before that Dune was once thought of as the “unfilmable story.” That alone should warrant an adapted screenplay nomination for bringing that story to life on the big screen in a way that captivated critics and audiences alike. Expect this to pop up in both Oscars and SAWards.

Nickel Boys

It sounds like the film adaptation of The Nickel Boys, a Pulitzer-prize-winning novel, is fairly radical in its adaptation which will probably help it find a nomination with the Oscars. I don’t anticipate it will have the votes necessary for a Sawwy nom.

Emilía Peréz

The Oscars are doing Emilía Peréz, the SAWards are probably not. It appears this will probably round out the Oscars five. Don’t put any money on it appearing in the SAWards.

The Wild Robot

Maybe the first movie out for the Oscars, there’s reason to believe we here at SAW might swap in The Wild Robot for Emilía Peréz. We’re pretty open to giving animated movies their due, and there’s so little competition here I honestly can’t imagine many other options.

Best Original Screenplay Predictions

Oscars

1. Anora
2. The Brutalist
3. The Substance
4. A Real Pain
5. September 5

SAWards

1. Challengers
2. The Substance
3. Strange Darling
4. Rebel Ridge
5. Anora

My Five

1. The Substance
2. Heretic
3. Red Rooms
4. My Old Ass
5. Rebel Ridge

Best Adapted Screenplay Predictions

Oscars

1. Conclave
2. Sing Sing
3. Nickel Boys
4. Emilía Peréz
5. Dune: Part Two

SAWards

1. Sing Sing
2. Conclave
3. Dune: Part Two
4. Wicked
5. The Wild Robot

My Five

1. Sing Sing
2. Conclave
3. Wicked
4. Dune: Part Two
5. *Inside Out 2 (pending watching The Wild Robot)