We’re looking at each individual category for the Oscars and what our thoughts are going into the final stretch. We’ll adjust our thoughts based on the precursor associated with this category, American Society of Cinematographers. Below are our predictions in Best Cinematography.

Best Cinematography

Winner Predictions

• The Brutalist (WL P) [New] (PP P) [New] (TL O)
• Dune: Part Two
• Emilia Pérez
• Maria
• Nosferatu

Runner-Up Predictions

• Nosferatu (WL O) (PP P) [New] (TL P) [New]

(color and symbol key at bottom of page)

Wesley Lovell: When the guild selects Maria, you have to question what they are thinking (other than selecting a legendary cinematographer). Does this have any chance of carrying over to the Oscars? Unlikely. Had they announced a week earlier before the ballots were due, possibly. At this point, we have to look at the BAFTA win for guidance.
Pete Patrick: The stunning cinematography of The Brutalist can’t be denied.  If there is an upset, the equally stunning cinematography of Nosferatu would seem to be the most likely.
Thomas La Tourrette: Wow, the guild came out with an unexpected winner in Maria. I had figured it was an easy win for The Brutalist or perhaps an upset by the eerie work of Nosferatu. Or going out on a limb, perhaps a repeat win for Dune: Part Two as the original won this award. But Maria was a surprise. Will this change who wins the Oscar? Probably not. The award comes after voting is done and people who might have been swayed by the vote cannot change their minds now. Maria was pretty to look at, and I heard one cinematographer call it the best work of the year, but I do not think most people will see it that way. Emilia Pérez will definitely not win, and Maria seems pretty far down that list too. I would even say that Dune: Part Two has little chance of winning. The race remains between Nosferatu and The Brutalist. Nosferatu boasted exceptionally moody work which suited the film. The Brutalist was filmed in VistaVision, a format that has not been used much in decades, and the artistry of that will be appreciated. Even if some of the Academy members do not make it through the entire movie, they will be impressed by the camera work. Winning the BAFTA should foreshadow its win at the Oscars, though the guild showed that it is not an inevitable choice.

KEY: