Secret Oscar Voter 4: Ballot exposed with ‘The Brutalist,’ Sebastian Stan, Demi Moore
Here in the final stages of the 2025 Oscar season, several Academy Awards voters have revealed their ballots to Gold Derby, telling us who they voted for — and why. We promised to keep their identities confidential and their comments unfiltered. Now that voting has concluded, we will share a few of the no-longer-secret ballots with you. Below are the selections of Voter 4. You can also read the summary of secret Oscar Voter 1, Oscar Voter 2, and Oscar Voter 3.
BEST PICTURE: 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.
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BEST DIRECTOR: 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.
BEST ACTRESS: 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.
BEST ACTOR: 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.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: 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.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: 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.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: 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.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: A Real Pain
It’s kind of understated but really provocative of everyone’s kind of journeys in their family out in the world, and just beautifully written.
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