CGI primates from “Better Man” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” face off in this year’s Oscars race for best visual effects.

By the time the Oscars wind around after months of other award shows and constant handicapping, the prizes can feel almost predetermined

Keeping in mind the unusually diffuse nature of this year, here are my best guesses as to who will triumph in the eight most competitive categories at the 2025 Academy Awards—and who I believe deserves the accolades.

I always find myself rooting not necessarily for the actor who gave the best performance — because, really, who can say which of two entirely different performances is “better”? — but for the one I think would make the best speech.