Report from Hollywood

Oscar countdown: These are the big favorites!

Hollywood legend Demi Moore could win Best Actress in a Leading Role.(Bild: AFP/NEILSON BARNARD)

The time has finally come on Monday night: "Krone" Hollywood insider Christian Thiele knows the best contenders.

Rarely has it been as exciting and close in the major categories as at this year's Academy Awards. Our Hollywood correspondent Christian Thiele, who will be reporting live from the Academy Awards in Los Angeles for the 25th time on Monday night, asked around the voting members of the film academy. He sees clear favorites - but the dynamic of the Oscar voting shows that anything remains possible until the last second ... especially with "Conclave" as a sudden last-minute secret tip.

Best Film: The scandal surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón has caused "Emilia Pérez" to falter. Profiteer? "The Brutalist" - but "A Complete Unknown" is also lurking for its chance. And "Conclave". Although the members of the Film Academy had to submit their ballots eight days ago, the health drama surrounding the 88-year-old Pope began four days before the voting deadline. Insiders therefore believe that "Conclave" could trump them all. Prediction: "The Brutalist" wins!

Ralph Fiennes could win his next Oscar as Cardinal.(Bild: AP/Focus Features via AP)

Mikey Madison(Bild: AP/Jordan Strauss)

Best Actor in a Leading Role: This is a neck-and-neck race between Ralph Fiennes and Adrien Brody - with the latter likely to come out on top. Not least because, according to "Variety", many voters seemed to believe that Fiennes had already won the Oscar in 1993 for his role as Auschwitz commander Amon Goeth in "Schindler's List". Ironically, however, it is Brody who already has an Oscar - as the youngest winner in the category for "The Pianist" (2003). Thiele's prediction: Adrien Brody wins.

Best director: Brady Corbet ("The Brutalist") is highly regarded. But Coralie Fargeat ("The Substance") could overshadow the men with her low-budget hit. Prediction: female power - Fargeat wins.

Director Edward Berger could also triumph with "Conclave".(Bild: AFP/Ben Stansall)

Best actress: Karla Sofía Gascón has catapulted herself out of the race with a tweet. Now it will be a duel between Mikey Madison ("Anora") and Demi Moore ("The Substance"). Prediction: Hollywood loves comebacks - Demi Moore wins.

Best Supporting Actor: Jeremy Strong? Guy Pearce? Or Yura Borisov? If everyone is arguing, someone else could win. Prediction: Kieran Culkin wins the Oscar for "A Real Pain".

Kieran Culkin (42), the younger brother of Macaulay Culkin, is hoping.(Bild: AP/Jordan Strauss)

Best Supporting Actress: Isabella Rossellini is considered the favorite, but Zoe Saldaña ("Emilia Pérez") and Monica Barbaro ("A Complete Unknown") are dangerous. Forecast: Rossellini scores with a nostalgia bonus.

Best Original Screenplay: Tim Fehlbaum ("September 5") is up against Sean Baker ("The Brutalist") and Coralie Fargeat. Prediction: Fargeat will win her second Oscar.

Best film music: Critics are backing Krist Bowers ("The Wild Robot"), but a German could surprise everyone. Prediction: Volker Bertelmann wins his second Oscar.

Best Foreign Film: Germany's hope "The Seeds of the Sacred Fig Tree" is an outsider. Thiele's prediction: "I'm Still Here" wins, and Brazil rejoices!