BAFTAs Make the Oscars Messy, From Timothée Chalamet’s Shocking Loss to Sean Penn and Wunmi Mosaku Proving Supporting Races Are Anyone’s Game

Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' dominated the 79th BAFTA Awards in London on February 22, 2026, winning six major prizes including best film, director, and supporting actor for Sean Penn, while Timothée Chalamet's surprising loss and competitive supporting races featuring Wunmi Mosaku have created a fractured, unpredictable landscape as the Oscar voting deadline approaches Thursday, Feb. 26. The ceremony has thrown the upcoming Oscar race into chaos with unexpected results that have reshaped predictions for the Academy Awards, positioning Anderson's film as a formidable contender while simultaneously highlighting the volatility of this year's awards season. As the final stretch approaches, the competitive nature of supporting actor categories has been particularly evident, with both Sean Penn and Wunmi Mosaku proving that these races remain wide open, potentially setting the stage for more surprises at the Oscars. The dominance of 'One Battle After Another' at BAFTA has significantly bolstered its chances at the upcoming Academy Awards, though the fractured field suggests that this year's ceremony could produce some of the most unpredictable results in recent memory as industry professionals prepare to cast their final votes.