It’s finally the end of the road for Oscar season with the Academy Awards taking place on Sunday.

It’s been a fun awards season overall with several twists and turns that have made this one of the more uncertain final stretches in recent memory. While there are a couple of stone cold locks heading into Sunday, the lead acting and best picture races seem to be truly battles that can go multiple ways.

So which way will the final turn go? Will there be more shockers? Or will it wind up being a predictable end to an unpredictable build up?

Here is how I see everything shaking out on Sunday with my picks on who will win and who should be winning. And remember if you lose your pool don’t blame me.

Best Picture

A season that began with “Anora” as the favorite has seen plenty of contenders emerge, only to fall by the wayside. “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Perez” seemed poised to be in the discussion, but both have tailed off and are now nothing more than long shots at best.

“Anora” then appeared back in control after winning the Producer’s Guild, Writer’s Guild and Director’s Guild, but “Conclave” has gained late momentum by taking best picture at the British Academy Film Awards and the best ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild.

Has “Conclave” done enough to overtake “Anora?” It’s possible, but I think “Anora” has just enough steam left to cross the finish line.

Personally my choice would be “The Substance,” which was my pick as best film of 2024, but “Anora” was a close second so it will make an acceptable – and somewhat deserving win.

Should win: The Substance

Will Win: Anora

Best Actor

Adrian Brody in “The Brutalist” appeared to be headed to his second Oscar without much of a fight until Timothy Chalamet’s turn as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” pulled off the upset at the SAGs.

Chalamet’s turn as Dylan is certainly better than Rami Malek’s win as Freddy Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which won the Oscar five years ago, so the case can be made that Chalamet deserves it. Still, I think Brody will be the winner – and ultimately the way for the Academy to honor “The Brutalist” now that picture and director are likely off the table.

Should win: Chalamet

Will win: Brody

Best Actress

The biggest suspense of the night will come here where a case can be made for three of the nominees.

Demi Moore with the performance of a lifetime in “The Substance” has been the (deserved) front runner since her Golden Globe win, but Mikey Madison’s star-making turn in “Anora” has gained a lot of late momentum – including a BAFTA win. Moore’s SAG win halted that momentum somewhat, but Madison still has history on her side. The last three SAG winners to not win the Oscar lost to a BAFTA winner – including last year when Emma Stone beat Lily Gladstone.

Golden Globe drama winner Fernanda Torres in “I’m Still Here” is still lurking as a possible spoiler (she was not nominated for a BAFTA or a SAG), but I think it comes down to Madison and Moore. Since Moore is the one winner I want more than anyone else on Oscar night, I’m gonna lean Madison. It’s not a bad choice. In fact in any other year, it would probably be the right choice. But man it’s going to be disappointing to see Moore get this close and not win.

Should win: Moore

Will win: Madison

Best Supporting Actor

Kieran Culkin’s turn in “A Real Pain” has steamrolled through the awards season and appears to be one of two locks of the night. It’s a very good performance, even if it is probably more co-lead than supporting, so it’s going to be a fun choice.

Still, I wish Jeremy Strong’s scene stealing work as Roy Cohen in “The Apprentice” would have been more of a factor. It’s probably my favorite male performance of the year that sadly not a lot of people have seen.

Should win: Strong

Will win: Culkin

Best Supporting Actress

Like Culkin, Zoe Saldana in “Emilia Perez” has been the overwhelming favorite the entire awards season. It’s good work, but with her character essentially a co-lead it has no business being in supporting.

Of the other nominees that actually fit the supporting part of the category I wouldn’t mind seeing Monica Barbaro’s turn as Joan Baez awarded. A Barbaro win or a win by anyone else other than Saldana would be one of the biggest surprises in the history of the Oscars.

Should win: Barbaro

Will win: Saldana