Overview

• The Los Angeles Times’ first post‑festival ballot shows a double‑digit Best Picture lead for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another over Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, with Sinners and A House of Dynamite next in line.
• Anderson also tops early Best Director voting with a similar cushion, while Kathryn Bigelow, Ryan Coogler and Zhao are positioned as leading contenders.
• Critics note Anderson’s 11 Oscar nominations without a win, framing the new film as a plausible breakthrough for the filmmaker.
• Hamnet’s People’s Choice win at Toronto is viewed as a strong signal, with 16 of the last 18 recipients later earning Best Picture nominations.
• Commentary contends Ryan Coogler’s spring‑released Sinners should remain a serious player despite timing concerns, and outside forecasts characterize the broader field as competitive rather than settled.