Overview

• Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet emerged from Telluride as the leading Best Picture contender on the strength of raves from critics and audiences, according to trade coverage.
• Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia played strongly with festivalgoers, with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons drawing prominent awards buzz for their performances.
• Netflix positioned multiple contenders at the festival, highlighting Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly for best-picture consideration.
• Rival campaign strategists reported pockets of skepticism toward Hamnet’s reception, signaling a contested frontrunner narrative as campaigning accelerates.
• Several well-reviewed titles remain without distribution, including H Is for Hawk, as buyers cite full slates, with focus shifting to Venice’s conclusion and Toronto’s launch.