There’s very little standing in the way of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert becoming only the third duo to win Best Director. While they may have lost at the Golden Globes to Steven Spielberg and at BAFTA to Edward Berger, there’s no real reason to read anything into either of those losses. We know the HFPA adores Spielberg and The Fabelmans was still riding high as a frontrunner at that point. And BAFTA went completely nuts for All Quiet on the Western Front, so Berger’s victory wasn’t a huge shock.
Since then, the Daniels have recovered to win at Critics’ Choice and, more importantly, the Directors Guild of America, cementing their place as the undisputed leaders of this race. Can I really make a case for any of the other nominees? To be frank, no. Everything Everywhere All at Once has surged to lead the Best Picture race and it’s unfathomable the two men responsible for its creation won’t be awarded as well.
BEST DIRECTOR PREDICTIONS:
1. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert – Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24) – BAFTA, CCA, GG, DGA
2. Todd Field – TÁR (Focus Features) – BAFTA, CCA, DGA
3. Steven Spielberg – The Fabelmans (Universal Pictures) – CCA, DGA, GG
4. Martin McDonagh – The Banshees of Inisherin (Searchlight Pictures) – BAFTA, CCA, DGA, GG
5. Ruben Östlund – Triangle of Sadness (NEON)
Will win: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Should win: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Possible shocker: Steven Spielberg