Why do we watch movies? To dream? To escape? To find inspiration? To ease our stress? Whatever the reason, films have a unique magic—they tap into our hidden pains and desires, offering us a mirror for reflection and a window into what’s to come. They resonate because they embody the symbols of our collective unconscious.
I never cared about the Oscars—until I became an archetypal astrologer. Why? Because the winning film often serves as a profound reflection of the times. Take Parasite (2019), which won Best Picture in 2020. Its themes of class struggle, inequality, and claustrophobia eerily paralleled the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—aligning with the Saturn-Pluto conjunction that shaped the years from 2018 to 2021. Or Slumdog Millionaire (2008), which took home Best Picture in 2009, symbolizing the rise of the everyday person—perfectly in sync with the Uranus-Pluto cycle (2007–2021), an era that empowered the masses and, in retrospect, foreshadowed the social media revolution where anyone could become rich and famous.
That’s why I’m obsessed with movies. Not just for enjoyment, but to understand the present and anticipate the future. And this Sunday, March 2nd, the 97th Academy Awards will take place. So, I thought I'd provide an analysis for which film deserves to win Best Picture, purely through the lens of archetypal psychology and planetary alignments. Let’s dive in.
And the Oscar goes to...
Well, I truly hope so! When I started watching Anora, I did not realize the ride I was going to be taken on. It truly surprised and moved me. And if you have not seen the film then I urge you to stop reading and watch it! Because....spoiler alert.
Jupiter-Uranus: Peak Experiences and the Rich Brat
2024 was shaped by the Jupiter-Uranus alignment. Jupiter—the archetype of growth, joy, and excess—colliding with Uranus, the force of freedom, innovation, and unpredictability, creates a sense of peak experiences, quantum leaps, and the exhilarating rush of too much, too fast. Think: a wild night in Vegas—you strike it rich, only to blow it all at the club.
Anora embodies this energy effortlessly–it pulses with that same intoxicating thrill. I found myself laughing, fully immersed in its whirlwind plot—it gave me The Hangover (2009) vibes, which, fittingly, was also released under a Jupiter-Uranus alignment. This archetypal pairing is all about taking the risk, saying yes—and, if luck holds, reveling in the rewards.
But just like devouring too much ice cream, the sugar rush always crashes. When unchecked, Jupiter-Uranus can turn euphoria into excess, luck into recklessness. And that’s exactly how Anora unfolds as its plot deepens.
Left: Scene from The Hangover in Vegas. Right: Scene from Anora in Vegas
Anora, played by Mikey Madison, is a stripper who finds herself swept into a whirlwind romance with Vanya, a young, wealthy Russian played by Mark Eydelshteyn. Vanya is the embodiment of the Jupiter-Uranus archetype—extravagantly rich and endlessly optimistic (Jupiter), yet childish and impulsive (Uranus).
Through him, Anora gets a dazzling glimpse of the high life, but just as quickly, she’s thrust into its darker side—the inevitable crash that follows the rush. As the story unfolds, she comes face to face with the shadow of Vanya’s unchecked Jupiter-Uranus energy, where excess turns to chaos and freedom teeters on the edge of recklessness.
Saturn-Neptune: Grief and the Loss of a Dream
Looking back, I think most of us can agree—The Matrix (1999) should have won Best Picture. It wasn’t just a groundbreaking sci-fi film that introduced "bullet time" to cinema; it was a work of deep psychological and philosophical significance, carrying a timeless message about awakening to reality.
But what makes The Matrix truly remarkable is its effortless ability to capture a shifting zeitgeist. The world was steeped in the potent Uranus-Neptune alignment (1985–2001), a period that blurred the boundaries between technology and spirituality—coinciding perfectly with the birth of the World Wide Web. The film embodied this energy flawlessly, from its mind-bending narrative to the iconic cascade of digital rain.
Yet The Matrix also served as a prophecy, foretelling the psychological shift that was about to unfold—the Saturn-Pluto opposition (2000–2004). This era brought the 9/11 attacks and the War on Terror, a descent from the mystical awe of Uranus-Neptune into the harsh, inescapable reality of Saturn-Pluto. The film’s stark color grading, ominous black trench coats, and relentless agents helped usher in this new psychological atmosphere, preparing the collective for what was to come.
And this is exactly what Anora does so well.
From the exhilarating highs to the inevitable crash of Jupiter-Uranus, Anora culminates in what I believe to be one of the most powerful, emotionally charged endings in recent cinema (I won’t lie—I was in tears). It closes on a distinctly Saturn-Neptune note, a planetary alignment that began in 2024 and will shape the collective zeitgeist through 2027.
Saturn, the archetype of wisdom, hardship, and material reality, blends with Neptune, the archetype of fantasy, dreams, wholeness, and illusion, to signify periods of spiritual grounding, crises of faith, or a dark night of the soul. It’s a mix of the stark and the surreal—dry and unyielding (Saturn) yet soft and compassionate (Neptune).
No character embodies this complex combination better than Igor—the Russian henchman hired by Vanya’s family—brought to life with remarkable depth by Yura Borisov.
Throughout the film, Igor’s presence is both unwavering and unexpectedly tender, conveyed through nothing more than his steady gaze and restrained expressions. So when Anora finally collapses into his arms, releasing the weight of her experiences, her grief is almost unbearable—yet in that moment, Igor’s quiet strength makes it feel safe to break down.
This is the very transition our collective psyche is undergoing: moving from the exhilarating, reckless highs of the Jupiter-Uranus alignment into the quiet, reflective, and perhaps melancholic embrace of Saturn-Neptune.
Let the tears flow—that’s what Saturn-Neptune is here for.
Other Considerations
Many of the other nominees are strong contenders, each reflecting current planetary alignments in compelling ways. I’ve watched all but Emilia Pérez, Nickel Boys, and I’m Still Here, so I can’t speak to those just yet.
I personally loved The Substance and believe French director Coralie Fargeat deserves recognition for Best Director. The film brilliantly captures the tension of the Saturn-Uranus alignment (2021–2023), exploring the clash between old age (Saturn) and youth (Uranus). Had it been released just a year or two earlier, it might have topped my list.
Wicked was also spectacular, embodying the ongoing Uranus-Pluto and Uranus-Neptune alignments—both of which will define this decade. There’s a fascinating diachronic thread connecting this film to these planetary cycles, stretching all the way back to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). I may have to write a deeper piece on this soon.
As for Dune: Part Two, both installments evoke a strong Saturn-Neptune energy, with their vast desert landscapes and themes of mysticism and authority.
But for me, Anora stands out above the rest. Like The Matrix before it, it doesn’t just reflect the moment—it marks the transition between two major planetary alignments, serving as a cinematic guide through a shifting zeitgeist.
That being said, here are my other top contenders for Best Picture:
Conclave: Saturn-Neptune + Uranus-Pluto
Conclave masterfully embodies the Saturn-Neptune theme of organized religion, delving into the tensions and struggles inherent in the spiritual realm. However, its unexpected twist at the end powerfully reflects the ongoing Uranus-Pluto alignment (2021–2032), challenging tradition with a bold, progressive embrace of LGBTQ+ themes and women's empowerment.
A Complete Unknown: Uranus-Pluto
A Complete Unknown is a compelling biographical film about legendary American songwriter Bob Dylan, whose rise to fame coincided with the transformative Uranus-Pluto alignment of the 1960s. Dylan embodies the raw creative power of this planetary combination, channeling its themes of rebellion, authenticity, and cultural upheaval. As a diachronic film, it not only reflects the revolutionary spirit of the past but also resonates with the ongoing Uranus-Pluto world transit, which will continue shaping the collective landscape until 2032.
The Brutalist: Saturn-Neptune
The Brutalist captures the Saturn-Neptune transit (2024-2027) through its stark portrayal of dreams built and dissolved. The film reflects the weight of addiction—whether to substances or ambition—showing how vision can be both a foundation and a trap. It’s about the struggle to materialize ideals in a world that erodes them, yet still finding meaning in the process.