Oscars 2025: Highlights and Winners of the 97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, delivering several surprises and celebrating significant achievements in film. The event, hosted by Conan O’Brien, recognized a diverse range of talent and films, with some unexpected wins and memorable moments.

Best Picture and Key Wins

“Anora” emerged as a dominant force, securing the coveted Best Picture award. Sean Baker, the writer, editor, and director of “Anora,” also won Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. This made Baker the second person ever to win four Oscars in one night, following Walt Disney.

Mikey Madison’s performance in “Anora” earned her the Best Leading Actress award, considered an upset as Demi Moore was favored to win. Adrien Brody won Best Leading Actor for his role in “The Brutalist”. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain,” and Zoe Saldana won Best Supporting Actress for “Emilia Pérez.”

Political and Social Commentary

While the ceremony largely avoided overt political statements, there were notable exceptions. The Israeli and Palestinian filmmaking team behind “No Other Land,” which won Best Documentary, used their platform to criticize US foreign policy concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Presenter Darryl Hannah voiced her support for war-torn Ukraine.

Other Notable Awards and Moments

Lol Crawley won Best Cinematography for “The Brutalist,” Daniel Blumberg won Best Original Score for “The Brutalist,” and Peter Straughan secured Best Adapted Screenplay for “Conclave.”

The ceremony included performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande from “Wicked,” along with a musical tribute to James Bond films. Morgan Freeman paid tribute to the late Gene Hackman.

There was a technical glitch for Hulu viewers, who missed the Best Picture announcement due to a streaming cut-off.

“Anora”‘s Impact and Advocacy for Independent Film

The success of the independent film “Anora” became a major talking point, with its producers encouraging filmmakers to continue creating independent films. Sean Baker emphasized the importance of theatrical releases.

Diversity and Inclusion

The awards show also highlighted diversity, with Paul Tazewell becoming the first Black man to win the Costume Design award for “Wicked.” Many acceptance speeches called for a more inclusive world.

Adrien Brody’s Best Actor Win

Adrien Brody’s win for Best Actor in “The Brutalist” marked a significant moment in his career. He previously won the same award in 2003 for “The Pianist,” becoming the youngest winner at the time. This win places him among the elite actors with a 100% win rate from multiple nominations.

In his acceptance speech, Brody expressed gratitude and reflected on the fragility of acting. He thanked Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold for their contribution to independent film and praised his partner, Georgina Chapman, and her children.

Brody concluded his speech with a call for a healthier, happier, and more inclusive world, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past and fighting against hate.

“The Brutalist” Details

In “The Brutalist,” Brody plays László Tóth, a Hungarian modernist architect who survives World War II and is commissioned to design a community center in the US. The film explores Tóth’s career and relationships.

Brody’s performance in “The Brutalist” was praised as a career best, showcasing his angular fierceness and passion.

Lead-up to the Oscars

Brody won several key awards leading up to the Oscars, including the Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, and Bafta. However, Timothée Chalamet won the Screen Actors Guild prize.

There was a minor controversy regarding the use of AI to smooth the Hungarian accents of Brody and Jones, but Corbet defended the performances as entirely their own.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal presented the Best Picture award and the audience cheered.