The 97th Academy Awards were a night to remember, with Sean Baker’s dramedy Anora emerging as the biggest winner. The film, which follows the story of a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, secured five Oscars, including Best Picture. The competition was fierce, with The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez in contention, but Anora ultimately stole the show.
Beyond the awards, the night was marked by tributes to firefighters battling Los Angeles wildfires and a special homage to Hollywood’s legacy, reminding audiences of the magic of cinema.
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Sean Baker Makes History
Anora’s success was a testament to Baker’s artistic vision. The director, producer, editor, and writer made history by winning four Oscars for a single film, a rare achievement in Academy Awards history. Known for indie gems like Tangerine and The Florida Project, Baker’s rise to the top signals a shift in the industry toward independent filmmaking.
Despite Anora’s relatively modest $40 million box office performance, its critical acclaim highlights how independent films continue to dominate awards season. Meanwhile, big-budget blockbusters like Dune: Part Two and Wicked found recognition only in technical categories.
Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison Claim Top Acting Honors
In the acting categories, Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his performance in The Brutalist, portraying a troubled architect in a career-defining role. The victory was a redemption moment for Brody, who acknowledged the ups and downs of his career while accepting his award.
“Acting is a very fragile profession,” Brody reflected. “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away.”
Meanwhile, Mikey Madison clinched Best Actress for her powerful portrayal in Anora, delivering an upset win over Demi Moore (The Substance). Madison’s heartfelt speech resonated with many as she voiced support for the sex worker community, saying, “I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today is really incredible.”
Supporting Acting Winners Make History
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, a touching film about two cousins reconnecting in Poland. The actor, known for his sharp wit, brought humor to his speech, reminding his wife of a promise made after his Emmy win:
“Let’s get cracking on those kids,” Culkin joked. “What do you say?”
Zoe Saldaña took home Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, a gripping drama about a cartel leader’s gender transition. Overcome with emotion, she said, “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.”
International and Animated Films Get Their Due
The Best International Feature award went to I’m Still Here, a Brazilian drama set during the country’s military dictatorship, marking Brazil’s first-ever win in the category. Meanwhile, Latvia secured its first Oscar as Flow, a fantasy adventure about a cat surviving a flood, won Best Animated Feature, beating heavyweights like Inside Out 2.
In the documentary category, No Other Land took home the Oscar, despite struggles in securing distribution. Co-director Basel Adra used his acceptance speech to call for justice, stating, “We call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.”
Conan O’Brien’s Debut as Host
Hosting the Oscars for the first time, Conan O’Brien brought his signature wit to the stage, delivering an entertaining monologue filled with sharp humor and industry jabs. He poked fun at early start times (“everyone here just had brunch”) and Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofia Gascón’s social media controversy, quipping, “Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, my name is Jimmy Kimmel.”
The show also featured a lighthearted musical tribute to the Academy Awards’ notorious runtime and a surprise appearance by Adam Sandler, sporting his signature hoodie.
Hollywood’s Changing Landscape
One of the night’s biggest moments was a tribute to the James Bond franchise, following Amazon MGM’s recent takeover. Halle Berry, introducing a performance of classic 007 theme songs, reminded audiences, “Every generation does have their Bond, you know — the world revolves, it evolves, and so does he.”
But beyond the glitz, Sean Baker used his speech to address a pressing issue: the decline of independent movie theaters.
“Movie theaters, especially independently-owned theaters, are struggling,” Baker warned. “If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture. This is my battle cry. Filmmakers, keep making films for the big screen. I know I will.”
Major Categories
- Best Picture – Anora
- Best Director – Sean Baker (Anora)
- Best Actor – Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Actress – Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Best Supporting Actor – Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Best Supporting Actress – Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
Screenplay & Editing
- Best Original Screenplay – Sean Baker & Chris Bergoch (Anora)
- Best Adapted Screenplay – Josh Singer (Maestro)
- Best Film Editing – Sean Baker (Anora)
Technical & Cinematic Achievements
- Best Cinematography – Hoyte van Hoytema (Oppenheimer)
- Best Production Design – Adam Stockhausen (Poor Things)
- Best Costume Design – Jacqueline Durran (Barbie)
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling – The Iron Claw
- Best Visual Effects – Godzilla Minus One
- Best Sound – The Zone of Interest
Music & Animation
- Best Original Score – Daniel Pemberton (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
- Best Original Song – “I’m Just Ken” (Barbie)
- Best Animated Feature – Flow
- Best Animated Short Film – War Is Over!
International & Documentary
- Best International Feature Film – I’m Still Here (Brazil)
- Best Documentary Feature – No Other Land
- Best Documentary Short – The ABCs of Book Banning
- Best Live-Action Short Film – Red, White, and Blue
FAQs
Who won Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards?
Anora won the prestigious Best Picture award at the Oscars 2025.
Which film received the Best Director award?
Sean Baker won Best Director for his exceptional work on Anora.
Who were the Best Actor and Best Actress winners?
Adrien Brody won Best Actor for The Brutalist, while Mikey Madison won Best Actress for Anora.
Which movie won Best Visual Effects at the 2025 Oscars?
The Japanese monster film Godzilla Minus One took home the Best Visual Effects award.
What was the Best Animated Feature of the year?
Flow won Best Animated Feature, continuing the tradition of animated storytelling excellence.
