The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, was a glamorous event with stars galore, doling out sparkle and shine and some surprises along the way. Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony for the first time, which featured Hollywood icons such as Robert Downey Jr. and Emma Stone as presenters, making the event feel more majestic.
Oscars 2025: Key Winners at a Glance
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker | Anora |
| Best Director | Sean Baker | Anora |
| Best Actor | Adrien Brody | The Brutalist |
| Best Actress | Cynthia Erivo | Wicked |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sebastian Stan | The Apprentice |
| Best Supporting Actress | Monica Barbaro | A Complete Unknown |
| Best Animated Feature Film | Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman | Flow |
| Best International Feature Film | Brazil | I’m Still Here |
| Best Original Song | El Mal | Emilia Pérez |
| Best Original Score | Daniel Blumberg | The Brutalist |
| Best Visual Effects | Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, Gerd Nefzer | Dune: Part Two |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Jacques Audiard | Emilia Pérez |
| Best Documentary Feature | Shiori Ito, Eric Nyari, Hanna Aqvilin | Black Box Diaries |
Big Wins and Notable Absences
The night’s biggest winner was “Anora”, which claimed the coveted Best Picture award. The film also saw Sean Baker winning Best Director, solidifying its dominance. Adrien Brody clinched the Best Actor award for his compelling role in “The Brutalist”, while Cynthia Erivo took home Best Actress for her performance in “Wicked”.
In the supporting categories, Sebastian Stan (for “The Apprentice”) and Monica Barbaro (for “A Complete Unknown”) emerged victorious. However, Ralph Fiennes’ absence from the winners’ list stirred controversy, with reports suggesting that misconceptions about his past wins influenced the jury’s decision.
Animation and International Categories Shine
“Flow” won the Best Animated Feature Film award, outshining strong contenders like “Inside Out 2” and “The Wild Robot”. The Best International Feature Film category saw Brazil’s “I’m Still Here” capturing the award, celebrating the diversity of storytelling across the globe.
Music and Technical Brilliance
The musical category was highlighted by “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez”, which won Best Original Song, while “The Brutalist” secured Best Original Score by Daniel Blumberg. The night also celebrated technical excellence with “Dune: Part Two” winning Best Visual Effects, continuing its legacy of stunning visuals and sound design.
Diversity and Backlash
While the Oscars attempted diversity in presenting their nominees, a viral photo of the nominees generated anger on social media over its perceived absence of representation. The efforts of the Academy towards inclusivity were noted, but the backlash highlighted the continued calls for more significant change.
Memorable Moments
One of the standouts was the moving Best Adapted Screenplay acceptance speech by Jacques Audiard for “Emilia Pérez”. The touching documentary “Black Box Diaries” took home Best Documentary Feature, revealing untold stories with stunning sensitivity.
A Night To Remember
The 97th Academy Awards was one for the books, a mixture of victories, controversy, and cries for reform. As curtains close, Hollywood stands at the crossroads, attempting to meet the middle in tradition and the increasing call for authenticity and diversity in narratives.
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