Oscars 2025 Highlights: ‘Anora’ Wins Big, Timothée Chalamet Shines, and Conan O’Brien Steals the Show
Oscars 2025 Recap: Anora Triumphs in a Memorable Awards Season Finale
Oscars 2025 Recap: Anora Triumphs in a Memorable Awards Season Finale
The 2025 Academy Awards concluded a dramatic awards season, with Anora emerging as the biggest winner of the night.
The star-studded ceremony, which ran longer than The Brutalist (without an intermission), featured tributes to Los Angeles, James Bond, and Quincy Jones. Hosted for the first time by Conan O’Brien, the event received widespread praise for its humor and focus on filmmaking rather than pure celebrity spectacle.
The Results of a Unpredictable Awards Season
This year’s awards race was filled with unexpected twists. Despite being shut out at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, Anora made a strong comeback, just as the Yahoo Best Picture Leaderboard had predicted.
Sean Baker, the film’s writer, director, editor, and producer, made history by winning four Oscars in a single night—tying Walt Disney’s record and becoming the first filmmaker to achieve this feat for a single film. Mikey Madison, who starred in Anora, surprised audiences by winning Best Actress, bringing the film’s total to five wins.
Despite leading with 13 nominations, Emilia Peréz secured only two Oscars—Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña and Best Original Song for El Mal. The film’s villainous reputation and controversy surrounding star Karla Sofía Gascón likely impacted its performance in key categories. Meanwhile, I’m Still Here won Best International Film.
In the Best Actor race, Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody took vastly different approaches to their campaigns. While Chalamet embraced playfulness and ambition, Brody opted for heartfelt speeches and charismatic photoshoots. Ultimately, Brody took home the award.
Standout Moments from the Night
Some of the night’s most memorable moments came from stars who didn’t win an Oscar. First-time host Conan O’Brien was widely celebrated for his witty commentary, including digs at Gascón’s publicist and even a reference to Drake. Chalamet, despite losing Best Actor, charmed audiences with his good humor and ability to laugh at himself—even when compared to a stick of butter in an Adam Sandler skit.
A surprise hit of the evening was a person dressed as a sandworm from Dune: Part Two, stealing the show during Best Sound and Best Visual Effects wins.
A Celebration of Filmmaking
In response to the devastating wildfires that disrupted much of awards season, the Oscars honored the resilience of the filmmaking community. The show spotlighted craft categories often overlooked and recognized independent films like Anora, The Brutalist, and No Other Land.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande delivered a breathtaking medley, including Defying Gravity from Wicked, setting an emotional tone early in the ceremony. A montage celebrating Los Angeles and Hollywood’s magic featured iconic clips from The Wizard of Oz and other classics.
The ceremony also addressed concerns about the growing dominance of tech companies and streaming services in entertainment. Sean Baker reiterated this point in his acceptance speech, continuing the stance he first voiced after winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Additionally, a lavish James Bond tribute featuring performances by Margaret Qualley, Lisa, and Doja Cat was seen as a subtle nudge to Amazon MGM regarding its stewardship of the franchise.
Morgan Freeman’s heartfelt introduction to the in memoriam segment honored the late Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner who passed away last week. “Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work,’” Freeman shared. “So I think I speak for us all when I say: Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and so much more.”
The 2025 Oscars closed a season of unexpected turns, memorable moments, and a renewed emphasis on the art of filmmaking. With Anora taking center stage, the night was a reminder of the power of independent cinema in shaping Hollywood’s future.
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