The 97th Academy Awards took place on 2 March 2025, at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. The film Anora emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, securing five Oscars — including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. The night was filled with memorable moments, but also sparked lively debates and controversies over the winners. From Adrien Brody’s long-overdue win to Zoe Saldana’s triumph amid film controversies alongside Kieran Culkin and Mikey Madison securing their first-ever Academy Awards, the 2025 Oscars proved to be a night of surprises and discussions about the evolving nature of cinema. Here is the list of winners and the conversation (or controversies) surrounding their win.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

The Winner: Adrien Brody

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Heading into the Oscars, there was already debate over whether Timothée Chalamet would take home the award for his portrayal of a young Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. In recent years, the Academy has shown a strong affinity for historical biopics of pop-culture icons — think Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in Elvis. This trend has raised questions about whether young, serious actors need to embody yet another legendary figure to earn recognition. Yet despite Chalamet’s SAG Awards win, Brody had already swept the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs and the Critics Choice Awards for his haunting portrayal of a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor in The Brutalist. His Oscars victory further cements what many critics had predicted — that this was a long-overdue moment for the actor, whose last significant run on the awards circuit was more than two decades ago.

One potential obstacle in Brody’s campaign was The Brutalist’s controversial use of AI to refine the cast’s Hungarian accents. While some critics raised ethical concerns, outlets like The Hollywood Reporter dismissed it as a non-issue, likening it to standard sound-mixing techniques used in post-production. On a more personal note, Brody’s acceptance speech also became a talking point. Reports surfaced of his casual demeanor — including spitting out his chewing gum just before taking the stage — while others speculated about the Academy’s shifting sentiments toward him in the post-#MeToo era, given his past relationship with Harvey Weinstein’s ex-wife. Regardless of the chatter, Brody’s win serves as a reminder of his undeniable talent, marking a triumphant return to Hollywood’s center stage.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

The Winner: Kieran Culkin 

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Heading into the Oscars, Kieran Culkin was the undeniable frontrunner for Best Supporting Actor. With wins at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, BAFTAs and Critics Choice Awards, there was little doubt that the Academy would follow suit. Unlike other major categories that saw heated debates, Culkin’s victory felt like a foregone conclusion. His performance as the offbeat, sharp-witted Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain — Jesse Eisenberg’s Sundance darling — was widely praised as a scene-stealing triumph. Critics lauded his ability to balance the film’s introspective themes of grief and family with effortless comedic timing, making him a standout in the awards conversation from the start.

A Real Pain itself made a significant impact at Sundance, with IndieWire reporting that it dominated journalist surveys across multiple categories — a feat rarely seen in recent festival history. However, despite its critical acclaim, the film only secured two Oscar nominations: Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Many believed it was unfairly overlooked for Best Picture. This win marks Culkin’s first Oscar nomination and victory, but his talent has long been recognised on the television front, particularly with his Emmy-winning performance in Succession. Once primarily known as Macaulay Culkin’s younger brother, Kieran has now firmly established himself as a leading force in the dramedy genre, with this award serving as a defining moment in his career. His Oscars triumph also plays into a classic awards-season narrative — an overdue recognition of raw talent in a deeply human, emotionally resonant film. While A Real Pain may not have received the widespread nominations some expected, Culkin’s win ensures the film’s legacy within this year’s awards cycle.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

The Winner: Mikey Madison

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This year’s Best Actress race was one of the most unpredictable, with momentum shifting repeatedly between Hollywood veteran Demi Moore (The Substance) and rising star Mikey Madison (Anora). At the start of awards season, Madison appeared to have the edge, riding high on Anora’s Palme d’Or win at Cannes. But as the campaign heated up, Moore’s victories at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards reshaped the narrative, positioning her as the frontrunner heading into the Oscars. Moore’s performance as Elisabeth Sparkle — a fading celebrity desperate to maintain her youth — resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike. The Substance, — beyond its grotesque body horror — served as a searing critique of Hollywood’s treatment of older actresses. A win for Moore would have been poetic: not only had she delivered one of the most daring performances of her career, but she was also enjoying a long-overdue comeback. Given the film’s strong box office performance and awards circuit dominance, her victory seemed increasingly inevitable.

That’s why Madison’s ultimate win came as both a shock and a statement. As the lead in Anora, she carried the film with remarkable depth and nuance, proving she was more than just an indie darling — she was a star in the making. Her BAFTA win over Moore was an early sign that the race was not locked and some speculated that Anora’s Best Picture momentum could further boost her chances. Still, many in the industry expected the Academy to side with the veteran over the ingénue. Madison’s triumph defied those expectations, cementing her as one of Hollywood’s most exciting new talents.

Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) was also considered a dark horse in the race. The film’s political-historical subject matter fit the Oscars’ traditional “prestige drama” mould — especially compared to Moore’s gory body horror — but her chances were undercut by Moore’s awards season sweep. More significantly, Torres faced controversy when an old comedy sketch featuring her in blackface resurfaced. While she issued a public apology, the scandal cast a shadow over her campaign, particularly in a year when the Academy was already grappling with backlash over Karla Sofía Gascón’s resurfaced racist tweets. In the end, Madison’s win signals a shift in the Academy’s preferences. While Moore’s transformative performance and industry narrative made her a compelling choice, the Oscars ultimately favoured fresh talent over a legacy comeback.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

The Winner: Zoe Saldana

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Zoe Saldana’s win for Emilia Perez was solidified after a powerful speech at the Golden Globes, setting the stage for a promising Oscars campaign. However, the road to the Oscars was far from smooth, with Emilia Perez‘s season marred by scandal and controversy. The film’s central focus on trans issues became even more complicated when co-star Karla Sofia Gascon’s resurfaced controversial tweets cast a shadow over the campaign.

Despite the film’s focus on trans issues, a notable point of contention was how none of the Emilia Perez winners, including Saldana, addressed the significance of the film’s subject matter in their speeches — unlike the cast of Anora, who made a point to highlight sex workers’ rights. This stark contrast added fuel to the fire of growing backlash against Emilia Perez. Many critics have labelled the film as “overrated” and felt it was not authentically representative of trans or Mexican people. Directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, some fans even considered this an inherent misstep, arguing that the film’s outsider perspective did not do justice to the issues it aimed to address. Adding to the film’s controversy were interviews in which Audiard admitted to not fully researching Mexican culture, while Gascon struggled with mastering the Mexican accent, a detail many felt was crucial to her portrayal.

The film’s setting was also questioned, as it was not shot in Mexico, further alienating critics. Meanwhile, the film’s musical numbers were widely mocked online, compounding the negative reception. Through it all, Saldana managed to maintain a strong presence in the race, distancing herself from Gascon’s controversy. This strategy helped propel her through the awards circuit, as she triumphed at Critics Choice, BAFTA and the SAG Awards — leaving little doubt that she would secure an Oscar win. However, her victory did not come without scrutiny. Saldana’s role in Emilia Perez was often debated due to the actress’s screen time, which some felt placed her more as a co-lead than a true supporting player. This raised the question of category fraud, a point that was first brought up during the Golden Globes. While Saldana and Gascon were both prominent figures in the film, many argued that their roles shared equal weight in the narrative, blurring the line between lead and supporting.

This debate is not unique to Saldana’s case. Other films this season — such as Wicked and A Real Pain —also featured co-leads who were submitted in supporting categories. The Oscars’ practice of submitting actors in categories with more competition can be a strategic move to increase chances of winning. In Saldana’s case, it seems like a tactical decision by the Emilia Perez team to push for at least one major win after the controversy surrounding Gascon and the film. While Saldana faced some criticism for taking a role that may have better suited a true supporting player, much of this critique is tied to the way the Oscars’ voting system operates. Films often submit actors in categories where they believe they have the best chance, sometimes leading to split votes and less-than-ideal outcomes. This is evident in the 1992 Oscars, when both Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon were nominated for Thelma & Louise, but neither took home the award. Despite the controversy and critiques, Saldana’s victory was solidified by her strong showing in the awards circuit, making her the clear front-runner for Best Supporting Actress.

Best Picture 

The Winner: Anora 

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Anora emerged victorious despite fierce competition from The Brutalist and Conclave. All three films had garnered critical acclaim ahead of the awards season, with standout performances from Mikey Madison, Adrien Brody and Ralph Fiennes making the race particularly close. Prior to the awards season, all three films had been critically lauded, but Anora gained notable traction due to its director’s vision and the impressive performance of Mikey Madison, whose win at the BAFTAs solidified her as a key contender. With nominations in all five major industry groups — the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, Writers Guild of America, and the BAFTAs — Anora seemed poised for success. Its strong showing in these categories made it a serious contender for Best Picture, backed by the palpable momentum surrounding its critical reception and Madison’s award wins.

As for The Brutalist, its position was largely driven by Adrien Brody’s performance and the direction of Brady Corbet. Both Anora and The Brutalist garnered nominations in the Best Director category, which tends to bolster their standing in the Best Picture race. In contrast, Conclave —though a formidable contender — lacked a Best Director nomination, which arguably hindered its standing in this key category. However, Conclave had its own strengths — particularly in its ensemble cast — which was awarded Best Ensemble at both the SAG Awards and Critics’ Choice, raising its profile significantly despite missing out on the Best Director category.

As described by APNews, Anora securing the Best Picture Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards marks a significant shift towards independent and arthouse cinema. The film’s success reflects the Academy’s evolving tastes, with younger members favouring bold narratives. Anora is noted as the most sexually explicit film to win Best Picture, highlighting changing industry norms. By shining a spotlight on the role of sex workers without necessarily glamorising it (though some may disagree with this sentiment), Anora was successful in tapping into the cultural zeitgeist — exploring sexual relationships in a way that viewers saw as groundbreaking. The film dives into issues of consent, power dynamics and the nuances of intimate relationships, often focusing on young characters navigating their sexual identities. This raw portrayal of sexuality — often absent or heavily censored in mainstream cinema — caught the attention of younger viewers who felt it reflected their own struggles with sexuality, identity and autonomy.

Best Director

The Winner: Sean Baker 

The Conversation: 

Sean Baker’s exceptional direction of Anora earned him the Academy Award for Best Director in 2025, capping off a remarkable awards season. His achievements included securing both the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Producers Guild of America (PGA) awards for Best Director and Best Producer, respectively, underscoring his industry-wide acclaim. Baker’s adept storytelling and nuanced portrayal of complex characters resonated with both critics and audiences, solidifying his status as a leading filmmaker.

Historically, the alignment of Best Director and Best Picture awards has been a strong indicator of a film’s overall impact and excellence. Baker’s dual victories not only affirmed his directorial prowess but also bolstered Anora‘s standing as a cinematic masterpiece. This synergy between director and film has been a hallmark of many acclaimed productions, reinforcing the interconnectedness of storytelling and direction in achieving artistic recognition. Baker’s win also marked a significant milestone in Oscar history. He became the first individual to receive four Academy Awards for a single film, tying the record for the most Oscars won in one night, previously held by Walt Disney. This achievement highlighted Baker’s exceptional talent and the film’s profound impact on the industry.

Best Original Screenplay

The Winner: Anora 

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Anora took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, confirming its dominance throughout awards season. The film had already secured a significant win at the Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards, which pointed to its strong chance in this category. Anora’s win solidified its status as the frontrunner, especially given its impressive track record in other key awards. The screenplay, praised for its bold and inventive approach, was seen as one of the most impactful of the year, and its success at the WGA set the stage for the Oscar win. Historically, Best Original Screenplay often aligns with Best Picture and Best Director, and since Anora had swept those major categories, the screenplay award was seen as a natural progression. The only notable exception to this momentum came at the BAFTAs, where Anora was passed over. However, the BAFTAs have rarely aligned with the Oscars in this category, making their choice less predictive.

Some speculated that Eisenberg’s high profile might give A Real Pain an edge in the race, but Anora’s momentum ultimately proved insurmountable. With Kieran Culkin already established as a shoo-in for Best Supporting Actor, A Real Pain lacked the broader awards circuit success needed to make a strong case in the screenplay category. Despite its strong writing, it could not compete with Anora’s sweeping victories across the board.

Best Foreign Film

The Winner: I’m Still Here 

The Conversation: 

This year’s race for Best Foreign Film took an unexpected turn, with I’m Still Here emerging as the front-runner after a turbulent awards season. While Emilia Perez was initially considered the favourite for the Oscar, its recent controversies regarding the film’s portrayal of Mexican culture and the backlash surrounding director Jacques Audiard’s approach to the material left the Academy searching for a safer choice. Enter I’m Still Here, which has steadily risen to the top, buoyed by the real-life comeback story of Fernanda Torres, whose heartfelt performance in the film captivated audiences and critics alike.

For Brazil, I’m Still Here represents a milestone, as a win would mark the first-ever Oscar for the country in this category. Brazil has firmly rallied behind the film, which not only gained widespread support for its artistic merit but also became a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. However, it was Emilia Perez’s fall from grace that undoubtedly opened the door for I’m Still Here to seize the title, making the film’s victory a bittersweet one, given its own critical acclaim. Torres’ performance garnered her a fair share of nominations and wins throughout the awards season, underscoring her talent and the film’s broad appeal.

Despite the hurdles, I’m Still Here has remained strong throughout the awards circuit, securing nominations at the Critics Choice Awards and the BAFTAs. While it did not clinch the wins at these shows, the nominations themselves were a positive indicator of its potential come Oscar time. It’s noteworthy that I’m Still Here, alongside Emilia Perez, is now part of a broader conversation in which foreign-language films are increasingly competing not only for Best Foreign Film but also for Best Picture, a shift that has been more evident in recent years. Films like Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite and the two foreign-language Best Picture nominees in 2023 — Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest — have paved the way for greater recognition of international cinema in mainstream categories. I’m Still Here and Emilia Perez‘s critical reception is a testament to the growing internationalisation of the Oscars.

Best Documentary

The Winner: No Other Land

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The documentary No Other Land by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor in their directorial debut is not only a significant win for the 2024 Best Documentary category, but it also stands as a groundbreaking exploration of the ongoing issues surrounding apartheid and displacement against the Palestinian people. Directed with a bold vision and an empathetic lens, the documentary has become a powerful testament to the resilience of the Palestinians, tackling sensitive and divisive themes while offering hope for solidarity in the most unlikely places. The documentary delves into the lives of both Israeli and Palestinian individuals who, despite the political and historical barriers between them, come together to create a shared narrative of unity. The film’s central focus is on how these two communities, often framed as enemies, work towards mutual understanding, challenging the boundaries set by decades of conflict. No Other Land offers an unprecedented look at the human side of a long-standing geopolitical struggle.

Given the current state of apartheid and the escalating tension in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, No Other Land comes at a time when the need for a more compassionate dialogue is greater than ever. It provides a rare moment of hope for audiences, suggesting that change — though difficult and slow — is possible when human connections are prioritised over political differences. The film’s ability to balance its portrayal of harsh realities with a hopeful vision for the future is one of the many reasons it has been widely celebrated. It is not just a documentary but a call to action, encouraging both Israelis and Palestinians to find common ground despite the hardships they face. No Other Land’s win is an acknowledgment of the power of storytelling to break down walls and to shift public perception. Its triumph at the Oscars marks a pivotal moment in both the world of documentary filmmaking and the ongoing conversation about peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.

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