Oscars review: Historic wins and heartbreaking snubs mark the 97th Academy Awards
The night, full of electric and surreal moments, was a win for all storytellers
Sean Baker, who directed, wrote, edited, and produced Anora, made history as the first filmmaker to win four Oscars in a single night for the same film. (Suneet Gill)
Sean Baker’s Anora didn’t just win the 97th Academy Awards — it defined them. Sweeping five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, Baker shattered records, becoming the first filmmaker to win four awards in a single night for the same film.
For an artist who built his career on indie grit and unfiltered realism, the victory felt like a triumph for all storytellers who operate outside Hollywood’s studio system. His speech was a call to arms for independent filmmakers — keep pushing, keep telling your stories, and keep making them count.
Mikey Madison’s win for Best Actress was the crowning jewel in Anora’s reign. It’s not every day that an actor’s first leading role lands them an Oscar, but Madison’s portrayal of a Brooklyn sex worker entangled in a whirlwind marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son was nothing short of mesmerizing.
The industry had pegged Demi Moore’s transformative performance in The Substance as the likely winner, making Madison’s triumph all the more electric. As she clutched her trophy, clearly stunned, she let out a shaky laugh and said, “This is a dream come true — I’m probably going to wake up tomorrow,” capturing the disbelief that so often accompanies surreal Hollywood moments.
Adrien Brody, returning to the Oscar stage for the first time since The Pianist in 2003, claimed Best Actor for The Brutalist. His role as a visionary architect navigating the ruins of post-war Europe was haunting, but his speech was a rather boring one that has since broken the record for the longest speech in Oscar history. The Brutalist also picked up Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score, proving its impact beyond Brody’s commanding presence.
The Supporting Actor and Actress categories played out as expected, with Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) continuing their awards-season streak. Meanwhile, Conclave gave Peter Straughan his first Oscar for Adapted Screenplay, a moment of redemption after the film’s ineligibility at the Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards.
Then came the curveballs. The Animated Feature category saw Flow snatch victory from The Wild Robot, despite the latter’s dominance at the Annie Awards. The moment marked Latvia’s first-ever Oscar. Brazil had its own historic moment when Walter Salles’s I’m Still Here won Best International Feature Film, with Fernanda Torres delivering a performance that had audiences around the world in awe.
The Best Documentary Feature Film award went to No Other Land, a collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers. Its deeply human perspective had already won over festival circuits, but the Oscar win reinforced its vital message on the global stage.
On the musical front, “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez took home Best Original Song, once again dashing Diane Warren’s Oscar hopes — her 16th nomination still unclaimed.
In the craft categories, Wicked emerged victorious in Best Production and Best Costume Design, with Paul Tazewell making history as the first Black winner in the latter category. Dune: Part Two dominated the technical sphere with wins for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, while The Substance earned an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, a nod to its visceral transformation sequences.
Conan O’Brien helmed the night’s hosting duties with his signature irreverence, keeping things light without straying into controversy.
The “In Memoriam” segment hit hard, honouring icons like Gene Hackman, David Lynch, and Maggie Smith. Morgan Freeman’s tribute to Hackman was especially moving, while Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg introduced a rousing performance of “Ease on Down the Road” by Queen Latifah in honour of Quincy Jones.
Despite Emilia Pérez leading the pack with 13 nominations, Anora emerged as the biggest winner. Films like A Complete Unknown and Nickel Boys left empty handed, a reminder that the Oscars remain unpredictable to the very end. But perhaps that’s what keeps us coming back.
Whether it’s historic victories, heartbreaking snubs, or the dreamlike moment of an actor realizing their life just changed forever, the Academy Awards continue to be Hollywood’s grandest, messiest, and most unforgettable night.
