The 97th Academy Awards delivered a night filled with triumphs, heartfelt speeches, and a touch of Conan O’Brien’s signature humor in his debut as host. As Hollywood’s finest gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the evening showcased a mix of expected victories and shocking upsets, proving once again that the Oscars remain unpredictable.
Biggest Winners and Surprises
The night’s most coveted award, Best Picture, went to Anora, a victory that reinforced its status as a defining film of the year. Director Sean Baker, who also took home Best Director, celebrated the recognition of independent filmmaking, thanking the Academy for honoring a film made “on the blood, sweat, and tears of incredible indie artists.” Baker also used the moment to advocate for movie theaters, reminding audiences that “watching a film in the theater with an audience is an experience you simply don’t get at home.”
In the acting categories, Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his performance in The Brutalist, a film where he portrayed a Holocaust survivor and Hungarian architect who emigrates to the United States. Reflecting on his career, Brody acknowledged the fragility of acting, saying, “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away,” before calling for a more inclusive world.
Mikey Madison earned Best Actress for Anora, and Kieran Culkin took home Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain. Still in disbelief over the win, Culkin admitted backstage, “I’m not fully inside my body right now,” and reflected on how he almost turned down the role due to the filming schedule.
Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican origin to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez. In her acceptance speech, she said, “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I know I will not be the last.” She also paid tribute to her late grandmother, reflecting on how much it would have meant for her to see this moment.
A Historic Night
History was made in several categories. Emilia Pérez, which led with 13 nominations, became the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscars history. Though it did not win Best Picture, it secured the Oscar for Best Original Song for “El Mal.”
Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win Best Costume Design, earning the award for his work on Wicked. Speaking backstage, he called it “the pinnacle of my career,” adding that throughout his 35 years in costume design, he never saw another Black male designer to look up to. “And to realize that that’s actually me… it becomes a Wizard of Oz moment. It’s like, no place like home.”
Morgan Freeman honored Gene Hackman, the two-time Oscar winner known for The French Connection and Unforgiven, who passed away days before the ceremony. “Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’ He’ll be remembered for that and more,” Freeman said.
The ceremony also took a moment to recognize the Los Angeles firefighters who battled the devastating wildfires that forced the Academy to postpone nominations earlier in the year.
Oscars Snubs and Shocks
While Anora emerged as the night’s biggest winner with five awards, the evening had its fair share of surprises. Timothée Chalamet, who had been a major contender for Best Actor for A Complete Unknown, lost to Brody. Dune: Part Two, which was expected to dominate the technical categories, missed out on Best Cinematography, which went to The Brutalist.
Despite winning Best Documentary Feature, No Other Land remains without a U.S. distributor, making it difficult for American audiences to access the film despite its widespread critical acclaim.
On the performance side, the Academy’s decision to move away from live performances of Best Original Song nominees made way for a star-studded musical tribute to James Bond. The number featured performances from Queen Latifah, Doja Cat, Lisa (Blackpink), Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Raye.
Hollywood’s Biggest Night Lives On
As the 97th Academy Awards came to a close, the night reaffirmed the power of film to inspire, provoke, and entertain. Whether through historic wins, heartfelt tributes, or unexpected upsets, the ceremony showcased the best of cinema while offering a glimpse into its evolving future. One can’t help but wonder: which stories will define the next Oscars?
