The Academy Awards, often referred to as the Oscars, undeniably remain the pinnacle of recognition within the global film industry. This year, the 97th edition, held on March 2, 2025, boasted remarkable moments, historical achievements, and of course, intense competition among this year's nominated films.
Leading the pack was the film Anora, garnering the most nominations of the evening with 6, and sweeping nearly all its categories with 5 wins, establishing itself as one of the dominant films at the Oscars 2025. Notably, Anora won the prestigious awards for Best Film, Best Director for Sean Baker, Best Actress for Mikey Madison, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing, showcasing Baker's exceptional storytelling prowess and directorial acumen.
Sean Baker's accomplishment was particularly historic; he became only the second individual, and the first in 70 years, to win four Academy Awards for one film, following Walt Disney, who set the record back in 1954. Baker's touching dedication during his acceptance speech acknowledged the contributions of the sex worker community, stating, "I want to thank the sex worker community. They've shared their stories, their life experiences with me for years. My deepest respect," underscoring the film's authenticity and inspiration derived from real-world stories.
Another standout of the night was Adrien Brody, who took home the Oscar for Best Actor for his riveting performance in The Brutalist. Brody made headlines not only for his win but also for delivering the longest acceptance speech in Oscars history, clocking in at 5 minutes and 40 seconds. This speech surpassed the previous record set by Greer Garson, which was 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Despite the evening's applause for many outstanding performances, the Academy faced challenges as viewership statistics indicated a 7% decline compared to the previous year, with only 18.1 million people tuning in. This drop follows the event’s resurgence post-pandemic, where it recorded its highest viewership figures since 2021. The historic lows of just 10.4 million viewers back then highlighted the struggles Oscars faced during the peak of COVID-19. Yet, the fluctuated ratings showcase the continuous battle for relevance amid changing media consumption habits.
Alongside Anora, the films Wicked and The Brutalist also had substantial recognition during the awards, each receiving 10 nominations. While The Brutalist secured three Oscars, Wicked followed with two wins, continuing the legacy of significant storytelling through theatrical adaptation on screen.
Other notable wins included Conclave, which, amid 8 nominations, managed to secure at least one award. Conversely, the film A Complete Unknown, which received the same number of nominations, returned without any recognition, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the Oscars. Dune: Part Two and The Substance each garnered five nominations, with Dune: Part Two winning two awards and The Substance capturing one.
Interestingly, the evening recorded historical firsts for films and victories on several fronts. I'm Still Here, produced by Brazil, became the first-ever Brazilian film to win the 'Best International Feature' award. The recognition of new talent and perspectives was even more pronounced with Zoe Saldana winning, marking herself as the first American actress of Dominican descent to receive the coveted Oscar, affirming strides toward representation within the film world.
Paul Tazewell also made history as he took home the award for Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked, becoming the first African American to win this category, signifying advancements within diversity representation behind the scenes of the film industry.
Despite these highlighted achievements, viewership woes lingered, reflecting the Hollywood's struggle to captivate audiences as they once did. This is particularly heartbreaking for such a celebrated event, especially amid aspirations to honor and recognize the incredible talents within the film-making community.
While some films like Nosferatu and A Complete Unknown returned without any awards, the overall competitiveness of the Oscars continues to highlight the best and brightest the industry has to offer. The unforgettable stories told on stage this year reaffirm the passion for cinema, as well as the barriers needing discussion, ensuring the awards maintain their relevance and impact moving forward.