The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, marked a night of surprises and memorable performances. Hosted for the first time by Conan O'Brien, the event celebrated exceptional cinematic achievements from the past year, and the winners reflected the industry’s dynamic evolution.
One of the evening's standout moments came when the film Anora swept several major categories, taking home the prestigious awards for Best Picture, Best Director (Sean Baker), and Best Actress (Mikey Madison). The film emerged as the unexpected favorite after facing stiff competition from titles like The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, and Wicked—all contenders for the coveted top honors.
Even though superhero films often struggle to gain traction at the Oscars, the absence of nominations for major entries like Deadpool and Wolverine was noted. The 2024 film year had not been kind to the genre, leading to speculation about the Academy's shifting preferences. Still, it was the critically acclaimed Emilia Pérez, which led with 13 nominations, followed closely by The Brutalist and Wicked, each securing 10 nominations.
Among the notable winners was Zoe Saldaña, who captured her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his work in A Real Pain, showcasing the diversity of performances recognized this year.
Other important wins included Best Original Screenplay awarded to Sean Baker for Anora, and Best Adapted Screenplay which went to Peter Straughan for Conclave. The Best Animated Feature award was grabbed by Flow, with Latvia celebrating its first-ever Oscar win for the country.
The ceremony was filled with high-energy performances, including opening numbers by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who set the tone for the night. The event featured numerous Hollywood luminaries, such as Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr., among the presenters, who contributed to the celebratory atmosphere.
Despite the glow of triumph, the backdrop of the evening included challenges such as the community's recovery from recent wildfires and the impact of the 2023 writers' strike still reverberated within Hollywood. Nevertheless, the Academy managed to orchestrate the ceremony as a grand celebration of film.
Sean Baker's Anora not only captured hearts but also made waves with its exceptional filmmaking, as Baker noted about it winning multiple times: "To be recognized by the Academy for our work is incredibly humbling and exciting."
The Oscars 2025 showcased diverse representation across categories and highlighted achievements, setting records with Paul Tazewell becoming the first Black man to win the costume design award. The intersectionality of talent and storytelling was evident as winners and nominees alike carried their cultural identities proudly on stage.
With discussions revolving around future Oscar contenders already brewing, the influence of the Academy Awards on cinematic direction is clear. The success of films like Anora and Emilia Pérez hints at shifting narratives and the power of diverse storytelling within the industry.
While fans eagerly await the announcements for the next year, the echo of exciting performances and heartfelt speeches from the Oscars 2025 will undoubtedly leave its mark for years to come, celebrating not just narratives but the power they hold to transform lives.