The 2024 New York Film Critics Circle Awards have marked the beginning of awards season, shining the spotlight on this year’s standout films and performances. The illustrious group of critics declared Brady Corbet's acclaimed historical drama, The Brutalist, as the Best Film of the year. The film, which intricately explores the life of a Hungarian Jewish architect who immigrates to the U.S. post-World War II, has garnered significant praise for its ambitious storytelling and production values.
Alongside the Best Film award, The Brutalist also secured the Best Actor title for Adrien Brody, whose riveting portrayal of the lead character has reignited discussions about his potential Oscar nominations. Brody, who made history as the youngest Best Actor winner at the Academy Awards for his role in The Pianist, is now vying for the chance to become the youngest two-time winner should he take home the Oscar for The Brutalist next year.
Brody expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting, "It’s truly humbling to receive such accolades, particularly from the NYFCC, known for heralding works of substantial artistic merit." His performance is set against fierce competition, most prominently from Timothée Chalamet (in A Complete Unknown), Ralph Fiennes (in Conclave), and Colman Domingo (in Sing Sing), the latter having recently won at the Gotham Awards.
Another important figure this year is RaMell Ross, whose directorial work on Nickel Boys not only won him the Best Director award from the NYFCC but also the award for Best Cinematography, showcasing Jomo Fray’s innovative visual style. Ross, adapting the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, continues to gain acclaim for bringing such poignant narratives to the screen.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste clinched the Best Actress award for her powerful performance in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths. This poignant portrayal of mental collapse resonates as deeply personal and reflective of broader societal challenges. Leigh’s world premiere of the film at the Toronto International Film Festival helped propel Baptiste's performance to the attention of critics and audiences alike.
Kieran Culkin also garnered accolades, winning the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain. His depiction of a character exploring Jewish heritage amid personal turmoil struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, demonstrating his range as an actor following his success on Succession.
On the flip side, the night’s unexpected highlight came from Carol Kane, who was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her heartfelt role in Between the Temples. Her character serves as a music teacher preparing for her Bat Mitzvah, and Kane has received acclaim for her ability to infuse warmth and humor within challenging narratives.
Here’s how the complete winner’s list looks for the 2024 NYFCC Awards:
- Best Film: The Brutalist (A24)
- Best Director: RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys (Amazon MGM Studios)
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist (A24)
- Best Actress: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths (Bleecker Street)
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain (Searchlight Pictures)
- Best Supporting Actress: Carol Kane, Between the Temples (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Best Screenplay: Sean Baker, Anora (Neon)
- Best Animated Film: Flow (Janus Films/Sideshow)
- Best Cinematography: Jomo Fray, Nickel Boys (Amazon MGM Studios)
- Best First Film: Annie Baker, Janet Planet (A24)
- Best International Film: All We Imagine as Light (Janus Films/Sideshow)
- Best Non-Fiction Film: No Other Land
- Special Award: To Save and Project: The MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation
- Student Prizes: Alexander Swift (Undergraduate, Vassar) and Drew Smith (Graduate, NYU)
This year’s awards ceremony took place at TAO Downtown on January 8, 2025. The NYFCC has been pivotal, having made significant predictions for the Academy Awards throughout its history, with many films nominated for Oscars following their NYFCC acknowledgments.
Since its establishment in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle has carved out its niche, often serving as both the harbinger of awards season and as a counterbalance to the Academy’s selections. The critics’ group tends to favor independent films and unique storytelling perspectives, resulting in recognition of works and performances often overlooked by larger award ceremonies.
This year’s marked improvements and shifts toward recognizing elements of diversity and innovation among films signal changing values within the film industry, setting the stage for what’s next as the excitement builds for the upcoming Oscar nominations. With the announcement of the Golden Globe nominees just around the corner, all eyes will remain fixed on the very intersection of industry accolades and audience appreciation.