Oscars 2025 Recap: Anora Wins Big with 5 Awards, Including Best Picture and Best Director

Image credits: Monica Schipper/Getty Images

The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, was a night to remember, with Anora taking home 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film, directed by Sean Baker, tells the story of a Brighton Beach exotic dancer chasing her dreams of storybook domestic bliss. Anora's wins were a testament to the Academy's growing appreciation for independent filmmaking and bold storytelling. The ceremony kicked off with a Wizard of Oz-inspired tribute to an L.A. ravaged by fires, featuring a vocal medley by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

O'Brien's hosting skills were on full display as he navigated the evening's proceedings with ease, making jokes about the Catholic thriller Conclave and the rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. The camera focused on Anora star Mikey Madison, who took home the Best Actress award, thanking her cast, family, and twin brother. Director Sean Baker had a historic night, taking home four awards, including Best Director, and making a plea for the future of films released in theaters. The Academy's voting body has undergone significant changes in recent years, with a more diverse and global membership, which has led to a shift in the types of films being recognized, with a focus on independent filmmaking and bold storytelling.

The night saw several notable wins, including Adrien Brody taking home his second Oscar for his portrayal of a Holocaust survivor and architect in The Brutalist. Brody's acceptance speech was impassioned, speaking out against racism, antisemitism, and "othering." The ceremony also saw wins for The Brutalist, Wicked, and Dune: Part Two, with the latter taking home awards for best sound and best visual effects. Emilia Pérez, which had been expected to be a major contender, took home only two awards, including best supporting actress for Zoe Saldaña. The film's star, Karla Sofía Gascón, was largely absent from the ceremony, having faced backlash for her past racist and xenophobic tweets.

The Oscars have long been criticized for their lack of diversity and representation, but in recent years, the Academy has made efforts to address these issues. The voting body has been expanded to include more diverse members, and the types of films being recognized have shifted to include more international and independent productions. This year's ceremony saw a number of first-time winners, including Mikey Madison and Kieran Culkin, who took home the award for best supporting actor for his role in A Real Pain. The ceremony also saw a number of notable moments, including a performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and a tribute to the victims of the L.A. fires.

The night's winners included:

• Anora: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay
• The Brutalist: Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Score
• Wicked: Best Costume Design and Best Production Design
• Dune: Part Two: Best Sound and Best Visual Effects
• Emilia Pérez: Best Supporting Actress and Best Song
• A Real Pain: Best Supporting Actor

The ceremony was not without its controversies, including a notable absence of a consensus pick and a strange lack of recognition for horror films. However, the night was ultimately a celebration of the power of film to bring people together and to tell bold and innovative stories.

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