Jobaaj Stories
Oscar Winners 2025: A Night of Surprises
The 97th Academy Awards delivered a thrilling night of upsets and expected wins, concluding a turbulent awards season marked by wildfires and controversy. While Emilia Pérez led with 13 nominations, Anora emerged as the ultimate victor, taking home the coveted Best Picture award along with Best Director (Sean Baker) and Best Actress (Mikey Madison).
Key Wins and Notable Moments
Sean Baker's Anora dominated, securing five awards in total. This dark fairytale, about a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, resonated deeply with Academy voters. Adrien Brody earned his second Best Actor Oscar for his powerful performance in The Brutalist. Meanwhile, supporting actor accolades went to Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldana (Emilia Pérez), the latter making history as the first American of Dominican origin to win an Academy Award. Saldana's win, however, wasn't without controversy, with some questioning her placement in the supporting category given her screen time.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the firefighters who battled devastating Los Angeles wildfires and featured performances by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, continuing the Oscars' tradition of memorable musical moments.
Other Significant Wins
Conclave, a papal thriller, secured Best Adapted Screenplay, showcasing the strength of its script. Wicked, despite its high nomination count, walked away with awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Dune: Part Two also showed its technical prowess winning Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. The Best International Feature Film award went to Brazil's I'm Still Here.
A Night of Close Races
Many categories were fiercely contested. The Best Actor race saw a tight battle between Brody and Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), while the Best Actress competition featured a compelling showdown between Madison and Demi Moore (The Substance). Even the Best Picture race saw a compelling battle between Anora and Conclave, leaving the results uncertain until the very end.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Oscars showcased the diversity and talent within the film industry. The surprising wins and close races demonstrate the unpredictable nature of the awards, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating next year's ceremony.
