The 2025 Academy Awards, held shortly after the SAG Awards, brought an array of surprises that left many industry insiders and fans alike in awe. Speculation had been rife following the SAG Awards, where victories for Anora, Mikey Madison, and Adrien Brody led to doubts about their Oscar prospects. However, the Oscars proved to be a different story. Sean Baker's critically acclaimed film claimed the best picture award, while Madison emerged as a surprise winner for best actress, overshadowing veteran Demi Moore. Meanwhile, Brody secured the best actor trophy over Timothée Chalamet. The evening also saw unexpected outcomes for other films, with some high-profile contenders underperforming and others exceeding expectations.
Key Moments from the 2025 Oscars
In the heart of Hollywood’s glittering season, the 2025 Oscars unfolded on a memorable Sunday night. The event was marked by several twists that defied pre-ceremony predictions. Despite strong showings at the SAG Awards, Conclave, The Substance, and A Complete Unknown failed to replicate their success. Conclave, which had been tipped for multiple wins, only managed to secure one award for best adapted screenplay. Similarly, The Substance won just one prize for makeup and hairstyling, while A Complete Unknown, despite its eight nominations, left empty-handed. Bob Dylan, the subject of the latter film, wisely chose not to attend the ceremony, given his biopic's lackluster performance.
The night also witnessed the triumph of indie animated film Flow, which beat out studio blockbusters like The Wild Robot and Inside Out 2. Another highlight was Netflix’s musical Emilia Pérez, which faced controversy earlier in the year but still managed to claim two awards: best supporting actress for Zoe Saldaña and best original song for “El Mal.” Other films, such as Sing Sing, Nickel Boys, and The Apprentice, were not as fortunate, failing to secure any wins despite multiple nominations.
Perhaps one of the most surprising outcomes was the shutout for Nosferatu, which had garnered four nominations but ended up leaving the ceremony without a single win. In contrast, The Brutalist and Wicked each took home two awards, though the latter's wins were confined to craft categories. The evening was rounded off with a spectacular performance by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who sang a medley of songs, including the iconic “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.
From a journalist's perspective, this year's Oscars underscored the unpredictable nature of the awards circuit. While precursor wins can sometimes indicate Oscar success, they are far from guarantees. The evening’s surprises remind us that the Academy has its own unique criteria, often diverging from the consensus built during the lead-up to the big night. For audiences and critics alike, it serves as a reminder to savor the unexpected moments that make the Oscars so captivating.