The 97th Academy Awards have arrived, which marks the end of the 2024-2025 awards season. And this year, Sean Baker’s Anora took center stage. The sex worker dramedy won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Lead Actress for Mikey Madison.
Demi Moore, widely expected to win for The Substance, missed out on the Lead Actress award, while Adrien Brody won Lead Actor for The Brutalist. Kieran Culkin secured his predicted Supporting Actor win for A Real Pain, and Zoe Saldaña took home Supporting Actress, overcoming the controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez.
Anora also won for Original Screenplay and Editing, Dune: Part Two was recognised for Sound and Visual Effects, while The Brutalist won for Cinematography and Score. Wicked claimed Production Design and Costume Design, I’m Still Here won International Feature Film, and Emilia Pérez picked up Original Song.
Music and Sound Oscars Winners
Daniel Blumberg’s haunting and textured compositions for The Brutalist secured the Oscar for Best Original Score, which marked a major win for the musician.
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The Best Original Song category, often a mix of industry veterans and surprises, went to “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez. Clément Ducol and Camille crafted a piece that resonated far beyond the film itself.
The Sound category belonged to Dune: Part Two, a film that pushed its sound design to immersive extremes. The sequel’s team carried forward the legacy of the first installment and layered intricate details into the vast sci-fi landscape.
Film Editing, Visual Effects & Production Design Winners
Anora took home the Oscar for Best Film Editing and Dune: Part Two claimed the Visual Effects award.
Wicked brought its world to life with grand setpieces and a meticulously crafted aesthetic, which helped it earn the top prize in the Production Design category.
The Big Winners of the Night
Beyond the technical and music-related awards, Anora was the dominant force, winning Best Picture, Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Film Editing, and Best Director (Sean Baker). The Brutalist also had a strong showing, with Adrien Brody taking home Best Actor alongside its win for Best Original Score. Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) rounded out the acting categories with their wins in the supporting roles.
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