The 97th Academy Awards, staged against the lingering backdrop of Los Angeles’ wildfire recovery, delivered a ceremony steeped in triumph, nostalgia, and unscripted humanity. Hosted by the irreverent Conan O’Brien, the evening saw Sean Baker’s indie darling Anora dominate with five wins, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison, while Adrien Brody clinched his second Oscar, 22 years after The Pianist. Yet beyond the gold statuettes, the night became a testament to art’s power to unite amidst crisis, punctuated by standing ovations for frontline workers and a poignant tribute to the city’s indomitable spirit.
Indie Triumph: Anora’s Unlikely Domination Sean Baker’s scrappy dramedy Anora, following a Brooklyn stripper’s ill-fated marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son, defied expectations by securing Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress. Baker, known for his hyperreal portraits of marginalised communities, dedicated his win to “the sex workers, immigrants, and dreamers who let us tell their stories.” Mikey Madison’s raw portrayal of Ani, a role requiring her to oscillate between vulnerability and grit, edged out Demi Moore’s body-horror turn in The Substance. “This isn’t just my award,” Madison declared, “it’s for every woman told her voice doesn’t matter.”
The film’s Russian ensemble – Yura Borisov, Mark Eidelstein, and Darya Ekamasova – garnered acclaim, with Borisov receiving a viral shoutout from Robert Downey Jr.: “You’re where you belong: among giants.”
Brody’s Redemption Arc Completed Adrien Brody, once the youngest Best Actor winner for The Pianist, reclaimed his mantle with The Brutalist. His portrayal of a Holocaust survivor-turned-architect grappling with postwar America’s moral decay earned a career-defining standing ovation. The win, however, sparked controversy: leaked ballots revealed members confused Brody with Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), believing Fiennes already had an Oscar. Brody’s acceptance speech – tossing chewing gum to partner Georgina Chapman mid-stride – became an instant meme, blending nonchalance with raw gratitude.
Saldaña and Culkin: Supporting Royalty Zoe Saldaña, long overlooked despite blockbuster credentials (Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy), triumphed as Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez. Playing a narco queenpin undergoing gender transition, she dedicated her award to immigrant parents: “This is for abuela, who taught me pride has no language.”
Kieran Culkin, transitioning from Succession’s Roman Roy to A Real Pain’s grieving brother, clinched Best Supporting Actor. His quip about bargaining with wife Jazz Charton for more children – “She didn’t think I’d win!” – delivered the night’s levity.
Global Voices Shine Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language musical exploring cartel politics, won Best Original Song (“El Mal”) and further cemented Netflix’s sway over prestige cinema. Latvia’s Flow, a dystopian animal odyssey, upset Inside Out 2 for Best Animated Feature, while Brazil’s I’m Still Here took Best International Film. “These wins prove stories transcend borders,” said director Walter Salles, echoing 2025’s theme of unity.
Technical Mastery and Snubs Dune: Part Two swept visual effects and sound design, its sandworm sequences hailed as “a new VFX benchmark.” Wicked’s Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win Best Costume Design, though the musical’s lone wins (Production Design being the other) underscored its divisive reception.
Notable snubs included The Substance’s Demi Moore and Nickel Boys’ Colman Domingo, whose prison drama Sing Sing left empty-handed despite critical raves.
O’Brien’s Balancing Act Conan O’Brien, hosting his first Oscars, navigated tragedy and farce with trademark wit. A Wicked-inspired opener – featuring Cynthia Erivo belting “Defying Gravity” alongside Ariana Grande’s Glinda – gave way to jabs at Adam Sandler’s hoodie (“The only casual fit in a sea of tuxes”) and a Deadpool dance cameo. Yet his most resonant moment came during the In Memoriam segment, honouring late icons like Gene Hackman against a backdrop of wildfire footage. First responders received the night’s longest ovation, their presence underscoring the ceremony’s $5 million wildfire relief fundraiser.
Fashion’s Quiet Revolution Red-carpet trends leaned toward subdued elegance, a nod to LA’s sombre mood. Mikey Madison’s champagne-coloured Valentino gown, Zoe Saldaña’s emerald Iris van Herpen sculptural piece, and Timothée Chalamet’s deconstructed Saint Laurent tuxedo dominated headlines. Yet the standout was Lily-Rose Depp’s vintage Jean Paul Gaultier – a hand-me-down from mother Vanessa Paradis’ 1991 Oscars look – symbolising Hollywood’s cyclical rebirth.
The Aftermath: What’s Next? As Anora joins Parasite and Everything Everywhere All at Once in the indie-crossover pantheon, questions linger over Hollywood’s evolving identity. With streamers claiming 60% of nominations and international auteurs dominating categories, the industry’s tectonic shifts feel irreversible. Yet the 2025 Oscars proved that even amidst chaos – natural, financial, or existential – cinema’s power to reflect, resist, and resurrect remains unshaken.
For now, the golden statues gleam a little brighter, their sheen undimmed by ash or doubt.
