Hollywood’s biggest night once again proved that while the Academy Awards may change, some traditions—like extravagant couture, surprise snubs, and the occasional viral moment—remain eternal. The 97th Academy Awards took over the Dolby Theatre, where Sean Baker’s Anora dominated with five golden statuettes, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Mikey Madison, and Best Director for Baker himself. It was a win that had indie film enthusiasts celebrating and Oscar predictors smugly patting themselves on the back.
As Los Angeles flirted with wildfire season, the ceremony struck a balance between gravitas and grandeur. The opening number? A show-stopping tribute to Hollywood, courtesy of Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, that managed to be both poignant and perfectly engineered for Instagram.
A Spellbinding Opening—Two Witches and a Rainbow
Every year, the Oscars aim to deliver a musical moment that lingers long after the credits roll. This time, Grande and Erivo, both nominated for their work in Wicked, took center stage with a breathtaking medley that showcased their immense vocal talent. Grande’s ethereal rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow had the audience visibly moved, while Erivo’s powerful take on Home from The Wiz was nothing short of electrifying. Their performance was a testament to why they were among the night’s nominees, even as Wicked ultimately shined brightest in the technical categories.
Photo Source: Oscar.org
Photo Source: Oscar.orgAnora: How a Brooklyn Love Story Stole Hollywood’s Heart
In what was the least shocking yet most satisfying victory of the evening, Mikey Madison clinched Best Actress for her role in Anora, gripping her Oscar with the kind of nervous excitement that suggests she had rehearsed this moment since childhood. Calling the win “surreal”—which is practically mandatory for new inductees to the Oscar winners’ club—Madison used her moment to spotlight the real-life sex workers who informed her performance. ABC’s censors hovered nervously over their delay buttons, but Madison’s speech was as poised as it was poignant.
Director Sean Baker, known for championing the underdog, saw his Anora claim five awards, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. It was a Cinderella moment for independent cinema, proving that in a world dominated by franchises, there’s still room for raw, heartfelt storytelling. Expect every meeting Baker takes for the next decade to include the phrase, “You know, from the Oscar-winning director of Anora.”
Photo courtesy: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features
Photo courtesy: Philippe Antonello/Focus FeaturesConclave: Whispers from the Vatican Win Big
In a quieter but no less significant victory, Conclave took home Best Adapted Screenplay. The Vatican-set thriller, starring Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal navigating the high-stakes selection of a new pope, delivered tension and intrigue without a single explosion—an achievement in modern Hollywood. Peter Straughan’s script deftly translated Robert Harris’s novel into an absorbing drama, proving that even ecclesiastical politics can make for compelling cinema.
007’s Musical Tribute: A License to Thrill
Amazon’s recent takeover of the James Bond franchise received a fittingly stylish showcase at the Oscars, featuring powerhouse performances from BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye, all putting their own spin on classic Bond themes. Margaret Qualley (The Substance) opened the segment with an electrifying dance sequence set to the unmistakable Bond motif, while Halle Berry—herself a Bond girl in Die Another Day—delivered a heartfelt tribute to longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
The real show-stealer? Lisa, who made history as the first K-pop artist to perform at the Academy Awards. Rocking a sharp statement suit on the red carpet before taking the stage, the BLACKPINK star brought her signature charisma to the performance, marking a milestone moment for global music at the Oscars. The tribute was sleek, stylish, and packed with enough high-energy spectacle to leave audiences both entertained and slightly suspicious that Amazon had negotiated a few extra minutes of airtime.
Photo courtesy: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features
Photo courtesy: Philippe Antonello/Focus FeaturesA Night of Diverse Wins and Snubbed Blockbusters
Beyond the night’s biggest wins, the Academy spread the wealth among a variety of films and talents. The Brutalist complemented Brody’s Best Actor win with trophies for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. Emilia Pérez secured Zoe Saldaña her long-overdue first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, while A Real Pain saw Kieran Culkin claim Best Supporting Actor with his signature wry humor.
Meanwhile, Flow scored a major upset over Inside Out 2 in the Best Animated Feature race, No Other Land took home Best Documentary, and The Substance landed Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Wicked dominated in technical categories like Costume and Production Design, proving that while it didn’t conjure up major awards, it still made a striking impression.
As the night ended, winners clutched their golden statues while runners-up consoled themselves with luxury gift bags worth the GDP of a small country. And just like that, Hollywood’s annual exercise in self-celebration came to a close—until next year, when we’ll once again pretend to be surprised by the results of an awards season that’s been meticulously campaigned for months in advance.
Full List of Winners
Best Picture: Anora
Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
Best International Feature: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
Best Animated Feature: Flow
Best Original Screenplay: Anora – Sean Baker
Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave – Peter Straughan
Best Original Score: The Brutalist
Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
Best Costume Design: Wicked
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance
Best Production Design: Wicked
Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
Best Film Editing: Anora
Best Cinematography: The Brutalist