Oscars 2025 Highlights: Unexpected Wins, Controversial Snubs, and a Ceremony Full of Surprises
The 97th Academy Awards was an electrifying mix of cinematic brilliance, jaw-dropping upsets, and a few eyebrow-raising choices. While some moments had Hollywood’s elite on their feet in roaring applause, others left audiences worldwide scratching their heads. From Anora’s unexpected domination to Adrien Brody’s marathon acceptance speech, let’s break down the biggest wins, snubs, and WTF moments from Oscars 2025.
The Undisputed Champion: Anora
If you didn’t know Anora before Oscar night in the , you sure do now. Sean Baker’s indie juggernaut steamrolled through the competition, bagging five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. Baker’s sweep put him in an elite club, matching a record only held by Walt Disney. Not bad for a film about a sex worker caught up with Russian oligarchs, huh?
Mikey Madison’s Best Actress win was the shocker of the night. All signs pointed to Demi Moore (The Substance) finally getting her golden moment, but nope—Hollywood had other plans. Madison’s performance was undeniably powerful, but let’s be real: the Academy has a long history of snubbing horror films and older actresses. Coincidence? I think not.
Adrien Brody’s Speech—And the Art of Never Shutting Up
Adrien Brody added another Oscar to his shelf for The Brutalist, proving once again that he thrives in intense, brooding roles. His performance? Undeniably stellar. His acceptance speech? A hostage situation. Clocking in at over six minutes, Brody’s speech tested viewers’ patience as he thanked, well, everyone. Even the play-off music gave up. And let’s not forget the moment he casually tossed his gum at his partner on his way to the stage—classy move, Brody.
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana: No Surprises Here
Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldana (Emilia Pérez) won their respective Supporting Actor/Actress categories, and honestly, no one was shocked. Culkin, forever the lovable troublemaker, dropped an F-bomb in his speech and sweetly promised his wife another baby. Saldaña, meanwhile, made history as the first Dominican-American actress to win in her category. Her speech was heartfelt, but her post-Oscar 2025 comments about Emilia Pérez’s portrayal of Mexico—highlighting the industry’s obsession with crime narratives over cultural richness—sparked heated discussions.
Brazil’s Big Moment: I’m Still Here Wins International Feature
Latin America finally got its Oscar moment as Brazil’s I’m Still Here took home Best International Feature. Director Walter Salles delivered one of the most moving speeches of the night, dedicating the award to activist Eunice Paiva. It was a poetic victory, especially with Emilia Pérez losing steam in the category.
The Emilia Perez Downfall—From Frontrunner to Footnote
Once poised to be Netflix’s crowning achievement, Emilia Pérez entered the night with a staggering 13 nominations. Yet, by the end, it had only secured two wins. What happened? A mix of controversy and missteps. Karla Sofía Gascón’s past remarks created a PR nightmare, and the film’s portrayal of Mexico drew criticism for reinforcing negative stereotypes. Hollywood loves a redemption arc, but this wasn’t it.
A Political Moment That Actually Mattered: No Other Land
Oscars 2025 mostly played it safe on politics, but No Other Land’s Best Documentary Feature win shattered the silence. The Palestinian-Israeli co-directors used their moment to call out global inaction and demand justice. In a room full of industry heavyweights, their speech stood out—not just for its emotional weight, but for its boldness in an increasingly sanitized Hollywood landscape.
Hits and Misses of the Ceremony
Hit: Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s Showstopper
If there was one performance that justified staying up for this four-hour marathon, it was Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s stunning medley of Defying Gravity and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. A masterclass in vocal power, stage presence, and pure magic.
Miss: That James Bond Tribute That Nobody Asked For
Instead of letting the Original Song nominees perform, the Oscars gave us… a James Bond tribute? Starring Lisa (BLACKPINK), Doja Cat, and Raye? It was flashy, but also completely out of place. Honestly, just bring back Adele next time.
Miss: Conan O’Brien’s ‘Time Song’—An Exercise in Irony
Hosting the Oscars for the first time, Conan O’Brien had his moments, but his ‘Time Song’ bit fell flat. Meant to poke fun at the ceremony’s length, it ironically dragged on too long. Self-awareness is great, but maybe not when you’re adding to the problem.
In Memoriam: A Beautiful Tribute with Glaring Omissions
In the Oscars 2025 Highlights, Morgan Freeman’s tribute to Gene Hackman was touching, but fans quickly noticed the absence of TV icons Shannen Doherty and Michelle Trachtenberg. While they weren’t film stars per se, their contributions to pop culture were significant. The snub was disappointing and sparked online backlash.
Final Verdict
The 2025 Oscars reminded us why we love and hate awards season. On one hand, Anora’s historic sweep proved that indie films still have a place in mainstream Hollywood. On the other, baffling choices like the Bond tribute and Conan’s misfire moments showed that even after nearly a century, the Academy still struggles with getting the tone just right.
With indie and international cinema gaining more recognition, the future of the Oscars looks promising—if they can just keep the speeches under six minutes. Looking at you, Brody 😊
