March 3, Oscars 2025: In what can only be described as a night of seismic shifts, the 97th Academy Awards delivered more than just gold statues—it served as a reminder that the Oscars are never predictable. At the heart of this unforgettable evening was Anora, a film that exceeded all expectations by sweeping the night, taking home five Oscars, including Best Picture. But it wasn’t just the film’s success that stole the headlines—Mickey Madison’s win for Best Actress created an instant shockwave throughout the industry, forever altering her career and the trajectory of the evening.
It was an awards show full of surprises, with many of Hollywood’s biggest names and most anticipated contenders watching from the sidelines as relative newcomers and underdogs claimed the spotlight. Mickey Madison’s win, in particular, broke the mold. The 25-year-old actress outperformed seasoned heavyweights such as Demi Moore (The Substance) and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), taking home Best Actress for her portrayal of Zen Zee in Anora. Not only was it a major upset, but it also made Madison the ninth-youngest actress to ever win the prestigious award.
The Oscars had built up a narrative around Emilia Pérez, the 13-time nominee, but it was Anora—the underdog story of the year—that reigned supreme. With Sean Baker taking home Best Director for Anora, the film cemented its place in Oscar history. The film’s triumph was a stunning display of storytelling, making a powerful case for risk-taking in Hollywood and showing that sometimes, a well-crafted surprise can steal the entire show.
Meanwhile, Adrien Brody’s return to the Oscars spotlight was another powerful story of the night. Winning his second Best Actor Oscar for The Brutalist, Brody’s portrayal of a Hungarian architect rebuilding his life in post-World War II America had audiences captivated. His victory wasn’t just about his performance but about the revival of a star who had been missing from the Oscar conversation for some time.
Perhaps the most poignant moment came when Zoe Saldaña became the first American of Dominican descent to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez. Her acceptance speech was as historic as her win, marking a significant moment for diversity and representation in Hollywood.
The evening also saw Kieran Culkin winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, and Paul Tazewell making history as the first Black man to win the Costume Design Oscar for Wicked. These victories signaled that the Oscars are slowly—but surely—evolving to reflect a broader spectrum of talent, both in front of and behind the camera.
Despite Emilia Pérez’s dominance in nominations, Anora was the clear winner of the night, outshining the competition in key categories, including Film Editing and Original Screenplay. Meanwhile, Wicked, with its visually stunning design and performances, walked away with multiple technical awards, further cementing its place in this year’s Oscar conversation.
However, the night wasn’t without its surprises. I’m Not a Robot, the sci-fi short from Victoria Warmerdam, triumphed in Best Live Action Short, edging out the much-discussed Anuja from New Delhi. Meanwhile, Flow emerged victorious in the Best Animated Feature category, defeating major contenders like Inside Out 2.
The 97th Academy Awards revealed more than just the winners—it revealed an industry that’s evolving, a new generation of talent that’s breaking through, and a shift towards recognizing films and performances that defy traditional expectations. This year’s ceremony was a testament to the power of surprises, making it a night that will be talked about for years to come.
Check out the complete list of winners at the 97th Academy Awards – Oscars 2025
Best Picture
Anora – WINNER
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
I’m Still Here
Nickel Boys
The Substance
Wicked
Best Director
Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker, Anora – WINNER
Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
Coralie Fargeat, The Substance
James Mangold, A Complete Unknown
Best Actor In A Lead Role
Adrien Brody, The Brutalist – WINNER
Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice
Best Actress In A Lead Role
Cynthia Erivo, Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez
Mikey Madison, Anora – WINNER
Demi Moore, The Substance
Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here
Best Actor In A Supporting Role
Yura Borisov, Anora
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain – WINNER
Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce, The Brutalist
Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice
Best Actress In A Supporting Role
Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown
Ariana Grande, Wicked
Felicity Jones, The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini, Conclave
Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez – WINNER
Original Screenplay
Anora – WINNER
The Brutalist
A Real Pain
September 5
The Substance
Adapted Screenplay
Conclave – WINNER
A Complete Unknown
Emilia Pérez
Nickel Boys
Sing Sing
Animated Feature
Flow – WINNER
Inside Out 2
Memoir of a Snail
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The Wild Robot
Production Design
The Brutalist
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Nosferatu
Wicked – WINNER
Costume Design
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Gladiator II
Nosferatu
Wicked – WINNER
Cinematography
The Brutalist – WINNER
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
Maria
Nosferatu
Film Editing
Anora – WINNER
The Brutalist
Conclave
Emilia Pérez
Wicked
Makeup And Hairstyling
A Different Man
Emilia Pérez
Nosferatu
The Substance – WINNER
Wicked
Sound
A Complete Unknown
Dune: Part Two – WINNER
Emilia Pérez
Wicked
The Wild Robot
Visual Effects
Alien: Romulus
Better Man
Dune: Part Two
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Wicked
Original Score
The Brutalist – WINNER
Conclave
Emilia Pérez
Wicked
The Wild Robot
Original Song
“El Mal” (Emilia Pérez) – WINNER
“The Journey” (The Six Triple Eight)
“Like A Bird” (Sing Sing)
“Mi Camino” (Emilia Pérez)
“Never Too Late” (Elton John: Never Too Late)
Documentary Feature
Black Box Diaries
No Other Land – WINNER
Porcelain War
Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
Sugarcane
International Feature
I’m Still Here, Brazil
The Girl With the Needle, Denmark
Emilia Pérez, France
The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Germany
Flow, Latvia
Animated Short
Beautiful Men
In the Shadow of the Cypress – WINNER
Magic Candies
Wander to Wonder
Yuck!
Documentary ShortDeath by Numbers
I Am Ready, Warden
Incident
Instruments of a Beating Heart
The Only Girl in the Orchestra – WINNER
Live-Action Short
A Lien
Anuja
I’m Not a Robot – WINNER
The Last Ranger
The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent