Political thriller One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner at this year’s Oscars, securing six awards including best picture and best director, marking a major milestone for filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
The win gave Anderson his first Oscars for both best picture and best director, despite long being regarded as one of Hollywood’s most respected directors.
“You make a guy work hard for one of these, I really appreciate it,” Anderson joked during his acceptance speech, adding that making the film had been a “wonderful, wonderful journey.”
The film also won best adapted screenplay, best casting—awarded to Cassandra Kulukundis in the category’s first year at the ceremony—and best supporting actor for Sean Penn, marking the third Oscar of Penn’s career. The actor, however, was absent from the ceremony, having skipped major awards events throughout the season after attending the Golden Globes in January.
In the film, Penn portrays a white supremacist immigration commander who resurfaces to confront an anti-government activist played by Leonardo DiCaprio and his teenage daughter.
Accepting the screenplay prize, Anderson said:
“I wrote this movie for my kids, to say sorry for the housekeeping mess we left in this world we’re handing off to them.
“But also with the encouragement that they will be the generation that hopefully brings us some common sense and decency.”
Michael B Jordan wins best actor in tightly contested race
One of the night’s most closely watched categories was best actor, where Michael B Jordan won for his role in Sinners, beating Timothée Chalamet.
Jordan plays twins attempting to open a music venue in 1930s Mississippi, whose plans are disrupted by a sinister force.
Thanking the film’s director Ryan Coogler, Jordan said, “I’m so honoured to call you a collaborator and a friend, you gave me the opportunity and the space to be seen.”
He also paid tribute to past Black Oscar winners in the lead acting categories.
“I stand here because of the people who came before me – Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith,” he said.
“Thank you everybody in this room and everybody at home, for supporting me over my career. I feel it, I know you guys want me to do well, and I want to do that, because you guys bet on me.”
Jessie Buckley wins first Oscar for ‘Hamnet’
Irish actress Jessie Buckley received the first Oscar of her career, winning for her performance in Hamnet as William Shakespeare’s wife, who struggles with grief after the death of their 11-year-old son.
“This is really something,” Buckley said during her speech. “It’s Mother’s Day in the UK today. So I’d like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart.
“We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds. Thank you for recognising me in this role.”
Buckley also shared a personal tribute to her eight-month-old daughter, and thanked her parents “for teaching us to dream, and to never be defined by expectation, but to carve from your own passion.”
Historic win for cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw
The ceremony also marked a historic milestone when Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first female winner of the best cinematography Oscar, recognised for her work on Sinners.
She said she was “so honoured” to receive the award.
“I’ve felt so much love from all the women on this whole campaign, and gotten to meet so many people, and I just feel like moments like this happen because of you guys, and I want to thank you for that.”
Cinematography had previously been the last Oscar category without a female winner.
Sinners also picked up awards for best original score and best original screenplay, with director Ryan Coogler dedicating his speech to his family.
He thanked his wife and producer Zinzi, calling her “the best wife and mom in the world.”
Coogler also acknowledged his parents “for making me believe in myself” and told his children, “I apologise for all the time away. Dad loves you.”
Amy Madigan wins supporting actress for horror film
In another notable moment, Amy Madigan won best supporting actress for Weapons, becoming the first winner in the category from a horror film since Ruth Gordon won for Rosemary’s Baby in 1969.
The nomination was Madigan’s first since 1986, when she was recognised for Twice in a Lifetime.
Accepting the award, she said she was “very overwhelmed” to win in what was considered one of the most competitive acting races of the evening.
She praised the film’s director Zach Cregger, saying he “wrote a dream part, and let me grab it by the throat,” adding: “We had a ball.”
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ celebrates Korean representation
Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters had a strong night as well, winning best animated feature and best original song for Golden.
Producer Maggie Kang reflected on the significance of the win, said, “For those of you who look like me, I am so sorry that it took so long for us to see us in a movie like this,” she said.
“But it is here, and that means the next generation don’t have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.”
Other awards and moments from the ceremony
The best international feature award went to Sentimental Value, with director Joachim Trier joking in his acceptance speech, said “I’m just a film nerd from Norway, this means so much.”
He ended with a political remark, saying,
“All adults are responsible are responsible for all children, and let’s not vote for politicians who don’t take this seriously into account.”
Spanish actor Javier Bardem, presenting an award, also made a brief political statement:
“No to war, and free Palestine.”
Elsewhere, Frankenstein collected three technical awards for best costume design, production design, and make-up and hairstyling while the racing drama F1 won best sound.
The ceremony also saw the first tie since 2013, with The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva jointly winning best live action short.
Emotional tributes during In Memoriam
The traditional In Memoriam segment honoured several prominent figures from the film industry who died in the past year, including Diane Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Val Kilmer, Rob Reiner, Tom Stoppard, Robert Duvall, Michael Madsen, Terence Stamp and Diane Ladd.
Singer and actress Barbra Streisand paid tribute to her former The Way We Were co-star Robert Redford, who died last year aged 89.
“Bob had real backbone,” she said. “He was thoughtful and bold. I called him an intellectual cowboy who blazed his own trail. I miss him now more than ever.”
With sweeping victories, historic firsts and emotional speeches, this year’s Oscars delivered a ceremony that celebrated both cinematic excellence and the people who shaped the industry.
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