With that, we say farewell to another year of film and another exceptional Oscars ceremony. Before we get into the winners, let’s talk about the show and Conan O’Brien’s second hosting gig. Once again, Conan is an absolute delight, his comedic timing is great and his monologue is as hilarious and charismatic as you’d expect. It’s mostly non-political (but he brings on Jimmy Kimmel later in the night to deliver the necessary jabs). He even injects a brief somber beat to acknowledge the not-so-celebratory world events. Opening with a sequence parodying Aunt Gladys from Weapons was utter perfection, then closing with a reference to One Battle After Another was hilarious (it absolutely would’ve been a different clip had Sinners won). With some neat segments throughout, his presence was fantastic and I hope he sticks around next year.
I loved seeing Matt Berry as the announcer for the night; his unmistakable voice was a delight from start to finish. Timothée Chalamet getting grilled for his ballet/opera comments twice made for fun tongue-in-cheek moments. Grogu himself was in attendance, and I’m still astounded by the articulate detail of that puppet. Plus we saw a tie for the first time since 2013, which was a wild occurrence. The “in memoriam” section was maybe the longest it has ever been, but it was powerful, emotional and worth every second. I feel like they found a great middle-ground with showcasing the Best Original Song nominees; highlighting performances of the nominees that lend themselves to an exciting set-piece. Not every song will bring the house down like “Golden”, so they opted out of the ones that would bring the mood down. My one gripe is that there were a couple of cutthroat playoffs during speeches, something I never agree with unless they’ve been talking for 5+ minutes. It’s their moment, so let them shine.
Finally, lets get into the winners of the night. Walking away with the most wins, including Best Picture, is One Battle After Another with 6 wins from 13 nominations. Following close behind is Sinners with 4 wins from its record-breaking 16 nominations. So much of this night was these two films going back and forth with momentum swings. The former stole a Best Casting win then the latter stole back a Cinematography win. In the end, the late momentum of Sinners couldn’t push it to the top. Frankenstein ended the night with an expected 3 wins from 9 categories, while Hamnet, F1, Weapons and Avatar: Fire and Ash each cashed in 1 win. Even Kpop Demon Hunters managed to bring home 2 wins.
Of my predictions, I managed 20/24 correct picks this year, with nearly every category falling in line.
The winner will be highlighted in RED.
My prediction will be highlighted in GREEN.
If you don’t see an option highlighted in GREEN that’s because my prediction is the same as the winner.
Best Picture
Bugonia
F1
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
The Secret Agent
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Train Dreams
Here we are; we’re at the big award of the night. The moment we get to see whether Sinners or One Battle After Another captured most people’s hearts. And the answer is: One Battle After Another. This has been the big winner since the beginning of award season and never looked like slowing down. It has faced some steep competition recently thanks to a late surge by Sinners, but it just wasn’t enough to sway Academy voters away from Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic. It rounds out a successful night for both films, hoarding 10 of the night’s awards between them. I personally would have edged over to the side of Sinners, but it’s a merited win nonetheless.
Actor in a Leading Role
Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent
Momentum is a powerful thing. Michael B. Jordan is now an Oscar winner. The man is a phenomenal actor, having delivered a number of exceptional roles in his career so far, but none more impressive than what he achieves as both Smoke and Stack in Sinners. His charisma, passion, heart and conviction in the dual role makes this win all the more incredible. One thing’s for certain; this won’t be his only Oscar if he keeps performing the way he has been.
Actress in a Leading Role
Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue
Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value
Emma Stone, Bugonia
For good reason, no one is surprised here. Jessie Buckley delivered a performance as real, raw, brutal and gripping as you’ve seen. This is her first Oscar win and it’s a testament to her abilities as an actor. Her speech was beautiful and emotionally charged; perhaps the most heartwarming of the night.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein
Delroy Lindo, Sinners
Sean Penn, One Battle After Another
Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value
Despite the competition, the One Battle After Another love continues with a win for Sean Penn; his third Oscar win and first in this category. The man did next-to-no campaigning yet still caught the eye of Academy voters. I also love Kieran Culkin’s little jab to Sean Penn about not wanting to be there to accept his win. Odds are Culkin will be back next year to present the award again because Penn will probably melt his Oscar down upon receiving it.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Elle Fanning, Sentimental Value
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
Amy Madigan, Weapons
Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners
Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another
I mean, tonight’s Oscars opened with Conan O’Brien imitating Amy Madigan in Weapons, showing just how much impact her role had on pop culture. After a long career and 40 years since her first Oscar nomination, Madigan has finally taken home her first win for a stellar performance in a horror film, of all genres. It’s a well-deserved win and great way to open the night.
Directing
Chloé Zhao, Hamnet
Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme
Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value
Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Sinners may have taken Cinematography, but One Battle After Another and Paul Thomas Anderson have retained this award, putting them in pole position for Best Picture. PTA’s directing on this film is world-class, bringing every element together in a way that creates a beautiful, extravagant and exciting film. Every element works together in unison and it’s all thanks to his prowess as a director.
Cinematography
Frankenstein
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Okay. This could be big. Sinners couldn’t top One Battle After Another for Best Editing, but it has done so for Cinematography. This could mean we’re heading for a Best Picture spin, especially if it claims Directing later in the night. Autumn Durald is now the first EVER woman to win an Oscar for cinematography. She has an exceptional eye and extracts every ounce of beauty from every single shot. It’s wonderful to see her be recognised here.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
Train Dreams
While this win didn’t go the way I wanted, it’s gone to a deserving film in One Battle After Another and a deserving creative in Paul Thomas Anderson. This is his first-ever win from 14 nominations, and he still has Best Directing to (probably) win. The film is chaotic and doesn’t stop moving, with explosive and smartly-written dialogue to go along with it.
Writing (Original Screenplay)
Blue Moon
It Was Just an Accident
Marty Supreme
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Sinners has just won its first Oscar of the night, and Ryan Coogler has his first-ever Academy Award for what is an incredible, exceptionally-written film. His speech was filled with so much love, passion and appreciation, so you can see how much it means to him and those who helped make the film what it was. The audience reaction to this win vs Paul Thomas Anderson’s first win gives you the idea that everyone in the room wants Sinners to win the big one.
Best Casting
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
The Secret Agent
Sinners
Oh WOW. With this award coming so early in the night and One Battle After Another stealing what looked like a certain win for Sinners, this might spell disaster for Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic. That being said, the casting in One Battle After Another is exceptional across the board so it’s a well-deserved win nonetheless. I just think the Sinners cast was a lot more memorable as an ensemble.
Animated Feature Film
Arco
Elio
KPop Demon Hunters
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
Zootopia 2
This was about as close to a slam dunk as you’ll get in this category. The global impact of Kpop Demon Hunters is unmatched in the last decade, so it’s a no-brainer that this would come out on top. And to think Sony sold the rights to this film not recognising the franchise-making potential is insane… someone over there is crying themselves to sleep right now.
Film Editing
F1
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Sinners
My live thoughts: the more Oscars One Battle After Another wins without Sinners interjecting, the greater its chance of winning Best Picture is. The mayhem of the first act is certainly what led to this win. It’s chaotic but easy to follow; a testament to its stellar editing.
Music (Original Score)
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Phew. I was getting really concerned for a moment that One Battle After Another would also steal this win from Sinners, but alas justice has been served. Ludwig Göransson’s score is poignant, beautiful, epic and exciting; so integral to the narrative that there really was no other option.
Music (Original Song)
“Dear Me”, Diane Warren: Relentless
“Golden”, KPop Demon Hunters
“I Lied To You”, Sinners
“Sweet Dreams of Joy”, Viva Verdi!
“Train Dreams”, Train Dreams
When I heard the live performance of “I Lied To You” early in the night, the sheer production value and excitement from the crowd had me thinking maybe it will bring home this Oscar. Then “Golden” was performed and you just can’t write off the awe, excitement and fun that is that song. Sure enough, “Golden” walks away with the win and becomes the first K-Pop song to win an Oscar.
Sound
F1
Frankenstein
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Sirât
The sound in F1 is the reason it’s so exciting, thrilling and mesmerising. The racing sequences are an exceptional feat in filmmaking, so it’s fantastic to see the achievement in sound during those moments be recognised. Plus it’s a blockbuster film winning an Oscar; something that’s becoming less rare but still just as great to witness.
Visual Effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
Jurassic World Rebirth
The Lost Bus
Sinners
Wrap it up guys, the best film of the year just won the Oscar it was guaranteed the day it came out. Avatar: Fire and Ash does phenomenal things with its visual effects, eclipsing what its predecessors achieved just when that seemed impossible. Every shot, no matter how otherworldly, seemed tangible and real, which is a testament to its stellar visual effects.
Production Design
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
I mean, just look at the above image… if that’s not Oscar-worthy production design then I don’t know what is. Frankenstein is a visually stunning work of art, with every single set intricately detailed from top to bottom to transport you to the heart of its gothic setting. No other win here would have been justified.
Costume Design
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
Sinners
As expected, Frankenstein and Kate Hawley have taken home this win. Her costume design in this film was bar none the most spectacular of the year. It’s fantastic to see her get recognised and I can’t wait for her to be nominated and win more in the future. Every time Mia Goth changes into a new vibrant, flowy, elaborate outfit it’s the focus of the entire scene. It’s not just the extravagant that’s impressive either; the dark, dirty costumes of both the Creature and Victor Frankenstein are just as beautiful.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Frankenstein
Kokuho
Sinners
The Smashing Machine
The Ugly Stepsister
Following from its Costume Design win, Frankenstein has claimed the win for Makeup and Hairstyling, one of the many elements of the film that’s beautiful and poetic and artistically impressive. The work on Jacob Elordi to transform him into the creature is incredible, so it’s very deserving of the recognition.
International Feature Film
The Secret Agent (Brazil)
It Was Just an Accident (France)
Sentimental Value (Norway)
Sirât (Spain)
The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)
Having not seen Sentimental Value I can’t speak personally on its win, but with nine nominations this year I bet it’s a very-earned win.
Predictions in Additional Categories
Documentary (Feature)
The Alabama Solution
Come See Me in the Good Light
Cutting Through Rocks
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
The Perfect Neighbor
Documentary (Short Subject)
All the Empty Rooms
Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
Children No More: “Were and Are Gone”
The Devil Is Busy
Perfectly a Strengeness
Short Film (Animated)
Butterfly
Forevergreen
The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Retirement Plan
The Three Sisters
Short Film (Live Action)
Butcher’s Stain
A Friend of Dorothy
Jane Austen’s Period Drama
The Singers
Two People Exchanging Saliva
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