Review: Did the Academy make the right choices at the 2025 Oscars?

Nothing divides the film community quite like the Academy Awards. This year was no different — though not as disappointing as 2024’s “Oppenheimer” sweep, this year’s ceremony did raise some eyebrows. Here are our thoughts on the epic highs and lows of the 2025 Oscars.

Best Animated Feature Film: 'Flow'

This was sort of the only shakeup of the night. “Flow” was a pretty impressive film — especially considering it is devoid of dialogue — but my money was on “The Wild Robot” or “Memoir of a Snail.” Still, I’m definitely happy for “Flow” and what this represents for the future of independent animation. I saw it in theaters with my family, and my mom insisted afterwards that the cat protagonist’s name was Flow. This is not the case. 

Best Original Screenplay: 'Anora' by Sean Baker

This seemed fated from the moment it was a smash hit at the Cannes Film Festival, but it's nice to see Baker finally kick down the door. The win is owed in major part to the dynamic performance of Mikey Madison, who brings the film’s naturalistic dialogue to new heights. There are 479 F-bombs in Anora’s quippy screenplay, which now goes home with an Oscar. See, Mom, cursing every other word can lead to success. 

Best Adapted Screenplay: 'Conclave' by Peter Straughan

“Conclave” had a disappointing night, only picking up one win. For the supposed best-picture runner-up to "Anora," that's a disappointing haul. However, Peter Straughan’s screenplay on the Papal Election, or as I call it, “The Real Housewives of the Vatican,” will remain immortalized in Oscar glory. 

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin in 'A Real Pain'

Kieran Culkin deserved this win; there’s no way around it. His fellow nominees never seemed to mount massive campaigns, except maybe the fan support that “Anora's" Yura Borisov had behind him. Hopefully, Culkin can finally stop being “the ‘Home Alone’ kid’s little brother” and start being “the ‘Home Alone’ kid’s Oscar-winning little brother.”

Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña in 'Emilia Pérez

Thankfully, this is the only major award Emilia Pérez took home, and I’ll just pretend that Saldaña won this for “Avatar: The Way of Water.” One day, the Academy will learn that you don’t have to reward the best part of a bad movie. Today was not that day. Very sweet acceptance speech, though. 

Best Director: Sean Baker for 'Anora'

While I personally would have preferred Brady Corbet, Sean Baker winning is still incredibly cool. His roots come from scrappy, indie cinema (check out his 2004 “Take-Out!”), and his films have been great launching pads for young talent in Hollywood, most notably Brooklynn Prince from “The Florida Project.” He’s going to get a blank check for his next project and I’m excited to see what he does with it. 

Best Actress: Mikey Madison in 'Anora'

Hello, yes, 911? I’d like to report a robbery. Mikey Madison snatched Fernanda Torres’ Oscar right from under her nose. 

In all seriousness, I’m happy for Madison. She totally killed it in “Anora,” bringing forth one of the best leading performances in years. It’s unfortunate for her, then, that Torres and Demi Moore’s respective performances make hers look like it came from a Drug Abuse Resistance Education commercial.

Best Actor: Adrien Brody in 'The Brutalist'

There’s a real irony that in order to defend his “Youngest Lead Actor Winner” title from Timothée Chalamet, Brody just decided to win again. In winning a second best actor award, Brody is in rare company, joining legends like Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson and Daniel Day Lewis. It’s disappointing for all the Chalamet lovers out there (myself included), but I don’t believe he needs the Oscar this year to eventually be one of the greats. 

Best Picture: 'Anora'

“Anora” sweep? Is that what we’re doing? Christ, spare me. Don’t get me wrong, I liked “Anora” a lot. It’s a good movie! But this outpouring of accolades was wholly undeserved, especially best picture. “Dune: Part Two,” “Nickel Boys,” “I’m Still Here,” “The Substance” and, hell, even “Conclave” were all leagues above “Anora” and have been robbed of their shot at legend status. I should’ve known “Anora” would win when it became one of the fastest films to get a Criterion Collection DVD after its theatrical release. Awards season is a hustle, I guess. 

Letterboxd: @Banana_Peels

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