The 2025 Oscar season became the talk of the town with a collection of films where one outshone the other just as much as the cascade of scandals, each more gripping than the last. Let's dig deep into this!
The awards season in the West dominates the first three months of the year, with back-to-back ceremonies, starting with the Golden Globes and culminating in the Academy Awards. While these events are designed to honor the best in film, determined by a democratic process of voting members, they have increasingly become more about buzz, campaigns, and strategic positioning. The Oscars, in particular, are as much about winning hearts as they are about winning votes. Dinners, parties, magazine spreads, interviews, and more fill the space as films campaign to stand out. This often leads to surprising turns in the awards race; a frontrunner early in the season can lose momentum, while an underdog can soar by the end. This season is no different, as many have assessed it as a mix where artistry and controversy are inseparably intertwined, celebrating cinematic brilliance while highlighting the drama surrounding it.
Also Read: Oscar highlights 2025: ‘Anora’ wins big; Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison bag Best Actor awards
For instance, Emilia Perez and The Substance started the season strong, widely considered top contenders for the Oscars. But just a month and a half earlier, Anora surged ahead alongside Conclave and The Brutalist, sweeping the top categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Screenplay. Sean Baker made history as the only filmmaker to win all four in a single night, a feat achieved only once before. Anora’s victory was a triumph for independent cinema, signaling a moment of triumph for those pushing for stories that defy traditional norms. Baker used his platform to advocate for the support of indie films and encourage audiences to return to theaters. However, Emilia Perez fell from grace as it was hindered by controversies over its portrayal of Mexican and trans communities and issues surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón, leading to questions that changes be brought in the Academy regarding representation.
Another major shift in the Academy’s rules came with the use of AI in film production. After it was revealed that AI had been used in The Brutalist, a grand four-hour epic shot on 70mm, stirred controversy not only for its portrayal of a Holocaust survivor but for its use of AI to perfect Adrien Brody’s accent and design the architectural plans central to the film's production design, the Academy mandated that any use of AI must be disclosed upfront. This raised questions about the fairness of competition, especially when comparing performances like Timothée Chalamet’s in A Complete Unknown, a biopic on Bob Dylan for which he fully immersed himself in the role. Some felt he deserved the award more than Brody, sparking debate over what constitutes true excellence in acting and where artistry ends and technology begins in modern cinema.
The disappointment over actors being snubbed is a recurring theme! Demi Moore, once considered a frontrunner for The Substance, was unexpectedly passed over in favor of young star Mikey Madison, whose portrayal in Anora was praised for giving agency to female sexuality. Madison, in her speech, championed sex workers, a cause that resonated with many. Meanwhile, as an actor, Kieran Culkin remained consistent throughout the season, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain. Culkin used his acceptance speech to advocate for pro-parenthood in his signature disarming style.
But the Oscars are about more than just handing out trophies. They provide a platform for social commentary and advocacy. This year, the costume designer for Wicked, Paul Tazewell, made a powerful statement as the first Black winner in the category. At the same time, the team behind I’m Still Here brought Brazil its first-ever Oscar win for Best International Feature. The host, Conan O’Brien, took many playful jabs, but the most memorable became the one made at U.S. President Trump. In his comedic way, Ben Stiller gave space to honour the Oscar set design, whose evolution over the years has been commendable, while presenting the Best Production Design award. Colman Domingo started a dance party during a commercial break, and Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande shared a touching moment during their duet performance.
So much more happened during the ceremony, only proving that the Oscars are more than just a celebration of cinematic craft; they serve as a forum for conversations about the state of storytelling, global issues, and the urgent need for greater inclusivity and representation in film. Despite ongoing criticism for its biases and limitations, like not considering horror and erotica as genres to be nominated, the Academy remains one of the few spaces where artistic freedom is valued and recognized. This year, the Oscars made a bold statement when Anora, a film centered on a sex worker, claimed all the highest honors—challenging long-standing taboos about the kinds of stories that deserve celebration.
However, alongside this celebration of cinema lies the commercial pressures and controversies that inevitably shape a film’s legacy. This is why, despite the triumphs and dialogues that were fostered, I can’t help but wonder why films like All We Imagine As Light, despite a strong run, didn’t make the final cut. Yet to think that 'cinema is just about telling a story without being a story itself' would be kidding ourselves. Hence, the Oscars, with all its gossip and shrewdness, is where cinema is celebrated in its truest form.
It makes me wonder why we can’t create an equivalent space—our own Oscars—that sparks debate, honors craft, and celebrates talent, including the commercial packaging. Where is our space for the art of cinema, one that exists alongside the brand-sponsored glitz while driven by the stories that matter most?
What are your thoughts on the 2025 Oscars season? Tell us in the comments below!
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