Listen to the article
After an intense Oscar battle, “One Battle After Another” emerged victorious over Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners” in this year’s Academy Awards. The politically charged action comedy secured the coveted Best Picture award, capping a night filled with historic moments and emotional tributes.
The three-hour-and-forty-minute ceremony featured several breakthrough achievements, including Michael B. Jordan’s Best Actor win for “Sinners” and Jessie Buckley becoming the first Irish performer to win Best Actress for her role in “Hamnet.”
Perhaps the night’s most electrifying moment came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman and Black person to win the cinematography award for “Sinners.” During her acceptance speech, she asked all women in the Dolby Theatre to stand, acknowledging that such achievements “don’t happen without women standing up for you and advocating for you.”
The evening marked a triumphant conclusion to Paul Thomas Anderson’s long Oscar journey. After 14 previous nominations without a win, Anderson finally secured three Academy Awards in one night: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director for “One Battle After Another,” culminating in the Best Picture win.
“I wrote this movie for my kids, to say sorry for the housekeeping mess that we left in this world we’re handing off to them,” Anderson said while accepting his screenplay award. “But also with the encouragement that they will be the generation that hopefully brings us some common sense and decency.”
Amy Madigan’s Best Supporting Actress win for “Weapons” represented another long-awaited achievement. The 40-year gap between her first nomination for 1985’s “Twice in a Lifetime” and this victory set a record for the longest wait in that category. Madigan’s transformation into an eccentric aunt became a popular internet meme and was even referenced in host Conan O’Brien’s opening skit.
The ceremony featured a poignant tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner, who was killed along with his wife Michele Singer Reiner last December. Led by Billy Crystal, the segment brought together stars from Reiner’s iconic films including “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride,” and “A Few Good Men.” Crystal reflected on their friendship, which began in 1975 on “All in the Family.”
“My friend Rob’s movies will last for lifetimes because they were about what makes us laugh and cry and what we aspire to be: Far better in his eyes, far kinder, far funnier and far more human,” Crystal said.
The in memoriam section honored industry figures lost during 2025, including Catherine O’Hara, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, and Brigitte Bardot. Barbra Streisand paid special tribute to her “The Way We Were” co-star Robert Redford, briefly singing the film’s title song.
Musical performances were limited but impactful. Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq delivered a blues-infused rendition of “I Lied to You” from “Sinners,” featuring an ensemble that included Misty Copeland and Buddy Guy. The animated feature winner “KPop Demon Hunters” celebrated with a performance of “Golden,” which later won Best Original Song—a first for K-pop.
The ceremony also featured several cast reunions. The “Bridesmaids” ensemble of Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, and Ellie Kemper reunited 15 years after their film’s release to present awards for Best Original Score and Best Sound. Their segment included playful jabs at audience members including Leonardo DiCaprio.
Second-time host Conan O’Brien balanced humor with heartfelt moments throughout the evening. He joked that he’d be “the last human Oscar MC” with AI likely taking over next year, and delivered a pointed Jeffrey Epstein reference that drew gasps. O’Brien also celebrated the global nature of cinema, noting that 31 countries across six continents were represented at the ceremony.
“Every film we salute is a product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty,” O’Brien said. “We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience and that rarest of qualities today: optimism.”
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
I’m curious to see how the winning songs and scores from the Oscars will be received. Music is such an integral part of the filmmaking process, and it’s great to see it highlighted. Hopefully, the winners will inspire more people to appreciate the art of film scoring.
The Oscars are a reflection of the industry, and it’s interesting to see how the results align with or diverge from public opinion. It’s always a lively discussion, and I enjoy seeing how the debates unfold. Ultimately, it’s a celebration of the art of filmmaking.
Congratulations to Michael B. Jordan on his Best Actor win. He’s proven himself to be a versatile and compelling performer, and I’m glad the Academy recognized his talents. Looking forward to seeing what he does next.
Glad to see a woman and Black filmmaker like Autumn Durald Arkapaw win the cinematography award. Representation and diversity in the industry are so important, and it’s great to see the Oscars highlight these achievements.
Exciting to see Paul Thomas Anderson finally get the recognition he deserves. His directing and screenwriting skills have always been top-notch, and I’m glad the Academy is celebrating his talents. Can’t wait to see what he does next.
Sad to see some talented individuals like Amy Madigan not get the recognition they deserve. The Oscars can be fickle, but I hope she continues to find fulfilling projects that showcase her skills. Talent like hers deserves to be celebrated.
The Oscars are a polarizing event, with people often debating the merits of the winners and losers. It’s interesting to see how the industry and the public react to the results. Ultimately, it’s a celebration of filmmaking, and that’s always worth appreciating.
Interesting to see the politically charged comedy “One Battle After Another” take home Best Picture. I’ll have to check it out and see how it tackles current issues in an entertaining way. Kudos to the filmmakers for their bold approach.
The Oscars are always a mixed bag, with some predictable winners and some surprises. Curious to see how the general public reacts to the results and whether any controversies arise. Regardless, it’s always an interesting event to follow.
The Oscars are always a mix of highs and lows, with some deserving winners and some questionable choices. But it’s a chance to celebrate the artistry and hard work that goes into making great films. Kudos to all the nominees and winners for their achievements.