Oscars 2025: Indie Films Shine, Big Names Struggle

The Oscars 2025 was a night that showed the power of low-budget films. Movies like Anora, The Brutalist, and A Real Pain proved that you don't need a huge budget to make a big impact. These films, with budgets ranging from $3 million to $10 million, showed that creativity and storytelling can triumph over big-budget productions. The night was filled with surprises. Anora took home the big prize, but it wasn't an easy ride. Until the final moments, the Academy seemed to be spreading the love around, with many films and actors receiving recognition. A Complete Unknown, a film many thought would be a crowd-pleaser, ended up empty-handed. This could be because music biopics aren't the Academy's favorite or because the film just didn't stand out in a diverse field. The Oscars couldn't escape the shadow of Harvey Weinstein. Adrien Brody, who won for Best Actor, mentioned his partner Georgina Chapman and her children. The fact that Weinstein's children call Brody "Popsie" was a surprising revelation. It's a reminder that even in a night of celebration, past controversies linger. The in memoriam segment was a mix of emotions. Some big names were missing, like Tony Todd, who starred in Candyman and Final Destination. His omission was a notable oversight, given his significant contributions to film. The streaming revolution wasn't as smooth as expected. Tech glitches marred the Hulu broadcast, causing frustration for viewers. Sean Baker, the director of Anora, used his acceptance speech to highlight the importance of both independent films and movie theaters. Conan O'Brien had some sharp jokes about the state of streaming, suggesting a simpler, more unified TV experience. Adrien Brody had a memorable moment when he won Best Actor. He negotiated with the orchestra for more time during his acceptance speech. His plea for more time was met with laughter and jokes about needing an intermission. It was a light-hearted moment in an otherwise tense night. Conan O'Brien brought a wild energy to the Oscars. His musical number and jokes about Adam Sandler's hoodie were entertaining, but some of his jokes fell flat. Despite this, his energy added a fun twist to the ceremony. Horror films had a tough night. The Substance, a gory body horror, only won one award. Demi Moore, who was seen as a frontrunner for Best Actress, and Coralie Fargeat, the writer-director, both lost out to Anora. Even the period horror Nosferatu couldn't win in any of its categories. It seems horror still struggles for recognition. The Best Actress category saw a return to younger winners. Mikey Madison, at 25, was the youngest winner since Brie Larson in 2016. This shift highlights a change in voting patterns, favoring younger actresses over older ones. Demi Moore had a magical run this awards season, but her loss for Best Actress was a letdown. Karla Sofia Gascon, the first transgender actor nominated for an Oscar, faced a different kind of backlash. Her past racist and xenophobic tweets overshadowed her nomination, leading to an awkward and ignominious end to her night. Kieran Culkin had a memorable moment when he won for Best Supporting Actor. His speech about his wife promising him a fourth child if he won was met with mixed reactions. Some found it charming, while others thought it was inappropriate. The British winners kept it classy and low-key. Noah Crawley and Lee Sandales, the production design team for Wicked, danced their way to the stage. Daniel Blumberg, the composer for The Brutalist, read from a cue card. Peter Straughan, the screenwriter for Conclave, mentioned his daughter stealing his jumper. Lol Crawley, the cinematographer for The Brutalist, kept his speech short and sweet. Their humility and simplicity were a refreshing change from the usual Oscar speeches. Conclave, a well-made adaptation of a Robert Harris novel, was expected to be a strong contender. It won the BAFTA for Best Film and the Screen Actors Guild ensemble award, but it only took home one Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. This suggests that the Academy might be moving away from traditional choices.