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*One Battle After Another* dominates Oscars with historic wins
The political thriller One Battle After Another claimed six Academy Awards on Sunday, including best picture and best director for Paul Thomas Anderson, marking his first Oscar victory after decades in Hollywood.
Anderson's long-awaited triumph
Anderson, a revered filmmaker with no prior Oscar wins, joked during his acceptance speech, "You make a guy work hard for one of these. I really appreciate it." He described the film's creation as a "wonderful journey" and dedicated the screenplay award to his children, expressing regret for the world's current state while urging the next generation to restore "common sense and decency."
Major acting victories
Michael B. Jordan won best actor for his dual role in Sinners, a 1930s-set drama where twins face supernatural forces. Jordan thanked director Ryan Coogler for "the opportunity and the space to be seen" and honored past Black winners, including Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington. "I stand here because of the people who came before me," he said.
Irish actress Jessie Buckley took home her first Oscar for best supporting actress in Hamnet, portraying Shakespeare's grieving wife. She dedicated the award to mothers worldwide, calling it "the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart," and thanked her parents for teaching her to "dream beyond expectations."
Supporting categories
Sean Penn earned his third Oscar (best supporting actor) for One Battle After Another, though he was absent from the ceremony. The film also won best adapted screenplay and best casting, a newly introduced category. Cassandra Kulukundis, the casting director, celebrated the recognition of her field's contributions.
Historic firsts and milestones
Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win best cinematography for Sinners, calling the moment a collective achievement for women in the industry. Sinners also secured best original score and screenplay for Coogler, who praised his family's support.
Amy Madigan won best supporting actress for the horror film Weapons, her first Oscar since her 1986 nomination. She credited director Zach Cregger for crafting a "dream part" that allowed her to "grab it by the throat."
Other notable wins
Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters triumphed in best animated feature and best original song, with producer Maggie Kang dedicating the win to "Koreans everywhere." Sentimental Value, a Norwegian film, won best international feature, with director Joachim Trier urging leaders to prioritize children's welfare.
Technical awards went to Frankenstein (costume design, production design, makeup) and F1 (best sound). The best live-action short category ended in a tie for the first time since 2013, with The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva sharing the honor.
Political moments and tributes
Political statements were sparse, though Javier Bardem declared "No to war, and free Palestine" while presenting. The In Memoriam segment honored late icons like Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Val Kilmer, with Barbra Streisand remembering Redford as an "intellectual cowboy."
