The 2025 Critics Choice Awards crowned Anora as the best picture winner in a star-studded ceremony filled with surprising wins. Hosted by Chelsea Handler at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, the event saw Emilia Pérez, Wicked, and The Substance each securing three trophies, making them among the night’s biggest winners.
Adrien Brody took home the award for best actor for his performance in The Brutalist, while Demi Moore won best actress for her role in The Substance. Zoe Saldaña received best supporting actress for Emilia Pérez, and A Real Pain’s Kieran Culkin, though absent, was honored with best supporting actor.
Congratulations to Adrien Brody, winner of the Critics Choice Award for Best Actor. #CriticsChoice#CriticsChoiceAwards#[email protected]/uZoZcNZpi6
Despite controversy surrounding resurfaced tweets from its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez triumphed in three categories, winning best foreign language film, best song, and Saldaña’s supporting actress award. The film’s wins were met with a relatively subdued response in the room.
Meanwhile, Wicked received some of the loudest applause of the evening when director Jon M. Chu won best director in a surprising victory. Notably left out of the Oscar nominations, Chu quipped on stage, “I’m gonna win that Oscar.” The film also won for best production design and costume design.
Congratulations to John M. Chu, winner of the Critics Choice Award for Best Director. #CriticsChoice#CriticsChoiceAwards#[email protected]/limZrYI7VJ
The Substance continued its awards season success with wins for best original screenplay and best hair and makeup, in addition to Moore’s acting triumph. Conclave secured two major wins — best adapted screenplay and best acting ensemble.
Congratulations to Demi Moore, winner of the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress. #CriticsChoice#CriticsChoiceAwards#[email protected]/TOksEJYxAy
Comedy had its moment as well, with A Real Pain and Deadpool & Wolverine tying for best comedy. The night also provided some recognition for Challengers, which had been notably overlooked by the Oscars but walked away with two Critics Choice Awards.
Congratulations to A Real Pain, winner of the Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy. #CriticsChoice#CriticsChoiceAwards#[email protected]/yucH6NyWXz
Chelsea Handler set the tone for the night with a mix of tributes and sharp humor. She opened the show by addressing the recent devastating Los Angeles wildfires, thanking first responders and encouraging donations through an on-screen QR code.
While celebrating the night’s honorees, many winners also used their time on stage to address social and political issues. Colin Farrell, Kathy Bates, and Shogun’s Hiroyuki Sanada expressed gratitude to the firefighters battling the blazes. Hacks’ Hannah Einbinder and Shrinking’s Michael Urie took a stand for queer rights, with Urie declaring, “Trans lives matter.” Einbinder also spoke out against climate change, calling for accountability from the fossil fuel industry.
Handler kept the audience engaged with her signature wit, poking fun at Hollywood and current events. She joked about Anora, starring Mikey Madison, as “Melania Trump’s story” and quipped about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife, Cheryl Hines, saying, “Some of you will win, some will lose, and some will question your life choices like Cheryl Hines at a Senate confirmation hearing.”
The Critics Choice Awards, originally postponed due to the wildfires, finally aired on E! after its move from The CW. With major wins for Anora, Wicked, The Substance, and Emilia Pérez, the evening showcased a mix of celebrated favorites and surprise upsets, setting the stage for the Oscars to come.
Published – February 08, 2025 10:26 am IST
English cinema
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World cinema
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entertainment award
