The curtain has fallen on a glittering night at the 77th British Academy Film Awards, where Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” reigned supreme, clinching an impressive seven awards from its 13 nominations. Amid the storied history of cinema, it’s not every year that a film so poignantly captivates both the imagination and critical acclaim as “Oppenheimer” has, securing itself as the frontrunner for the upcoming Oscars.
The sweeping win for “Oppenheimer” included the coveted best picture award, as well as accolades for director and actor, elevating the atomic bomb epic to legendary status. Irish actor Cillian Murphy captured the best actor prize for his haunting portrayal of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer—often referred to as the father of the atomic bomb—delivering what many consider the performance of a lifetime. Murphy, whilst expressing gratitude, touched on the enormity of bringing such a profoundly intricate and real-life figure to the screen.
Equally commendable, British filmmaker Christopher Nolan, known for his ambitious cinematic endeavors, grasped his first-ever best director BAFTA for his work on “Oppenheimer.” Nolan did not mince words when he emphasized the grim nature of the film’s subject matter—nuclear armaments—and the challenges that came with such a portrayal.
The film also shone bright in the categories of best supporting actor—with Robert Downey Jr. immortalizing Atomic Energy Commission head Lewis Strauss—editing, cinematography, and musical score. The accolades were a testament to the film’s meticulousness and artistic execution, though it fell short of breaking the record nine trophies scooped by “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in 1971.
But the night wasn’t just about “Oppenheimer.” The colorful and audacious “Poor Things” swept up five prizes, including best actress for Emma Stone’s portrayal of the unconventionally lively Bella Baxter. The film also dazzled with its notable achievements in visual effects, production design, makeup, hair, and costume design.
In a memorable turn of events, “The Zone of Interest” was recognized for its unique and poignant storytelling, securing three prizes. Notably, the British-produced, Polish-shot film with a largely German cast was honored as both the best British film and best film not in English—a first in BAFTA history. It also won for its sound design, which critics hailed as the real star of the unsettling drama based around the Auschwitz death camp.
This year’s vintage crop of films made the competition particularly fierce, highlighting an awards season re-energized by the end of debilitating strikes within the film industry.
In documentary filmmaking, the stark and sobering “20 Days in Mariupol” merited the best documentary award, a harrowing account of life in the Ukrainian city under siege. Filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov dedicated the win to the resilience of Ukraine and the spirit of the people of Mariupol.
The BAFTAs once again played host to a star-studded ensemble, from nominees to performers to royal presence, with the electric atmosphere providing a glimpse of what the forthcoming Academy Awards might have in store. The original screenplay prize was seized by “Anatomy of a Fall,” with Cord Jefferson taking home the adapted screenplay award for his work on “American Fiction.”
While the night spotlighted a variety of ground-breaking work across the industry, notable films such as “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Barbie” left empty-handed despite their multiple nominations. Furthermore, Greta Gerwig’s lack of a director nomination for “Barbie,” despite the film’s box office success, brewed conversations about snubs and oversights.
Seeking to rectify historical imbalances, the BAFTA has undergone shifts to diversify its awarding process since 2020; but despite this, Justine Triet remained the solitary female nominee among this year’s director contenders.
As the night’s celebrations came to a close, the achievements of leaders in the film industry were spotlighted, with the Rising Star award voted by the public going to Mia McKenna-Bruce, and exceptional contributions by film curator June Givanni and actress Samantha Morton being aptly honored.
Beyond the glitz and glamour, the ceremony served as a reminder of the power of storytelling and its enduring impact on society—a manifesto of cinema’s timeless allure and transformative potential.
