Movie fans the 2025 Oscars just wrapped up and let's just say there were some surprises. While everyone expected some drama nobody predicted the rollercoaster we actually got especially when it came to Best Picture and some major acting awards. Buckle up because we are diving into all the highlights the shocks and the moments everyone is buzzing about especially the wins for Emilia Pérez and the movie that stole the top prize Anora.
Zoe Saldaña Makes History and Wins Big at SAG Awards for 'Emilia Pérez' Oscar Frontrunner Alert!
Let's start with a win that had everyone cheering. Zoe Saldaña snagged the SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. This is HUGE people. She has been sweeping awards season taking home prizes left and right. Golden Globes Critics Choice BAFTAs and now the SAG Award. Is this the biggest hint ever that she is headed straight for an Oscar win next month? Looks like it!
During her acceptance speech Saldaña was super heartfelt saying "To be in this room…this is my community this is my circus." She thanked SAG-AFTRA and talked about how grateful she is to be part of a union that protects actors and celebrates diversity. She mentioned never being judged for "where I come from or judged for how I speak or what my pronouns are." It was a powerful moment and really resonated with the audience.
Saldaña’s win is also historic. She is only the second Latina actress to win Best Supporting Actress at the SAG Awards following Ariana DeBose. This is a significant moment for Latine representation in Hollywood even amidst some interesting discussions about the movie itself.
'Anora' Wins Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars and the Internet Explodes: Was it Deserved?
Now for the shocker of the night. Anora an independent film directed by Sean Baker actually took home the Oscar for Best Picture. Yes you read that right Anora. The internet pretty much lost its mind. While some people were thrilled many others were… well let's just say they were not happy.
Anora is about a sex worker played by Mikey Madison who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. It is definitely not a typical Hollywood blockbuster. But it cleaned up at the Oscars winning not just Best Picture but also Best Director Best Actress Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing all for Sean Baker. Baker even tied Walt Disney’s record for most wins in a single night which is kind of mind-blowing for an independent movie.
Online the reaction was split. Some people were like "YES Anora deserved it!" calling it a masterpiece and one of the best Best Picture winners in years. They even formed a "Anora hive" online to celebrate. But then there was the other side. Lots of viewers were asking "Anora better than Nickel Boys? Better than Conclave? Better than Wicked?" Some comments were even harsher saying "The bar is so damn low." Ouch.
Some criticism also focused on the movie's portrayal of sex workers. However many fans defended Anora praising its unique style and storytelling. The whole thing sparked a huge debate online about what makes a "Best Picture" and whether awards shows even matter in the first place.
Why the 'Anora' Backlash? Exploring the Mixed Reactions to the Best Picture Winner
So why the mixed reactions to Anora winning? Well for starters it is not a mainstream movie. It is an independent film with mature themes and a raw style. That kind of movie is always going to be divisive. But the controversy also points to something bigger about awards shows in general.
Award ceremonies like the Oscars try to pick the "best" movie but art is subjective. What one person loves another might hate. When you declare one film the "winner" it can upset people especially fans of other nominated movies. It creates this idea of "winning" and "losing" in art which does not really fit.
Social media also plays a big role in all this. Now everyone can instantly share their opinions and fandoms become super active online. You get "Anora hives" celebrating their movie but also passionate fans of other films who feel snubbed and want to voice their disappointment. It is all part of the fun and drama of awards season even if it gets a bit heated sometimes.
Zoe Saldaña's Historic Win and Latine Representation in Hollywood: A Complex Moment
While Zoe Saldaña’s win is definitely a moment to celebrate some critics point out that Latine representation at the Oscars is still complicated. Some argue that movies like Emilia Pérez while featuring Latina actresses are still often told through a "white male perspective." One article even questioned if "Emilia Pérez could have taken place on Mars as easily as in Mexico." This raises a point about whose stories are being told and how authentically they are being represented even when awards are being given out.
Key Winners at the 2025 Academy Awards: Must-Know Oscar Wins
Want to know who else took home Oscars? Here are some of the key winners from the 2025 Academy Awards :
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison, Anora
- Best Director: Sean Baker, Anora
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
- International Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)
- Animated Feature Film: Flow
- Original Screenplay: Anora, Sean Baker
- Adapted Screenplay: Conclave, Peter Straughan
- Original Song: “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez
- Costume Design: Wicked, Paul Tazewell
- Film Editing: Anora, Sean Baker
Oscar Night Takeaways: Surprises Debates and the Ever-Evolving World of Film Awards
The 2025 Oscars were definitely memorable from the Anora Best Picture upset to Zoe Saldaña’s well-deserved win and all the online chatter in between. It is a reminder that awards shows are always going to spark debate and that art is something people feel passionately about. Whether you agreed with the winners or not the Oscars always give us something to talk about and plenty of movies to add to our watchlists . What were your biggest shocks and favorite moments from the 2025 Oscars? Let us know in the comments!