Movie fans the 97th Academy Awards just wrapped up and there were definitely some surprises. One of the biggest talking points? Adrien Brody snagging the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in The Brutalist. It's his second win which is a huge deal but the internet's reaction has been well... complicated. Let's unpack what happened why people are talking and all the other highlights from the big night.
Adrien Brody Wins Best Actor for 'The Brutalist' Marking His Second Oscar and Joining Elite Company
Yep you heard it right Adrien Brody is now a two-time Oscar winner. He won Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist a film where he plays László Tóth a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor turned architect. This win puts Brody in a pretty exclusive club alongside acting legends like Jack Nicholson Marlon Brando and Tom Hanks all of whom have also won Best Actor twice. That is some serious company.
The Brutalist itself was a notable winner at the Oscars grabbing three awards in total including Best Actor Cinematography and Original Score. It's worth pointing out that The Brutalist and Best Picture winner Anora are both indie films. This is seen by many as a sign of the Academy maybe leaning towards more unique and less mainstream movies lately.
From Cheers to Jeers: Social Media Erupts with Memes and Jokes After Brody's Oscar Win
While you might expect everyone to be celebrating Brody's achievement the online world had a different take. Almost immediately after his win social media exploded with memes and jokes about Adrien Brody. People were making fun of everything from his past movie choices to his acceptance speech. Some online commentators even questioned if the win was deserved at all.
Some of the jokes online referenced perceived inconsistencies in Brody's career suggesting his two Oscars were somehow flukes. Others poked fun at his acceptance speech saying it went on too long. There were even memes about the use of AI to tweak his Hungarian accent in The Brutalist. It seems like meme culture can turn on anyone at any moment and this time Adrien Brody was in the spotlight.
Delving into the Mockery: Why is Adrien Brody Facing Online Backlash After Such a Big Win?
So why the mixed reaction? It is tough to pinpoint exactly but some suggest it might be related to Adrien Brody's somewhat unconventional public persona. He is known for his intense method acting style and some past controversies like a slightly awkward Saturday Night Live appearance years ago. Maybe there is a sense that he is an easy target for online humor or perhaps some perceive him as taking himself a bit too seriously. Whatever the reason the internet can be a fickle place and this time Adrien Brody became a meme.
Despite the online chatter it is important to remember Adrien Brody actually won a real Oscar voted on by his peers. He delivered a powerful acceptance speech reflecting on the fragility of an acting career and the importance of hard work and perseverance. He even spoke about his connection to the role of a Holocaust survivor through his own family history. Love him or hate him he has got two Best Actor trophies now and that is something no meme can take away.
Beyond Brody: Anora's Big Night and Other Key Wins at the 2025 Academy Awards
While Adrien Brody's win grabbed headlines Anora was the real star of the show. It took home a whopping five Oscars including Best Picture Best Director for Sean Baker Best Original Screenplay also for Sean Baker Best Film Editing and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. That is a major sweep for a smaller indie film.
Speaking of acting wins Mikey Madison's Best Actress win for Anora was considered a bit of an upset with many predicting Demi Moore might win. Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez and Kieran Culkin took home Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain. For Best International Feature the winner was I'm Still Here from Brazil.
Key Winners at the 2025 Oscars:
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Director: Sean Baker Anora
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody The Brutalist
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison Anora
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin A Real Pain
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña Emilia Pérez
- Best International Feature: I'm Still Here (Brazil)
The Oscars Go Indie? "Anora" and "The Brutalist" Signal a Shift in Academy Tastes
The success of smaller films like Anora and The Brutalist at this year's Oscars might suggest a change in what the Academy is celebrating. Are they moving away from big-budget blockbusters and embracing more independent and arthouse cinema? It is definitely something to consider. Anora even set a record for lowest box office earnings for a Best Picture winner in recent decades (excluding pandemic years). This could mean the focus is shifting more towards artistic merit and less on commercial success. Whether this trend continues remains to be seen but it certainly made the 2025 Oscars interesting.
Adrien Brody: Oscar Winner or Meme King? Ultimately He Still Takes Home the Gold
So Adrien Brody won his second Best Actor Oscar social media had a field day and indie films had a moment in the spotlight. The 97th Academy Awards were certainly eventful. While the internet might be busy making memes and jokes let's not forget Adrien Brody walked away with a golden statue. Love him or not that is a major achievement in any actor's career. And hey maybe all the online buzz will actually get more people to check out The Brutalist. You never know.