Anora Dominates the Oscars 2025: Mikey Madison Shines as Best Actress

Highlights from the 2025 Oscars

The Oscars recently celebrated its 97th edition, and the big winner of the night was the film Anora. The movie took home five awards, including Best Actress for newcomer Mikey Madison, and Sean Baker set a record by winning four Oscars for directing, editing, writing, and producing this film.

Anora tells the story of a New York stripper who falls in love with a wealthy Russian’s son. Madison’s win was a significant achievement, as she triumphed over seasoned actors like Demi Moore. In her emotional acceptance speech, she called winning the Oscar a “dream come true.” She also took a moment to honor the sex worker community, stating that meeting women from that field was one of the highlights of her career.

Sean Baker made history by becoming the first person to win four Oscars for a single film. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of supporting independent cinemas, reminding everyone that the theater experience is unique and essential for film lovers.

Among the other winners, Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, a film about two cousins traveling across Poland. He expressed his gratitude and also acknowledged his co-star Jeremy Strong, who was also nominated in the same category.

Adrien Brody came back to the Oscars stage to win Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, marking his first nomination since 2003. He shared his reflections on the fragility of acting and expressed a desire for a more inclusive world.

Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez, a musical about a gender-changing drug lord. She highlighted her family’s immigrant background and the significance of her achievement as the first American of Dominican heritage to win an Academy Award.

In a touching moment, the ceremony opened with a tribute to firefighters from Los Angeles, recognizing their bravery after the recent wildfires. The film Wicked won two Oscars for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design, with Paul Tazewell making history as the first black man to win for costume design.

Other notable awards included Best Animated Film for Flow and Best International Film for I’m Still Here, which tells a powerful true story involving a missing congressman. The documentary award went to No Other Land, a collaborative effort by Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, who spoke about the strength of their shared voices.

Musical performances included a medley from Wicked and a special tribute to James Bond featuring various artists. Overall, the night was a celebration of talent, diversity, and the resilience of the film industry.

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