The Oscars 2025 were filled with drama, excitement, and a fair amount of unpredictability. While some long-standing favourites emerged victorious, other high-profile contenders came up short. In this post, I’ll break down the key moments from the 2025 Oscars, focusing on the unexpected outcomes, controversial speeches, and the continued rise of indie films.
1. Indie Films Continue to Dominate the Oscars
For several years now, independent films have been making waves at the Academy Awards, and 2025 was no different. Films like Anora ($6m budget), The Brutalist ($10m), and A Real Pain ($3m) proved that you don’t need a big-budget blockbuster to win big. This year, Oscar voters showed that they’re more than willing to back smaller productions with fresh ideas and compelling storytelling.
- Oppenheimer’s dominance last year proved that big films still matter, but the smaller films took home the majority of the top awards.
- Films with modest budgets like Coda and Parasite paved the way for a new era of filmmaking that celebrates creativity over financial power.
2. Adrien Brody Shocks with His Long Acceptance Speech
One of the most talked-about moments of the night involved Adrien Brody, who won Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist. As tradition goes, winners are expected to keep their speeches short – about 45 seconds – but Brody wasn’t having any of it.
- After being played off by the orchestra, Brody boldly asked for more time, saying, “It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief.”
- Despite his request, he went on for much longer, leaving the audience divided between admiration for his boldness and annoyance at the delayed proceedings.
This prompted countless jokes about needing an intermission and sparked debates about whether the Academy’s rules should be relaxed or enforced more strictly.
3. The Streaming Revolution Faces Technical Hiccups
The streaming era was meant to be celebrated at the 2025 Oscars. With the ceremony streamed live on Hulu for the first time, it was poised to make the Oscars more accessible than ever before. However, things didn’t go as smoothly as planned.
- Tech glitches marred the live-streaming experience, most notably when the broadcast “expired” just before Mikey Madison’s Best Actress win.
- This left viewers scrambling to switch platforms and exposed the limitations of streaming services for live events like the Oscars.
While many thought streaming would be a game-changer, the 2025 Oscars showed that it’s still not quite ready for prime time.
4. Horror Films Struggle Despite Recognition
The 2025 Oscars showed that horror films still can’t catch a break. While there was a glimmer of hope for The Substance, a body horror film, it ultimately didn’t make as big a splash as expected. The film, which had five nominations, only managed to bag one win in the Makeup and Hairstyling category.
- Star Demi Moore was tipped as a frontrunner for Best Actress, but she lost out to Mikey Madison for her performance in Anora.
- The Academy still seems hesitant to fully embrace horror, despite its increasing popularity with audiences and critics.
5. Two Fairytales Turn Into Oscar Night Nightmares
The night wasn’t without its Oscar nightmares. Both Demi Moore’s comeback story and Karla Sofía Gascón’s trailblazing nomination had unfortunate endings.
- Moore, who had been a strong contender this awards season, lost out to Madison despite a career resurgence in The Substance. Fans had hoped for a Demi Moore Oscar win, but it wasn’t to be.
- Gascón, the first transgender actor to be nominated for an Oscar, also had a disappointing night. Controversy from her past resurfaced when old racist and xenophobic tweets were unearthed, and she was left feeling like an outsider at the ceremony.
These stories were the epitome of how quickly things can go from fairytale to nightmare in the highly competitive world of the Oscars.
6. The Brits Prove Class Never Goes Out of Style
One of the most delightful elements of the night was the British winners who kept things refreshingly simple and humble. From Noah Crawley and Lee Sandales accepting their win for Best Production Design in Wicked, to Daniel Blumberg delivering a heartfelt and sincere speech for Best Original Score, the Brits managed to bring a sense of dignity and poise to the evening.
- Noah Crawley and Lee Sandales kept their speech short and sweet, even throwing in a goofy dance to the stage.
- Blumberg, known for his humility, simply read from a cue card, thanking everyone involved in the project.
These understated moments were a welcome contrast to some of the more theatrical and controversial speeches of the night.
7. Conclave’s Disappointing Night
Despite Conclave receiving significant attention earlier in the awards season, the film fell flat at the Oscars. After winning the BAFTA for Best Film and receiving the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble, it seemed poised to take home Best Picture. However, it only won Best Adapted Screenplay.
- The film’s traditional feel may have worked against it, as the Academy seems to have a preference for more innovative and diverse films.
8. Kieran Culkin’s Moment Turns Awkward
Kieran Culkin, who won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, had a bit of a misstep during his acceptance speech. He shared a long anecdote about his wife, Jazz Charton, promising him a fourth child if he won an Oscar.
- The repeated references to his wife “owing” him a child on a public stage felt uncomfortable and detracted from his win.
Culkin’s speech left many fans questioning whether some private jokes should stay, well, private.
Conclusion: A Night Full of Surprises, Triumphs, and Misses
The 2025 Oscars provided plenty of memorable moments, from indie films stealing the spotlight to awkward speeches making headlines. Whether it was Brody’s defiance of the orchestra, the streaming glitches, or the horror genre’s continued struggle, the night was full of highs and lows. While some dreamers saw their fairytale moments dashed, others made history, and indie films continued to make waves in Hollywood. Ultimately, the Oscars 2025 showed that, in the world of film, nothing is ever guaranteed.
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Photo credit: Euronews
