The 98th Academy Awards concluded with a powerful statement about the kind of cinema that resonated most strongly in 2025. In a year filled with politically charged stories and bold filmmaking, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s biggest winner.
The film took home the Best Picture award, while Anderson also received the Oscar for Best Director. Together, the victories cemented the film’s place as the defining cinematic achievement of the year.
A Film About Revolution and Responsibility
One Battle After Another stood out during the awards season for its layered storytelling and philosophical themes. The film explores the tension between action and responsibility, suggesting that societies require both those who fight revolutions and those who quietly maintain the everyday structures of life.
The narrative follows characters caught in political turmoil, balancing personal relationships with larger ideological struggles. Rather than presenting clear heroes and villains, the film moves through moral grey areas, allowing its characters to exist in complex emotional spaces.
This nuanced approach appears to have resonated strongly with Academy voters.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction brings a calm, reflective tone to a story dealing with intense political and social themes. Instead of presenting a simplistic view of conflict, the film focuses on the human emotions that exist within it.
The film’s characters also contributed significantly to its impact. Among them are Perfidia, played by Teyana Taylor, the eccentric Bob portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, the unpredictable Colonel Lockjaw played by Sean Penn, and Sensei St Carlos, portrayed by Benicio del Toro.
Another standout character is Willa, played by Chase Infiniti. During his acceptance speech, Anderson described Willa as the emotional centre of the film, highlighting how the character represents the heart of the story.
Sinners Leave a Strong Mark on the Night
Although One Battle After Another claimed the top honor, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners also played a major role in the awards ceremony.
The film, widely praised for its bold storytelling and political commentary, examines themes of historical injustice, cultural appropriation, and systemic inequality. Set against a genre-blending backdrop of action, horror, and drama, Sinners captured the attention of both audiences and critics.
Its passionate storytelling and powerful imagery turned it into one of the most talked-about films of the year.
Coogler received the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, while Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his performance in the film. Their victories reinforced the film’s impact and highlighted the growing influence of Black filmmakers and performers in Hollywood.
While One Battle After Another is defined by its quiet complexity, Sinners stands out for its intensity and emotional power. If Anderson’s film explores the ashes left behind by past struggles, Coogler’s film represents the fire that ignites new ones.
A Surprising Outcome for Marty Supreme
Another film that had generated significant awards-season buzz was Marty Supreme. In the months leading up to the Oscars, the film was widely discussed as a potential major contender.
However, despite the attention it received during the campaign period, the film ultimately walked away without any major wins.
This outcome may come as a disappointment for Timothée Chalamet, who delivered a performance that required both intensity and vulnerability. His portrayal of the ambitious and often difficult character Marty pushed the boundaries of traditional leading roles.
Many observers believe the young actor will have many more opportunities in the future to secure an Academy Award.
Ethan Hawke’s Performance Earns Praise
Among the performances widely admired during this awards season was Ethan Hawke’s role in Blue Moon.
In the film, Hawke portrays lyricist Lorenz Hart, presenting a complex portrait of a brilliant yet troubled artist. The character balances confidence and insecurity, talent and self-destruction.
The film’s visual style emphasises Hart’s emotional isolation, even adjusting the frame to make Hawke appear physically smaller, reflecting the insecurities the character carried throughout his life.
Though the film did not dominate the awards ceremony, Hawke’s performance was widely praised for its emotional depth.
Jessie Buckley Wins Best Actress
The Best Actress category saw Jessie Buckley take home the award for her performance in Hamnet.
Buckley has steadily built a reputation as one of the most compelling performers of her generation, and Hamnet marked her arrival in a leading role on the biggest stage in cinema.
Set within a Shakespearean context, the film explores themes of grief, creativity, and family. Buckley’s performance stood out for its emotional intensity and command of the screen.
Her win represents a significant milestone in a career that has already delivered several memorable performances.
International Cinema Celebrated
The Best International Feature Film award went to Sentimental Value, a Norwegian film that focuses on family relationships and the emotional ties between parents and children.
The film was praised for its performances and its portrayal of a home that becomes almost a character in its own right within the story.
Although it received multiple acting nominations, the film did not secure wins in those categories.
Another international film, The Secret Agent from Brazil, had also generated strong attention during the awards season but ultimately did not secure a major award.
A Night Reflecting the World’s Complexities
This year’s Oscars reflected a broader cultural moment, with many nominated films exploring themes of political conflict, identity and social change.
In the end, One Battle After Another captured the spirit of the moment with its thoughtful examination of revolution and responsibility.
The film’s victory suggests that cinema continues to offer a space where complex ideas can be explored through storytelling.
As the curtain closed on the 98th Academy Awards, the message from the night was clear: the most powerful films are often the ones that dare to question the world around them.
