Forget predictable speeches and formulaic wins. Last night’s 98th Academy Awards was full of surprises, long-overdue victories, and moments that made even seasoned Hollywood insiders sit up straight. From powerhouse performances to historic milestones, this was a night we won’t be forgetting for a while.
One of the night’s most widely discussed moments came with Michael B. Jordan’s Best Actor win for Sinners. It wasn’t just that he beat out early favourite Timothée Chalamet – a result that genuinely surprised many viewers and pundits – but the content of his speech. Jordan spent significant time acknowledging the artists who came before him, highlighting performers of colour who paved the way in cinema and thanking key collaborators by name, from his director to cast members. That mix of historical awareness and personal gratitude made his speech feel like more than just thank‑yous – it was a narrative about career journey and legacy. Viewers responded strongly online, with many saying they found that blend of reflection and emotion one of the night’s most meaningful moments.
Sean Penn’s supporting win in One Battle After Another reminded viewers that veteran actors can still anchor a blockbuster with gravitas. The film itself dominated technical categories, giving men who love cinematic craftsmanship, stunts, and precise action sequences plenty to cheer about. Meanwhile, the film’s mix of explosions, fight choreography, and visual storytelling made it feel like an award show that recognised both style and true substance.
Amy Madigan’s win for Weapons and Jessie Buckley’s for Hamnet offered emotional payoff, showing the value of persistence and depth – traits that resonate beyond the screen. And yes, the Timothée Chalamet snub for Marty Supreme created online buzz, highlighting the competitive drama behind the glitz; was a reminder that Oscars still provoke debates about who deserved it most.
On the global front, KPop Demon Hunters winning Best Animated Feature and Sentimental Value taking Best International Feature were more than novelty wins. They signal a Hollywood paying attention to worldwide trends, giving audiences both fresh stories and cultural cachet.
Full Winners List
Best Picture
Winner: One Battle After Another
Nominees: Bugonia, Frankenstein, F1, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, Train Dreams
Best Actor
Winner: Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Nominees: Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon, Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
Best Actress
Winner: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Nominees: Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value, Emma Stone – Bugonia
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Nominees: Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein, Delroy Lindo – Sinners, Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Amy Madigan – Weapons
Nominees: Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value, Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners, Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Best Director
Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Nominees: Ryan Coogler – Sinners, Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme, Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value, Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
Best Animated Feature
Winner: KPop Demon Hunters
Nominees: Arco, Elio, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Zootopia 2
Best International Feature
Winner: Sentimental Value
Nominees: It Was Just an Accident, Sirât, The Secret Agent
