The 2025 Oscars Best Picture: A Diverse and Bold Lineup

The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, crowned Anora as Best Picture in a fiercely competitive race. The ten nominees—Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked—offered a thrilling mix of indie gems, epic blockbusters, and genre-defying stories. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony celebrated cinema’s diversity and risk-taking. Here’s a look at the winner, the nominees, and why this lineup captivated audiences.

The Winner: Anora

Directed by Sean Baker, Anora follows Ani (Mikey Madison), a Brooklyn sex worker whose impulsive marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son sparks chaos. The film’s blend of raucous comedy, raw drama, and social commentary earned it the Palme d’Or at Cannes and key precursor awards from the Producers Guild and Directors Guild. With five Oscars, including Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay, Anora was praised for its kinetic energy and Madison’s breakout performance. Critics like Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called it “a triumph of American indie cinema,” though some X users felt Conclave or The Brutalist offered deeper themes.

The Nominees: A Spectrum of Stories

The 2025 lineup was a testament to cinema’s range, tackling immigration, identity, oppression, and ambition through varied lenses. Here’s a snapshot of the contenders:

• The Brutalist: Brady Corbet’s 215-minute epic about a Hungarian-Jewish architect (Adrien Brody) in post-war America landed ten nominations and three wins, including Best Actor. Its ambitious scope was a critical darling, though its length divided voters.

• A Complete Unknown: James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic, starring Timothée Chalamet, earned eight nominations but no wins. Chalamet’s electric performance was lauded, though some felt the film leaned too conventional.

• Conclave: Roland Joffé’s papal thriller, led by Ralph Fiennes, won Best Adapted Screenplay from eight nominations. Its sharp script and late SAG Award surge made it a strong contender.

• Dune: Part Two: Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi sequel, with Chalamet and Zendaya, won Best Visual Effects and Best Sound from five nominations. Its spectacle impressed, but narrative depth was debated.

• Emilia Pérez: Jacques Audiard’s musical about a trans cartel leader led with 13 nominations, winning Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña. Controversy and mixed reviews hurt its chances.

• I’m Still Here: Brazil’s drama about a family under dictatorship won Best International Feature. Fernanda Torres’ performance and three nominations marked it as a poignant surprise.

• Nickel Boys: RaMell Ross’ adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel used innovative visuals to depict a brutal reform school. It earned two nominations but no wins, despite critical acclaim.

• The Substance: Coralie Fargeat’s body-horror satire, starring Demi Moore, won Best Makeup and Hairstyling from five nominations. Its feminist edge and Moore’s fearless performance gained a cult following.

• Wicked: Jon M. Chu’s musical, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, secured ten nominations and won Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Its dazzling spectacle was a fan favorite, though its incomplete story limited its edge.

What Made 2025 Special

Unlike 2024’s Oppenheimer-led race, 2025 was unpredictable, with Anora, Conclave, The Brutalist, and Emilia Pérez trading precursor wins. The nominees spanned genres—horror (The Substance), musicals (Wicked), and experimental dramas (Nickel Boys)—reflecting the Academy’s embrace of bold voices. Themes of identity, systemic injustice, and resilience resonated, as noted by The New Yorker, though some critics, like Catherine Shoard of The Guardian, questioned Anora’s sweep over The Brutalist’s gravitas. X and Reddit posts revealed a split audience, with fans championing Conclave’s intelligence or Wicked’s spectacle.

A Lasting Impact

Anora’s victory, following indie wins like Parasite, signals the Academy’s continued support for original storytelling. The 2025 race, set against Hollywood’s post-strike recovery and wildfire challenges, underscored cinema’s power to provoke and unite. This diverse lineup will be remembered as a high-water mark for creative ambition.