The Oscars 2025: A Ceremony Struggling to Meet Expectations

The Academy Awards have long been regarded as the highest honor in film. Each year, the Oscars honor outstanding performances both on and behind the scenes, recognizing the artistry and creativity that bring films to life. From a range of technical and writing categories to the prestigious Best Picture award, the Academy celebrates the dedication of filmmakers and actors alike. However, while controversy often surrounds the Oscars, this year’s ceremony felt especially contentious. Both the event and its winners highlighted ongoing issues within the Academy, with audiences questioning the fairness of its choices and the award show’s failure to entertain a modern audience.

Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo began the night with a beautiful mashup of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Home,” and “Defying Gravity.” The pair enchanted the live audience and viewers at home alike as they embodied the essence of their iconic characters from the Land of Oz. Host Conan O’Brien followed with a musical monologue of his own, incorporating symbols and characters from the year’s biggest films. While O’Brien’s performance left much to be desired, his witty commentary throughout the night helped keep the energy alive as he poked fun at the A-list audience. Notably, O’Brien omitted any political jokes, focusing instead on light, non-controversial humor—a choice that some viewers saw as a missed opportunity. Still, the strong opening and O’Brien’s efforts to build a lively atmosphere set the stage for an unforgettable night, a promise that ultimately was not delivered. 

As the ceremony progressed, the show introduced a James Bond musical interlude featuring actress and dancer Margaret Qualley as the quintessential “Bond Girl.” Though Qualley’s performance was undoubtedly incredible, the tribute’s timing felt somewhat misplaced and irrelevant given that no new Bond films are on the horizon. Adding to the confusion, Doja Cat, Raye, and Lisa (of BLACKPINK) performed covers of popular Bond songs despite having no prior connection to the franchise or the Oscars themselves. 

The sense of disconnection continued with the awards themselves. Anora swept the Oscars, winning five out of six of its nominations. The film took home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Leading Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Though Mikey Madison’s win for Best Leading Actress was well-deserved, the category felt evenly matched for the first time in years; Erivo (Wicked) and Demi Moore (The Substance) also gave career-defining performances in their respective films and could easily have taken home the award. Many viewers at home were understandably devastated when Moore lost, sparking an outcry towards the marginalization of older actresses prevalent in the industry. 

In stark contrast, Best Leading Actor sparked outrage online when Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) took home the Oscar despite having a weaker performance than his younger contemporaries. Audiences felt Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) was more deserving for his brilliant performance as a young Bob Dylan, drawing comparisons to a young Leonardo Dicaprio. Brody, who holds the record for youngest Best Leading Actor at age 29, seemed an unlikely winner, especially given that his performances had used artificial intelligence to enhance his Hungarian pronunciation, despite the Academy’s commitment to anti-AI practices. 

Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) won Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively—neither of which came as a surprise, as both were predicted frontrunners. However, Emilia Pérez sparked outrage over its portrayal of Mexican culture and the surrounding controversy of its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón. While many viewers acknowledged Saldaña’s talent, they expressed their disappointment that this was the film she was being recognized for. 

With another award season coming and going, the 2025 Academy Awards certainly generated engagement, but not in the way the Academy had likely hoped. The evening felt more like a routine obligation than an unforgettable celebration of cinema. Even the ceremony’s attempts at spectacle—the Bond tribute and pop star cameos—felt out of step with the current film landscape. As the night unfolded, it was evident that the Oscars is in need of a major overhaul in its approach to keep up with the evolving expectations of today’s audience.