Oscars 2025: *Anora* Dominates the Academy Awards, Taking Home Five Oscars Including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress

Sean Baker’s Anora Sweeps the 97th Academy Awards, Winning Five Oscars Including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress

At the 97th Academy Awards, Anora, the internationally praised film by Sean Baker, made a clean sweep, taking home five Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture, Best Director for Baker, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison’s unforgettable performance. The Best Picture category this year was particularly competitive, with Anora going head-to-head with a range of high-profile contenders such as Emilia Pérez, The Brutalist, Conclave, A Complete Unknown, and The Substance.

A Contested Best Picture Race: Anora vs. Conclave

Despite Anora’s impressive wins, questions remain about its victory in the Best Picture race, with Conclave, an intense political thriller, emerging as a serious challenger. Directed by [insert director], Conclave centers on the high-stakes election of a new pope within the Catholic Church. Adapted from Robert Harris' 2016 novel, the film garnered critical acclaim and took home four BAFTAs, including Best Film, along with two Golden Globe Awards.

Both Anora and Conclave claimed screenplay honors at the Oscars, with Anora winning Best Original Screenplay, while Conclave secured the award for Best Adapted Screenplay, written by Peter Straughan.

The Heart of Anora: A Story of Love and Struggle

Anora tells the heart-wrenching story of a Brooklyn sex worker who finds herself in a whirlwind romance and marriage to the son of a powerful Russian oligarch. The film was hailed for its raw and emotionally charged narrative, with Madison’s performance drawing critical acclaim for its depth and authenticity.

The film, an indie gem, had already made waves at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Palme d’Or, solidifying its place as a frontrunner for this year’s Best Picture. Anora also earned recognition across multiple prestigious industry events, winning at the Critics Choice Awards, the Directors Guild, the Producers Guild, and the Writers Guild awards.

The Battle for Best Picture: A Recap of Recent Winners

The Best Picture category at the Oscars remains one of the most fiercely contested each year. Recent winners have included a diverse array of films, showcasing the range and depth of storytelling that the Academy has recognized over the past few years. The most recent Best Picture winners were:

• Oppenheimer
• Everything Everywhere All at Once
• CODA
• Nomadland
• Parasite

A Night to Remember: Conan O'Brien Hosts the 97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with comedian and TV host Conan O'Brien stepping in as the host for the first time. His presence brought a unique energy to the ceremony, providing plenty of comedic moments while honoring the year’s most outstanding cinematic achievements.

As Anora dominates this year’s Oscars, the debate about its Best Picture win—particularly in light of Conclave’s success in other categories—will continue to be a hot topic in the lead-up to the 2025 film season. However, Anora’s remarkable journey from Cannes to the Academy Awards has firmly cemented its place in Oscar history.