2025 Critics Choice Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Film and Television
A Night of Triumph and Tributes
The 2025 Critics Choice Awards officially kicked off the award season, bringing together Hollywood’s finest to honor outstanding achievements in film and television. Despite initial delays caused by the Los Angeles wildfires, the ceremony took place in Santa Monica, with comedian Chelsea Handler delivering a charismatic and humorous hosting performance. The event showcased a competitive lineup of nominees, with films like “Wicked” and “Conclave” leading the pack with 11 nominations each. However, it was “Anora” that surprised audiences by taking home the prestigious Best Picture award, marking a triumphant night for Sean Baker’s New York City-set masterpiece.
Stellar Performances and Surprising Wins in Film Categories
The film categories saw a mix of established stars and rising talents vying for top honors. Adrien Brody claimed the Best Actor award for his compelling performance in “The Brutalist”, while Demi Moore took home Best Actress for her riveting portrayal in “The Substance”. In the supporting categories, Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain”, and Zoe Saldana earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez”. The Best Acting Ensemble award went to “Conclave”, recognizing the film’s exceptional collective performance.
Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” emerged victorious in the directing category, while Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” received the Best Original Screenplay award. “Conclave” secured Best Adapted Screenplay, further cementing its place among the night’s top winners. Technical excellence was also celebrated, with Jarin Blaschke winning Best Cinematography for “Nosferatu” and Nathan Crowley taking home Best Production Design for “Wicked”.
Television Excellence Takes Center Stage
For television, Hulu’s historical epic “Shōgun” continued its dominance, earning four wins from its six nominations. The series claimed Best Drama Series, with Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, respectively. Moeka Hoshi also received Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the same show. Kathy Bates won Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in “Matlock”, bringing her the accolades for her powerful performance.
In the comedy realm, “Hacks” proved unstoppable, winning Best Comedy Series. Jean Smart took Best Actress in a Comedy Series, while Paul W. Downs earned Best Supporting Actor and Hannah Einbinder secured Best Supporting Actress for their roles in the series. The Limited Series category saw “Baby Reindeer” as the standout winner, with Colin Farrell and Jessica Gunning taking home acting awards for their performances in “The Penguin” and “Baby Reindeer”, respectively.
Music, Comedy, and International Flair
The ceremony also highlighted excellence in music and comedy. “Emilia Pérez” earned Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song for “El Mal”, performed by Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross won Best Score for “Challengers”. In the comedy specials, Ali Wong triumphed with “Single Lady”, while “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.” claimed Best Talk Show. “Squid Game” and “X-Men ’97” dominated the international and animated series categories, respectively.
A Night of Laughter, Tears, and Inspiration
Chelsea Handler’s sharp wit and engaging humor kept the audience entertained, seamlessly transitioning between segments. The night also featured heartfelt acceptance speeches, with winners expressing gratitude to their teams, families, and mentors. The 2025 Critics Choice Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also highlighted the collective brilliance of the entertainment industry. As the ceremony concluded, it set the tone for an exciting award season ahead, promising more thrilling moments as the year progresses.
