“Oppenheimer,” a poignant three-hour biopic that unexpectedly grossed over a billion dollars, secured the title of best picture at the 96th Academy Awards, which also served as a triumph for Christopher Nolan.
Having overlooked Nolan in previous years, the Oscars compensated by showering seven awards on his blockbuster biopic, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr., and best director for Nolan.
The Academy broke a decade-long tradition by awarding its top prize to a widely viewed, big-budget studio film.
“Oppenheimer” defied the norm, attracting audiences with its intricate portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb.
Murphy dedicated his best actor award to peacemakers, acknowledging the film’s reflection on Oppenheimer’s world.
The movie, laden with unease about mass destruction, resonated amid current global conflicts, making it a fitting choice in a year marked by wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Emma Stone clinched the tightly contested best actress category for her role in “Poor Things,” beating out Lily Gladstone, who could have been the first Native American to win an Academy Award.
While the broadcast featured glamour and a lively performance of the “Barbie” hit “I’m Just Ken,” protests and politics intruded, with demonstrations for Gaza outside the Dolby Theatre and a critical social media post from former President Donald Trump.
Nolan, long recognized in the Oscar mix for films like “Inception” and “Dunkirk,” celebrated his first Academy Award for direction, emphasizing the unpredictable journey of cinema’s century-old history.
Downey, previously nominated twice, secured his first Oscar, marking a significant achievement in his career.
“Barbie,” a major box-office success, only won for best song, contrasting with its prominent cultural presence.
Geopolitics played a role in this year’s Oscars, with protests over conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Jonathan Glazer, winning best international film for “The Zone of Interest,” drew parallels between his film’s depiction of dehumanization and present-day conflicts.
The documentary category highlighted the ongoing war in Ukraine, with “20 Days in Mariupol” winning. Mstyslav Chernov, the Ukrainian filmmaker, expressed the desire to exchange his Oscar for an end to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The early awards favored Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” winning in categories like production design, makeup and hairstyling, and costume design.
The broadcast, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, began with an emphasis on Hollywood as a “union town” after the actor and writer strikes in 2023.
The night featured predictable wins, emotional moments, and some surprises, notably Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” winning best animated feature over “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
The Oscars showcased theatrical-first films, with Netflix playing a minor role.
While historically, big movies in the mix boosted ratings, this year’s ceremony marked a departure from the streaming giant’s dominance, with only one win for Netflix in the live action short category.
