2025 Oscar Winners: Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ Claims Best Picture, Best Actress, and Brutalist Movie Acclaim

The 97th Academy Awards made history as Sean Baker’s gritty drama Anora triumphed with Best Picture and Best Actress (Mikey Madison), cementing its status as a defining "Brutalist movie" of the decade. From shocking upsets to emotional speeches, here’s your complete guide to the 2025 Oscar winners, highlights, and where to watch the groundbreaking film.

Anora: A Brutalist Masterpiece Takes the Spotlight

Sean Baker’s Anora—a raw, unflinching tale of a Brooklyn stripper navigating love and survival—became the night’s biggest winner. Critics praised its Brutalist filmmaking style, marked by stark realism and unpolished visuals, echoing Baker’s earlier works like The Florida Project. The film’s star, Mikey Madison, delivered a career-defining performance, earning her Best Actress over heavyweights like Cynthia Erivo.

“Anora isn’t just a movie; it’s a mirror held up to society,” Baker said in his acceptance speech.

2025 Oscar Winners: Full List of Key Categories

Best Picture: Anora (Sean Baker)

Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)

Best Actor: Austin Butler (The Last Ride)

Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Color of Time)

Best Director: Greta Gerwig (Chronicles of Americana)

Best Original Screenplay: Anora (Sean Baker)

Best International Film: The Quiet Valley (South Korea)

Surprise Snub: Wicked earned zero wins despite three nominations, while Timothée Chalamet missed Best Actor for A Complete Unknown.

Highlights from the 2025 Oscars

Brutalist Cinema’s Rise: Anora’s win signals a shift toward raw, minimalist storytelling.

Mikey Madison’s Emotional Speech: The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood breakout star dedicated her award to “every overlooked woman fighting to be heard.”

Wicked’s Showstopping Performance: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought the house down with a medley from the musical, though the film left empty-handed.

Host Zendaya’s Viral Moment: The Dune star roasted Hollywood’s obsession with franchises, quipping, “Next year, Best Picture goes to Barbie 3.”

Where to Watch Anora and the 2025 Oscars

Stream Anora: Available now on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Theatrical Release: Still showing in select IMAX theaters.

Relive the Oscars: Catch highlights on YouTube or full replays on Hulu.

Why Anora Resonates

The film’s stripped-down aesthetic—shot on 16mm film with natural lighting—has drawn comparisons to 1970s New Hollywood. Its Rotten Tomatoes score of 97% calls it “a triumph of empathy and authenticity.”

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Oscars celebrated bold storytelling, with Anora leading the charge. Whether you’re here for the Brutalist movie movement, Sean Baker’s genius, or Mikey Madison’s star-making turn, this year’s awards proved that raw, human stories still rule.

Missed the show? Stream the Oscars 2025 on ABC.com or dive into Anora tonight. For More..