The 2025 Academy Awards were a night of surprises and disappointments, leaving many viewers unimpressed and calling it one of the dullest Oscars ceremonies in recent memory.
Fans were quick to voice their frustrations, particularly after major upsets in key categories and what they deemed as tired political rants that seemed to drag the evening down.
Anora Shines as the Night’s Biggest Winner
The big winner of the night was Anora, which took home five major awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.
The film follows the dramatic story of a sex worker, played by Mikey Madison, who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, a union that is met with fierce disapproval from his family.
Madison’s Best Actress win was one of the biggest surprises of the night, especially since she beat out Demi Moore, who was considered the frontrunner for her role in The Substance.
The upset sparked an outpouring of frustration on social media, with many calling it one of the biggest “snubs” in Oscars history.
Big Surprises and Memes: Chalamet’s Loss and Brody’s Second Win
Timothée Chalamet, who had been campaigning hard for his performance in A Complete Unknown, was also upset when he lost to Adrien Brody, who won his second Oscar for The Brutalist.
Fans were quick to joke that Chalamet fell victim to the so-called “Kardashian curse” after he brought girlfriend Kylie Jenner to the ceremony, a superstition that claims men who date Kardashians face career setbacks.
Political Rants Fall Flat Amidst the Dull Ceremony
The Oscars have long been a platform for political statements, but this year’s edition was criticized for its lackluster delivery.
Oscar-winning director Basel Adra, who won Best Documentary for No Other Land, used his acceptance speech to criticize U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine.
However, his speech was met with heckling, and the political tone of the night didn’t seem to energize the audience.
Even host Conan O’Brien, known for his comedic style, couldn’t resist taking a jab at Trump, poking fun at Anora’s success by saying, “I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.”
This joke, along with others throughout the evening, felt forced and failed to capture the spirit of past Oscars.
Awkward Moments and Personal Drama
The night also had its share of awkward moments, particularly concerning Karla Sofía Gascón, whose controversial tweets had resurfaced during the awards season.
As Zoe Saldana accepted her Best Supporting Actress award for Emilia Pérez, she gave a heartfelt thank you to her cast and crew but notably did not mention Gascón by name, creating a noticeable tension in the room.
In another moment of drama, the Oscars broadcast was interrupted for Hulu viewers, causing outrage as the stream cut out just before the final award of the night.
Fans demanded compensation, with some even threatening to cancel their subscriptions.
A Long and Tedious Night with Few Highlights
Critics and viewers alike found themselves unimpressed by the ceremony’s pacing.
With the show stretching close to four hours, many described it as “boring” and “too long.”
Some online comments summed it up: “The only time the Oscars were exciting was when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.”
A-List Drama: Edward Norton’s Foul-Mouthed Reaction and Adrien Brody’s Gum Toss
Oscar nominees weren’t immune to controversy either. Edward Norton, who lost Best Supporting Actor to Kieran Culkin, appeared to curse when his loss was announced, a moment quickly captured by cameras.
Later in the night, Adrien Brody faced criticism for his actions while accepting his second Best Actor Oscar.
As he made his way to the stage, he threw gum to his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, a move that many viewers found distasteful.
Kamala Harris and Adam Sandler’s Surprising Moments
Speculation that former vice president Kamala Harris would appear at the ceremony was quickly quashed when her husband posted a photo of her enjoying a quiet evening at home.
Meanwhile, Adam Sandler made headlines when he stormed out of the Oscars after a joke from Conan O’Brien about his casual attire.
Sandler, in his typical fashion, didn’t hold back and left the show, giving Chalamet a kiss on his way out.
A Night to Forget?
Despite the dramatic moments, the 2025 Oscars lacked the excitement and energy that have often defined the event.
The overall consensus from viewers was clear: it was a night full of controversy and mishaps but very little memorable entertainment.
As the evening ended, many were left feeling that the ceremony simply couldn’t live up to its previous hype.