Everything You Need To Know About The 2025 Oscars
Anora Was The Big Winner
At the 2025 Oscars – hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien, after two back-to-back years of Jimmy Kimmel – there was one clear winner: Sean Baker’s indie flick Anora. The film, which centres around sex worker Ani, who marries a Russian oligarch’s son in New York, took home five awards, including Best Director, Best Editing and Best Original Screenplay for Baker, alongside the ceremony’s top award, Best Picture – beating The Brutalist, Conclave and A Complete Unknown. The film’s lead, Mikey Madison – who until this film was best known as one of the Manson family followers in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, also took home Best Actress. Baker’s success marked a historic moment, tying with Walt Disney’s record for winning four Oscars in one night. The film’s success saw its awards season journey come full circle, as Anora won the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival last May.
The Acting Prizes Evened Out
After a long hiatus from the spotlight, Demi Moore made a brilliant return at this year’s Golden Globes, clinching the award for Best Actress for her role in The Substance. The film, which explores themes of body horror and self-reinvention, saw Moore portray a woman who exchanges her ageing body for a younger version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley). Since then, it’s been a two-horse race between Moore and Anora star Madison. Following last night’s ceremony, the final tally sees Madison take home the Best Actress award at the Oscars, Independent Spirit Awards and Baftas, and Moore the same for the SAGs, Critics’ Choice Awards and Golden Globes. We’ve loved watching them root for each other over the course of the season.
As he did at the Golden Globes, Adrien Brody triumphed over Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown’s Timothée Chalamet to win Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, a three-hour and 35-minute drama about a Hungarian architect who builds a new life in the US after WWII. Like Moore and Madison, voting had been split across this year’s award ceremonies. Just last week, Chalamet gave an earnest, heartfelt speech about wanting to be one of the acting greats of his generation as he picked up his Best Actor award at the SAGs. But it was Brody who took home the statuette last night, earning him his second Oscar. He won his first for The Pianist in 2003. The Brutalist also took home awards for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.
Zoe Saldaña continued her winning streak for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. A Spanish-language musical about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes a gender transition (played by trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón), the film dominated the Golden Globes with multiple wins back in January. Since then, however, a series of controversial tweets by Gascón have been unearthed, effectively derailing the film’s awards momentum. Having won four Golden Globes, the film took home just two wins at the Oscars – Best Original Song alongside Saldaña’s acting prize – despite being nominated in a near-record 13 categories.
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It Was Another Year Of Firsts
As huge Succession fans, we couldn’t help but be thrilled for Kieran Culkin, who won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain. A black comedy that follows two Americans as they travel to Poland to honour their late grandma, Culkin was the heart of the film – and his multifaceted take on the role saw him dominate in every awards ceremony, beating his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong along the way. Meanwhile, Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked. Despite both being nominated in the acting categories, no one was expecting the musical’s stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to win big this year. But we were still pleased to see them nail ‘Defying Gravity’ on the night.
Elsewhere, Conclave took home the award for Best Adapted Screenplay; The Substance won for Best Make-Up & Hairstyling; Dune: Part II surprised no one by winning Best Sound; in a bold moment, the filmmakers of No Other Land used their Best Documentary Feature acceptance speech to address political matters, calling for justice in Palestine; and Flow won Best Animated Feature.
SL’s Pick Of The Best Dressed
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Lupita Nyong’o
Wearing: Chanel
Why We Loved It: Lupita always nails it on the red carpet. While some went for drama and colour, she pared things back with a corseted, peal-embellished number, and a matching bow.
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Halle Berry
Wearing: Christian Siriano
Why We Loved It: Halle Berry’s mirrored Siriano gown was pure red-carpet glamour. The structured, strapless bodice gave way to a column skirt covered in fragmented silver embellishments, creating a shattered-glass effect. With sleek waves and minimal jewellery, the look was futuristic, bold and unforgettable.
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Emma Stone
Wearing: Louis Vuitton
Why We Loved It: An awards-season favourite, Emma Stone shimmered in a Louis Vuitton dress covered in cascading paillettes. The minimalist silhouette, combined with a high neckline, allowed the textural details to shine. With her auburn pixie cut and dewy make-up, this look felt effortless and elegant.
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Raye
Wearing: Vivienne Westwood
Why We Loved It: Raye paid homage to old Hollywood glamour in custom Vivienne Westwood. The off-the-shoulder neckline and expertly draped fabric created a statuesque silhouette, while the deep red hue, matching jewellery and vintage curls added to the classic allure.
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Raffey Cassidy
Wearing: Loewe
Why We Loved It: Raffey’s one-shoulder Loewe dress was accented by a dramatic, oversized bow detail, adding an element of whimsy to the otherwise streamlined silhouette. Teamed with centre-parted hair and diamond earrings, it made for an understated yet impactful moment
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Monica Barbaro
Wearing: Dior
Why We Loved It: Classic, feminine and elegant, Monica Barbaro’s Dior dress was a true red-carpet standout. The structured satin skirt was beautifully contrasted by a delicate beaded bralette, adding a touch of modernity to the look. With soft, undone hair and simple jewellery, she kept the focus on the impeccable craftsmanship of the dress.
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Ariana Grande
Wearing: Schiaparelli
Why We Loved It: Bringing all the high-fashion fantasy to the Oscars, Ariana wore a couture Schiaparelli gown. The sculptural bodice featured a corset-like structure with curved detailing, which cascaded into a glittering tulle skirt. Her signature high pony was also swapped for a slicked-back updo.
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Cynthia Erivo
Wearing: Louis Vuitton
Why We Loved It: Pure couture elegance, this deep emerald-green velvet dress featured exaggerated off-the-shoulder sleeves and a sculptural neckline. With a voluminous skirt and structured bodice, the look was equal parts regal and avant-garde – a perfect homage to Cynthia’s Wicked role.
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Stacy Martin
Wearing: Louis Vuitton
Why We Loved It: In true Louis Vuitton style, this custom dress struck the perfect balance between elegant and cool. We loved how the sheer, embellished body graduated into a voluminous hem which gave the whole look a more modern feel, complemented by a deep v neckline and minimal jewellery.
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Selena Gomez
Wearing: Ralph Lauren (red carpet) Custom Armani Privé (afterparty)
Why We Loved It: Selena Gomez has had a great awards season fashion-wise. The Emilia Perez star started the night in custom Ralph Lauren that was hand-embroidered with crystals and over 16,000 ‘drops of glass’ embellishments. Later, she slipped into something sultrier – a strapless black Armani Privé gown.
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Yasmin Finney
Wearing: Harris Reed
Why We Loved It: While we’ll admit we’re probably biased to British designers, we’d also go as far as to say this was one of the most striking looks of the night. Wearing a custom Harris Reed gown, the sculpted black velvet was elevated by architectural detailing at the neckline and a bold, feathered headpiece that added instant drama.
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Hailee Steinfeld
Wearing: Tamara Ralph Couture
Why We Loved It: This structured pearl-encrusted column silhouette exuded timeless glamour, while the oversized black opera coat felt perfect for an afterparty. With sleek waves and diamond drop earrings, it was all about sophistication – proof that monochrome can still make a statement.
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Zoë Kravitz
Wearing: Custom Saint Laurent
Why We Loved It: Never one to play it safe, Zoë Kravitz delivered an afterparty look that was pure Parisian provocateur. The black Saint Laurent gown was all about daring details – strategic sheer panels, crystal embellishments and a sultry open-back design that gave the illusion of lingerie-inspired cut-outs.
For more, watch our latest panel on Oscars 2025 best dressed here.
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