The 96th Academy Awards delivered a night of cinematic triumph, punctuated by a few unexpected twists and turns. Christopher Nolan’s atomic epic, “Oppenheimer,” lived up to its hype, sweeping multiple major awards. Yet, the biggest surprise of the night came in the Best Actress category, where Emma Stone pulled off a stunning victory for her haunting performance in “Poor Things.”
Oppenheimer’s Oscar Domination
As predicted, “Oppenheimer” proved an unstoppable force. The film, a meticulously crafted biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, earned Best Picture and landed Christopher Nolan a long-awaited Best Director Oscar. Cillian Murphy also secured his first Academy Award, taking home the Best Actor statuette for his nuanced portrayal of the conflicted scientist.
Adding to the film’s haul, “Oppenheimer” won for Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score. Its technical brilliance and morally complex narrative solidified its place as a modern classic and an Oscar powerhouse.
Emma Stone’s Unexpected Triumph
While “Oppenheimer” dominated the evening, the Best Actress category delivered the night’s greatest shock. Emma Stone, widely considered an outside contender, emerged victorious for her portrayal of Bella Baxter in Yorgos Lanthimos’s darkly comedic “Poor Things.”
Stone’s win marked a dramatic upset against pre-Oscars favorites like Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”) and Annette Bening (“Nyad”). Her performance as a rebellious, resurrected woman in Victorian society was both captivating and deeply unsettling, proving the Academy’s willingness to reward bold choices.
Social Commentary on the Oscar Stage
The 2024 Oscars were not without their moments of social commentary. Jonathan Glazer, winner of Best International Feature Film for “The Zone of Interest,” passionately condemned the ongoing Gaza conflict in his acceptance speech. His urgent call for an end to the violence resonated throughout the Dolby Theatre and beyond.
Additionally, Ukraine’s harrowing war documentary, “20 Days in Mariupol,” clinched the Best Documentary Feature award. The film’s raw and unflinching look at the besieged city served as a stark reminder of the global conflicts that continue to rage.
Other Notable Wins
Robert Downey Jr. added to his awards collection with a Best Supporting Actor win for his sharp turn as the morally ambiguous Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer.” Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s heartwarming performance in “The Holdovers” earned her the Best Supporting Actress statue.
Martin Scorsese’s much-discussed “Killers of the Flower Moon” was shut out of the major categories, managing a win in Best Adapted Screenplay. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” initially dismissed by some as a frivolous project, surprised critics, collecting a few technical awards and a Best Original Song win for Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”
Full Winners List (Major Categories)
- Best Picture: Oppenheimer
- Best Director: Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
- Best Actor: Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
- Best Actress: Emma Stone (Poor Things)
- Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
- Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Killers of the Flower Moon
- Best Original Screenplay: Anatomy of a Fall
- Best International Feature Film: The Zone of Interest
- Best Documentary Feature: 20 Days in Mariupol … [Include remaining categories]
The 2024 Oscars: A Night of Surprises and Cinematic Excellence
The 96th Academy Awards will be remembered for its blend of expected victories and thrilling upsets. “Oppenheimer” cemented its status as an instant classic, while Emma Stone’s win reaffirmed the Academy’s appreciation for unconventional performances. With moments of social reflection woven throughout the evening, the 2024 Oscars proved a celebration of both artistic achievement and the power of cinema to ignite conversation
