The 2025 Critics Choice Awards celebrated the best in film and television, with 'Anora' winning Best Picture. Demi Moore and Adrien Brody took top acting honors. The event, hosted by Chelsea Handler, was marked by standout fashion moments and references to recent wildfires.
The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards took place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, celebrating the year's achievements in film and television. The event, hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler, was delayed due to the Los Angeles wildfires, which added a somber note to the proceedings. Despite the delay, the awards ceremony was a star-studded affair, with notable attendees and winners making headlines.
The film 'Anora' emerged as the big winner, taking home the Best Picture award. Directed by Sean Baker, 'Anora' is a tale of an exotic dancer's romance with a Russian heir. Despite entering the race with seven nominations, it only secured the Best Picture award. Meanwhile, Demi Moore won Best Actress for her role in 'The Substance,' and Adrien Brody was awarded Best Actor for 'The Brutalist.' Jon M. Chu won Best Director for 'Wicked,' a win that surprised many given his Oscar snub. 'Wicked' also won awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design [1] [2].
In the television categories, 'Shōgun' led the night with four awards, including Best Drama Series. Hiroyuki Sanada won Best Actor in a Drama Series, while his co-stars Tadanobu Asano and Moeka Hoshi took home awards for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively. 'Hacks' also had a successful night, winning Best Comedy Series, with Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder winning Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series [3] [4].
The Critics Choice Awards also set the stage for fashion trends, with cutout dresses being a prominent choice among attendees. Stars like Demi Moore and Caitriona Balfe embraced the trend, showcasing intricate designs with lace inserts and sheer paneling. Host Chelsea Handler addressed the recent wildfires and thanked first responders, while also infusing humor into the event with her monologue. The ceremony included political statements, with winners like Michael Urie and Hannah Einbinder using their acceptance speeches to address issues such as trans rights and climate change [5] [6].
The 2025 Critics Choice Awards highlighted the year's top achievements in film and television, with 'Anora' and 'Shōgun' standing out as major winners. The event also reflected current social issues, with speeches addressing climate change and trans rights. Fashion played a significant role, setting trends for the upcoming awards season. Despite challenges posed by the wildfires, the ceremony successfully celebrated excellence in the entertainment industry.
"I’m going to win that Oscar!" - Jon M. Chu
"They’re going through some hard times. We lost a thousand theaters during Covid — we lose them almost daily." - Sean Baker