The 98th Academy Awards delivered a historic night for filmmaking, with Paul Thomas Anderson finally claiming his first Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “One Battle After Another.” The evening also saw Ryan Coogler honored with the award for Best Original Screenplay for “The Sinners,” marking a significant achievement for both directors. The awards underscored a night of recognition for compelling storytelling and exceptional cinematic craft.
“One Battle After Another” dominated the awards conversation leading up to the ceremony, securing wins at the Baftas, Golden Globes, César Awards, Critics Choice Awards, the Directors Guild Award, and the Producers Guild Award. The film, based on Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, received a total of 13 nominations, a record for the evening. Despite “The Sinners” winning the award for Best Actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Anderson’s long-awaited victory proved decisive.
Anderson’s win is particularly poignant given his previous 14 nominations without a win, placing him among only two filmmakers – Bradley Cooper (12 nominations) – to have been nominated so many times without taking home an Oscar. The Academy seemingly corrected this oversight, recognizing Anderson’s masterful adaptation and direction. The Hollywood Reporter gave Anderson a 65.9% probability of winning Best Director, using a mathematical model based on previous awards.
A Triumph for “The Sinners” and Ryan Coogler
While “One Battle After Another” was a major force, Ryan Coogler’s “The Sinners” also enjoyed significant success, securing the award for Best Original Screenplay. The film, which garnered a record 16 nominations, proved unstoppable in this category, solidifying Coogler’s position as a leading voice in contemporary cinema.
Key Wins and Surprises of the Night
The acting categories also delivered compelling results. Jessie Buckley was recognized as Best Actress for her performance in “Hamnet,” having swept the awards season leading up to the Oscars, with The Hollywood Reporter giving her an 89.3% chance of winning. Michael B. Jordan took home the award for Best Actor for his dual role in “The Sinners,” overcoming competition from Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”) and Leonardo DiCaprio.
In the supporting categories, Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of an ICE chief in “One Battle After Another,” adding another win for the critically acclaimed film. Wunmi Mosaku was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Sinners,” though the race was considered close, with Teyana Taylor (“One Battle After Another”) having previously won the Golden Globe for her performance.
The Inaugural Best Casting Award
This year’s ceremony marked a historic moment with the introduction of the Best Casting award, recognizing the crucial role casting directors play in filmmaking. Cassandra Kulukundis, the casting director for “One Battle After Another,” received the inaugural award, highlighting the film’s exceptional ensemble cast, which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. The category, officially announced in 2024, was presented by a “Fab Five” of Paul Mescal, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chase Infiniti, Wagner Moura, and Delroy Lindo, who lauded the nominees’ contributions.
The Academy’s decision to add this category acknowledges a long-standing request from casting directors, who have argued for recognition of their essential role in bringing films to life. This is the first new category added since the introduction of Best Animated Feature in 2001.
As the dust settles on the 98th Academy Awards, the industry now looks ahead to the next season, anticipating the stories and filmmakers that will shape the future of cinema. The success of both “One Battle After Another” and “The Sinners” signals a continued appreciation for ambitious, thought-provoking storytelling.
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