Anora was the night’s big winner at the 2025 Oscars, although many fans made it clear online that The Substance’s Demi Moore deserved to scoop an Academy award for Best Actress
It was a historic night at the Oscars for the cast and crew of Anora, as the critically acclaimed dramedy took home an impressive five Academy Awards, including the coveted Best Picture and Best Actress trophies.
However, not everyone was thrilled with the results, as the film’s victories sparked debate among moviegoers and critics alike.
The film, which follows a sex worker who marries the pampered son of a Russian oligarch, solidified its place in cinematic history with wins in multiple major categories. Leading actress Mikey Madison delivered a powerhouse performance that earned her the Best Actress award in what many considered an upset victory over Demi Moore (The Substance).
The loss for Moore, whose performance had been widely praised, led to an outcry online, with one user declaring, “THE DEMI MOORE SNUB WILL BE STUDIED IN HISTORY CLASSES.”
Director Sean Baker made history by becoming the first person to win four Oscars for a single film—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
Expressing gratitude in his acceptance speech, Baker called on audiences to support independent cinemas, saying, “If we don’t reverse this trend, we’ll be losing a vital part of our culture. This is my battle cry.”
Both Baker and Madison dedicated awards to the sex workers who had inspired the film.
Yet, despite its sweeping wins, Anora left some fans questioning the Academy’s choices. One critic lamented on social media, “Anora better than Nickel Boys ? Better than Conclave ? Better than Wicked ? Better than The Substance ?” Others were particularly surprised by its win in Best Editing, with one tweet asking, Did they even watch the other movies?”
Conversely, some viewers passionately defended the decision, with one fan stating, “I’m actually so happy that a film like Anora won Editing because it’s not the kind of movie where the average person will notice it upfront. It’s chaotic and precise and so underrated.”
In addition to Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Editing, Anora also secured a win for Best Original Screenplay, making it one of the most celebrated films of the evening.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
