“One Battle After Another” Dominates the 98th Oscars

The 98th Academy Awards, held Sunday night in Los Angeles, reflected a film industry that is increasingly comfortable rewarding ambitious original storytelling while also acknowledging long-overdue talent.

The ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second consecutive year, blended humor, political commentary, and several historic milestones.

One Battle After Another Dominates Oscars

The night belonged to Paul Thomas Anderson . His film One Battle After Another emerged as the clear winner, taking six Academy Awards including best picture and best director.

The sweeping drama about authoritarianism and civic resistance has been widely interpreted as a reflection of contemporary political anxieties, and Anderson used his acceptance speeches to strike a reflective tone about the world being handed to the next generation.

The win also marked a career milestone for Anderson, whose films have long been critically celebrated but rarely rewarded at the Oscars’ highest levels.

Sinners Also a Big Winner

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners followed closely behind with four wins. The film, a visually bold period horror story examining African American identity and generational trauma, earned Coogler his first Oscar for original screenplay.

Michael B. Jordan delivered one of the night’s most memorable victories, winning best actor for his dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. His win marked the first time an Oscar has been awarded for a dual role performance.

The ceremony also produced a historic moment in cinematography. Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman ever to win the category for her work on Sinners , prompting a standing acknowledgment of women in filmmaking during her acceptance speech.

Other Notable Wins

Elsewhere, the period drama Frankenstein dominated the craft categories, winning awards for costume design, makeup and hairstyling, and production design. Amy Madigan delivered one of the night’s most emotional speeches after winning best supporting actress for her performance in the horror film Weapons , while Sean Penn earned best supporting actor for his role in One Battle After Another .

The Academy also introduced a new category this year recognizing casting directors. Cassandra Kulukundis became the first winner in the category for assembling the ensemble cast of One Battle After Another .

Documentary Categories Reflect Global Themes

The documentary categories reflected global political themes, with Mr. Nobody Against Putin winning best documentary feature for its examination of Russia’s information control during the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, All the Empty Rooms , a film about bedrooms left behind by children killed in school shootings, won best documentary short.

An Unusual Tie

One unusual moment occurred when the live-action short category resulted in a rare tie between Two People Exchanging Saliva and The Singers , creating an awkward moment on stage as both teams attempted acceptance speeches before producers rushed the ceremony forward.

Overall, the ceremony suggested a shift in the Academy toward politically resonant stories, bold genre experimentation, and broader representation across filmmaking disciplines.

List of major winners at the 98th Academy Awards

• Best Picture One Battle After Another

• Best Director Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another

• Best Adapted Screenplay Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another

• Best Original Screenplay Ryan Coogler — Sinners

• Best Actor Michael B. Jordan — Sinners

• Best Supporting Actor Sean Penn — One Battle After Another

• Best Supporting Actress Amy Madigan — Weapons

• Best Cinematography Autumn Durald Arkapaw — Sinners

• Best Original Score Sinners

• Best Casting Cassandra Kulukundis — One Battle After Another