And cut! Awards season is over! 

The 96th Academy Awards ceremony has officially capped off one of Hollywood’s more interesting years with one of the best awards season lineups in a long while. (And yes, including film Twitter’s punching bag of the season, Bradley Cooper and Maestro!) Hosted by an occasionally offensive and scarcely funny Jimmy Kimmel, the 2024 Oscars was kind of a mess of a show. Yes, the awards ultimately went to deserving artists, and, sure, there were a few standout moments, but the show?

The cameras keep catching the seat fillers. Ariana Grande videobombed the president of the Academy’s speech. No performance clips! They didn’t even recap the titles of the Best Picture nominees before Al Pacino announced the winner without any attempt at suspense! 

But, fine, we’re here to focus on the positives. So in case you missed it, here are the highlights of Hollywood’s most glamorous night.

The Goodest Boy at the Dolby Theater

Arguably this season’s breakout star is Messi, the dog from Anatomy of a Fall, who managed to pull off an overdose scene in the film somehow (how did they do that?!) and charmed all of Hollywood from red carpets to the Oscars luncheon. He was so charming, in fact, that producers of some of the competing films complained that his presence in these events was giving  Anatomy an unfair advantage at the voting and wanted him to skip the ceremony. The nerve! Thankfully, justice prevailed, because look at him be dapper with that bowtie! 

How to Unsee John Cena

This year’s list of presenters included Zendaya, Melissa McCarthy, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Lange, Sally Field, and so many other Hollywood legends. Of course, I couldn’t see John Cena there. He was buried deep in all that star power! But man, did the man make good use of his short time on stage. Because in a rather lackluster show, his bit was the best one. Imagine standing right before legends with nothing but an envelope covering you up. And to present the award for costume? Best.

Best Supporting Performances

After sweeping the awards circuit, this and Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s win for Best Supporting Actress were the least surprising of all. Still, it was beautiful to see Randolph accept the statue for her incredible performance in The Holdovers, and she could honestly give a seminar on how to write acceptance speeches at this point because she’s never missed, not once! 

And as for the case of RDJ, I’m honestly more Team Ruffalo for his work in Poor Things this year, but it’s great to see someone who’s been consistently giving us iconic performances be recognized for their work at last. Besides, RDJ with a mic is always a good time. (Mark Ruffalo, we’ll get you that win someday!) 

The Nominees for Original Song

Billie Eilish, who’s now the youngest artist in decades to win two Oscars, delivered a breathtaking performance of Barbie’s “What Was I Made For” that moved the audience to tears. In a historic number, Osage Tribal Singers performed on the Oscars stage with “A Song For My People” from Killers of the Flower Moon. But Ryan Gosling channeling Ken one last time (with Slash!) in a Gentlemen Prefers Blondes-inspired number of “I’m Just Ken” was a complete riot and certainly the most fun part of the evening. I mean, it even gave us a mini La La Land reunion!

The Zone of Interest

Jonathan Glazer, whose film was set in a Nazi family’s home by the Auschwitz concentration camp, stayed true to his film’s message and used his time to acknowledge the ongoing genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians.

It was an imperfect speech but, alas, the only one Palestine got, and still it was met with hesitant applause. 

20 Days in Mariupol

The winner of the Best Documentary Feature category chronicles the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And in his impassioned speech, filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov condemned Russia’s aggression which received a roaring standing ovation from the theater. 

Where was that energy for Palestine, Hollywood? 

Nolan, Cillian, and Oppenheimer

It’s a big day for film bros and “babygirl” enthusiasts alike! 

Our heterosexual male friends’ favorite director has finally won his first Oscar for his mind-blowing work in Oppenheimer! And wow, it was lovely seeing him get choked up. I’ve been following the guy’s work since Memento and this, for sure, is the most emotional I’ve seen him! Oppenheimer won 6 more awards including Best Picture, and Best Actor for Twitter’s “babygirl”, Cillian Murphy.

Our favorite awkward Irish recluse most deservedly took home the trophy for playing J. Robert Oppenheimer. He dedicated the award to “peacemakers everywhere.”

The Stones

Let’s be real. The Best Actress race simply is the most exciting one every year. And this year especially because the season’s frontrunners, Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone, have basically shared wins from different award-giving bodies. Stone got the Globes, Critics, and the BAFTA. Gladstone got the Globes and the SAG. These actors have grown close and have been generously fangirling over each other’s work all season. And when Stone was finally announced, she didn’t only look unprepared and surprised, she looked like she’d rather Gladstone won. 

But worry not, Lily Stans. She’s been cast in a film written by Charlie Kaufmann (Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). We’ll see her there again soon.

Did we miss anything? What was your favorite moment from this year’s Oscars?

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