Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer swept the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, winning eight trophies including the best director, best picture and best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr, on Monday.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was a close second with six wins, including best comedy and best song (I'm Just Ken).
The race for the Academy awards was shaken up in the course of the evening as Emma Stone bagged the best actress award for her role in Poor Things, over Lily Gladstone (for Killers of the Flower Moon). Paul Giamatti took home the best actor trophy for his exceptional performance in The Holdovers, upending Cillian Murphy who was nominated for Oppenheimer.
Renowned comedian and talk show host Chelsea Handler served as the evening's host.
Top honours for acting
Alongside Paul Giamatti, Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr., Da’Vine Joy Randolph was recognised as best supporting actress for her standout performance in The Holdovers, while Dominic Sessa secured the best young actor award for the same movie. Oppenheimer took home the best acting ensemble award this year.
Oppenheimer dominates technical awards
Oppenheimer continued to dominate in technical categories, winning best cinematography for Hoyte van Hoytema, best editing for Jennifer Lame, and best visual effects. Ludwig Göransson was honored with the best score award for his exceptional contribution to the film.
Barbie's triumph
Barbie proved to be a force to be reckoned with, earning acclaim for its original screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, as well as victories in best production design, best costume design, and best hair and makeup.
Special honours
Harrison Ford, a Hollywood icon, accepted the Career Achievement Award, while America Ferrera was honoured with the SeeHer Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry.
Other highlights
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was recognised as the best animated feature. The Sony Pictures’ production had lost out to Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron at the Golden Globe Awards 2024. Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall took home the award for best foreign language film. Triet’s courtroom thriller had won the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
The Critics Choice Awards are streaming on Lionsgate Play.
