Source Aljajeera
LOS ANGELES — In a ceremony that favored veteran mastery and gritty storytelling, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the 98th Academy Awards, clinching six Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.
The night served as a long-awaited coronation for Anderson, who finally secured his first wins after decades of critical acclaim. The film, a high-stakes political chase, managed to edge out Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic Sinners, which entered the evening with a record-breaking 16 nominations.
A Night of Validation for PTA
Accepting the Best Picture trophy alongside stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro, Anderson offered a poignant reflection on the film’s themes of generational responsibility.
“I wrote this movie for my kids to say sorry for the housekeeping mess we left in this world,” Anderson remarked during one of his three trips to the stage. “But it’s also an expression of hope that the next generation will bring back common sense and decency.”
The film’s total haul included:
Best Picture
Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Paul Thomas Anderson)
Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn)
Best Film Editing (Andy Jurgensen)
Best Casting (Cassandra Kulukundis — marking the first time this category has been awarded)
History and Heartbreak for ‘Sinners’
While it missed the top prize, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners didn’t go home empty-handed. Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor for his dual role as twin brothers, marking his first Oscar win. Additionally, Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman and first Black cinematographer to win Best Cinematography.
Ireland also had a major reason to celebrate as Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her performance in the Shakespearean drama Hamnet, becoming the first Irish woman to take home that specific honor.
Unexpected Moments and Technical Ties
Host Conan O’Brien kept the evening moving with sharp political barbs and self-deprecating humor. One of the biggest surprises of the night occurred in the Best Live Action Short category, which resulted in a rare tie between The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva—only the seventh tie in the Academy’s history.
Key Category Winner Film
Best Picture Paul Thomas Anderson, et al. One Battle After Another
Best Actor Michael B. Jordan Sinners
Best Actress Jessie Buckley Hamnet
Best Supporting Actress Amy Madigan Weapons
Best Animated Feature Maggie Kang & Chris Applehans K-Pop Demon Hunters
International Feature Joachim Trier Sentimental Value (Norway)
As the 98th Oscars come to a close, the focus shifts to the upcoming festival season.
