2025 Oscar Nominees

27.02.2025

The History of the Oscar Award

The Oscar Award is one of the most prestigious accolades in the world of cinema, presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1929 Over the decades, it has become the gold standard of recognition in the industry, symbolizing the highest achievements in directing, acting, cinematography, and other aspects of filmmaking. Throughout the years, the Oscars have celebrated iconic films that have made history and introduced the world to new talents. Today, we will look at the main nominees of 2025 and discuss who deserves to win.

Best Picture

Anora
The Brutalist
Bob Dylan: A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
I’m Still Here
The Nickel Boys
The Substance
Wicked: Part One

From the bottom of my heart, I’m rooting for "Dune: Part Two" — one of the most epic films of recent years, balancing deep philosophy, allusions to modern conflicts, and breathtaking visuals that captivate from the very first frame. The film is a masterpiece in every detail, from Greig Fraser’s cinematography to Hans Zimmer’s hypnotic score, and Denis Villeneuve confirms his status as one of the greatest directors of our time.

Separately, "The Brutalist" deserves mention — a film in which Adrien Brody once again proves that he is not just an actor but a force of nature. His presence on screen is always an event.

Best Director

Sean Baker (Anora)
Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
James Mangold (Bob Dylan: A Complete Unknown)
Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)

Picking favorites is a thankless task, but it’s hard to overlook Sean Baker. Emerging from the indie scene, he has become one of the leading auteurs of modern cinema. I highly recommend his heartfelt "The Florida Project", featuring the incredible Willem Dafoe.

Best Actor

Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
Timothée Chalamet (Bob Dylan: A Complete Unknown)
Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)
Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)
Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice: The Rise of Donald Trump)

All the nominated actors gave 110%, but our vote goes to the tireless and soulful Adrien Brody. "The Brutalist" is truly high cinema.

Best Actress

Cynthia Erivo (Wicked: Part One)
Karla Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
Mikey Madison (Anora)
Demi Moore (The Substance)
Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)

In conclusion, the competitive spirit and recognition of the best in the industry are important steps that push cinema forward. However, the perception of a film is shaped by many factors, and often films that go unrecognized by awards become far more significant to audiences, changing their worldview and lives.

At Amber&Key, we sincerely thank everyone who creates this amazing world called cinema. If you work in film yourself, write to us, and we’ll find a way to reward you with a bonus for shopping at our store.