The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Irish-American comedian Conan O’Brien, has concluded. While viewers hoping for dramatic moments may have been disappointed—there were no on-stage slaps, no actresses tripping over their dresses, and no major blunders—the organizers delivered a well-executed and respectable awards show.
Let’s not forget: no matter how much effort the creative team puts into the spectacle, the Oscars remain, at their core, an awards ceremony—nothing more. And that’s why, over the more than three-hour runtime, today’s audience—accustomed to CGI, holograms, AI-generated images, and a constant stream of digital content—may easily lose interest.
AI-Free Oscars and the Challenge of Retaining Viewers
Perhaps that’s why Conan O’Brien opened the show by emphasizing that no AI was used, subtly referencing the efforts of the recent writers’ and actors’ strikes. The Academy has long struggled to maintain its audience, as traditional television awards shows have become an outdated format.
In an era when statistics show that people can only focus on a smartphone video for an average of eight seconds (shorter than a goldfish’s attention span), hosting a nearly four-hour-long televised award show may seem like a risky move.
Yet, despite these challenges, the 97th Oscars turned out quite well. Mandy Moore’s dazzling choreography was infused with humor—such as the piano-playing sandworm from Dune and the golden-haired boys’ dance routine. Strong musical performances, well-chosen presenters, and Conan O’Brien’s dry yet polished humor (which, of course, was largely scripted by a team of writers with minimal improvisation) made the show engaging and even entertaining.
New Twists and Standout Moments
While the ceremony largely followed its traditional format—including the In Memoriam segment, honoring those in the film industry who passed away—there were some fresh innovations.
For example, the set design was particularly striking—the background featured a massive, split circular window resembling a ship’s porthole, with the orchestra positioned on an upper level, creating a truly magical stage effect.
One of the most memorable segments of the show was a lengthy James Bond tribute, featuring one of the most powerful live performances of the night—RAYE’s rendition of the iconic 007 theme Skyfall.
Hungarian Editor Dávid Jancsó’s Oscar Nomination
For Hungarians, the Best Editing category was the most highly anticipated, as talented Hungarian editor Dávid Jancsó was nominated for his work on The Brutalist.
Although the award ultimately went to Sean Baker, the multi-talented director, writer, and editor of Anora, Jancsó’s nomination was still a huge achievement. As he said before the Oscars:
“In this industry, being nominated is what truly matters—it’s already a victory in itself.”
Historic Wins and Memorable Speeches
• Zoe Saldana won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, making history as the first Dominican-born actress to receive an Academy Award. In her speech, she reflected on her heritage:
“I am the proud child of immigrant parents who built their lives with dreams, dignity, and hard-working hands. I am the first Dominican-American to receive an Academy Award—but I hope there will be many more after me.”
Zoe Saldana knows how to turn an acceptance speech into a show. At the Critics’ Choice Awards in February, when she won for the same role, she jokingly began by saying she couldn’t believe she was receiving the award—especially since her husband had just stepped out to use the bathroom.
At the Oscars, her husband, Italian filmmaker Marco Perego-Saldana, waited anxiously with his face in his hands, unsure of what Zoe might say this time. Her speech began with standard acknowledgments, praising her husband—but then came another playful remark: she complimented his beautiful long hair. Perhaps too much information for an Oscar speech, but coming from Zoe Saldana, it was utterly charming and had the audience laughing.
This has been a huge year for Saldana, as she also won at the Critics’ Choice Latin Cinema Awards, was nominated for a Saturn Award, received recognition at Cannes, and just days before the Oscars, was honored at the Los Angeles Italian Film Festival.
• Mikey Madison won Best Actress, while the biggest winner of the night was Sean Baker, who made Oscars history by winning four Academy Awards for a single film (Anora)—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. No filmmaker has ever won this many Oscars in one night for a single movie before.
• Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his performance in The Brutalist. However, Hungarian fans were left disappointed by his speech—despite playing a Hungarian architect-immigrant in the film, he did not mention his Hungarian heritage.
While Brody has previously expressed pride in being the child of immigrants, his Oscar speech contained none of that sentiment. There was a moment of hope when he tearfully thanked his mother, requesting that the music be paused. However, despite frequently discussing in interviews how proud he is of his mother’s success as an immigrant in America, he left any similar sentiments out of his speech.
In contrast, Zoe Saldana took the opportunity to highlight her background, making her speech all the more impactful.
Technical Achievements
• Wicked won for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
• Dune: Part Two won Best Visual Effects.
• The Brutalist also triumphed in Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.
Conclusion
While the 97th Academy Awards may not have had shocking scandals, it proved that a well-executed, visually impressive, and humor-infused ceremony can still captivate audiences—even in an era of ever-shortening attention spans.
– Virág Vida –
