“Everything Everywhere All at Once” Sweeps Oscars in Historic Night
The 95th Academy Awards, held on March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, honored a remarkable year in film with a ceremony that celebrated diversity, emotional comebacks, and genre-bending creativity. With Jimmy Kimmel returning as host, the event unfolded with humor, heartfelt speeches, and cinematic triumphs that captivated both the industry and a global audience of 18.75 million viewers, a 13% increase from the previous year.
The standout winner of the night was A24’s genre-defying masterpiece Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and three of the four major acting categories—a feat rarely seen in Oscar history.
Historic Wins for Asian Representation and First-Time Nominees
Everything Everywhere All at Once, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as “The Daniels,” became the clear champion of the evening, securing wins for:
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian woman and only the second woman of color ever to win in this category.
- Best Supporting Actor: Ke Huy Quan, whose emotional comeback story after decades away from Hollywood resonated with millions.
- Best Supporting Actress: Jamie Lee Curtis, who won her first Oscar after a career spanning over 40 years.
- Best Film Editing: Paul Rogers
Yeoh’s win was a landmark moment in Academy history and was met with a standing ovation. In her acceptance speech, she declared: “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime.” Quan’s tearful words—“Mom, I just won an Oscar!”—quickly became one of the most memorable and moving moments of the ceremony.
Brendan Fraser’s Comeback Victory
Another emotional highlight came when Brendan Fraser won Best Actor for his deeply transformative role in The Whale. His win marked a career resurgence and was met with a wave of support both inside and outside the industry. Fraser thanked director Darren Aronofsky and spoke candidly about his journey back into the spotlight, stating, “I started in this business 30 years ago, and things didn’t come easy to me. But there was a facility that I didn’t appreciate at the time until it stopped.”
Other Key Winners and Highlights
- Best International Feature Film: All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany), which also won for Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score.
- Best Animated Feature: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, celebrated for its artistry and philosophical depth.
- Best Documentary Feature: Navalny, highlighting political dissent and courage in the face of authoritarianism.
- Best Costume Design: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with designer Ruth E. Carter becoming the first Black woman to win two Oscars.
Musical performances included Rihanna singing “Lift Me Up” and Lady Gaga delivering a stripped-down version of “Hold My Hand,” each receiving warm acclaim. “Naatu Naatu” from the Indian epic RRR won Best Original Song, marking another significant moment for international cinema.
A Ceremony Focused on Celebration, Recovery, and Global Voices
The tone of the evening was one of redemption and recognition, contrasting the controversy of previous years. Jimmy Kimmel steered the show with levity and poise, even referencing last year’s Will Smith incident with self-aware humor while keeping the spotlight firmly on the nominees and their work.
The show emphasized themes of inclusivity, international collaboration, and the evolving nature of storytelling. With wins spread across diverse genres—sci-fi, horror, drama, and animation—the ceremony reflected the Academy’s ongoing efforts to modernize its tastes and expand its global relevance.
Looking Ahead
The success of Everything Everywhere All at Once and the deeply personal wins by Fraser and Quan illustrate that the Academy Awards are increasingly willing to recognize innovation, vulnerability, and change. The 95th Oscars were not just a celebration of films—but of resilience, representation, and the transformative power of cinema.
Source:
Wikipedia – 95th Academy Awards
Entertainment Weekly – Oscars 2023 Coverage
Daily Bruin – Oscars Recap
