The 2023 Oscars ceremony was dominated by Daniels Kwan and Scheinert’s Everything Everywhere All At Once, which received the most wins of any movie nominated.
EEAAO’s success at the ceremony was a remarkable achievement, especially considering that it was only the second feature film from the directing duo of Daniels Kwan and Scheinert. The movie’s win in the best picture category was particularly noteworthy, as it is one of the most coveted awards of the night. Besides, the A24 multiverse dramedy also earned other 6 awards, including best director, lead actress, original screenplay, editing, supporting actor, and supporting actress.
The movie set several records, with Michelle Yeoh becoming the first Asian woman to win lead actress and only the second woman of color ever to win in that category. Yeoh also holds the record for playing the most characters in a single film, with around 70 roles. Ke Huy Quan and Yeoh made history by being the first actors to win for playing Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese-speaking characters, and it was also the first ceremony where multiple Asian actors won in a single year.
All Quiet on the Western Front, a Netflix movie, also had a successful night, winning four awards for international feature, cinematography, score, and production design. The Whale followed closely behind with two awards for makeup and lead actor for Brendan Fraser. Other movies such as Avatar: The Way of Water, Women Talking, RRR, Top Gun: Maverick, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won a single award each.
Despite the massive success of EEAAO and All Quiet, the awards were distributed fairly evenly among the movies. For a comprehensive list of the winners, please refer to the official announcement.
Wins By Film:
Everything Everywhere All At Once – 7 wins
The 2023 Oscars ceremony was dominated by Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEAAO), which had an impressive start to the night with Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis winning the awards for supporting actor and supporting actress respectively. The movie went on to pick up additional awards for original screenplay, editing, directing, lead actress for Michelle Yeoh, and ultimately, best picture.
All Quiet on the Western Front – 4 wins
When the Oscar nominations were announced, Netflix’s German-language war drama was a surprise hit with critics. The film, which received nine nominations, including nods for best director, production design, score, and cinematography, was an unexpected frontrunner.
The movie’s international feature win for director Edward Berger was particularly noteworthy, as it highlighted the film’s global appeal and success. The stunning production design and cinematography, which recreated the harrowing and devastating world of World War I, were also praised by industry insiders and audiences alike. Additionally, the film’s score was lauded for adding a powerful emotional depth to the story.
The success of the film was a testament to the talent of its cast and crew, as well as its powerful storytelling. The movie’s focus on the experiences of German soldiers during the war was a unique and gripping perspective that resonated with viewers.
The Whale – 2 wins
Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale relied heavily on the physical transformation of its lead actor Brendan Fraser, who underwent a remarkable metamorphosis with the help of head-to-toe prosthetics. This artistic decision paid off, as the film garnered recognition at the Oscars for its incredible hair and makeup work. The department heads Adrien Morot, Judy Chin, and Annemarie Bradley-Sherron were lauded for their exceptional contributions to the film’s visuals.
Avatar: The Way of Water – 1 win
James Cameron’s sequel to the blockbuster Avatar, relied on cutting-edge motion capture technology to transport its cast to the imaginary world of Pandora. The film, which utilized mostly visual effects to create the fantastical planet, won a solitary Oscar, showcasing the innovation and mastery of the visual effects team. Avatar’s legacy in the realm of special effects continues to inspire a new generation of filmmakers and sets the bar for future technological advancements in the industry.
Top Gun: Maverick – 1 win
The highly anticipated sequel to Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, took home one trophy for outstanding sound design. The film, which saw Cruise reprise his role as Maverick, was widely anticipated by fans of the original 1986 classic. Despite not making a major impact at the ceremony, the award for sound design undoubtedly recognizes the impressive efforts of the sound team in bringing the thrilling aerial sequences to life.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – 1 win
Ruth E. Carter made a historic win by becoming the first black woman to ever receive the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work on the 2018 Marvel blockbuster, Black Panther. This year, she repeated the feat by winning the same award for the sequel. In a touching tribute, she dedicated her award to her mother who recently passed away at the remarkable age of 101.
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio – 1 win
Guillermo Del Toro’s stop-motion animated film about a puppet named Pinocchio won the award for best-animated feature at the Oscars, beating out other nominees Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Women Talking – 1 win
Sarah Polley was awarded the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for her work in transforming Miriam Toews’ novel into a feature film. The movie depicts the story of a group of women who live in an orthodox religious community and must confront the repeated sexual assaults committed by the men in their commune. As they grapple with whether to flee or stay and fight, the film brings to light important issues surrounding sexual violence and the role of women in such conservative communities.
RRR – 1 win
“Naatu Naatu” from the film RRR took home the award for best original song, surprising many viewers who were shocked by its exclusion as India’s official entry for the Oscars despite its massive box office success.
Navalny – 1 win
Navalny, a documentary film that sheds light on the life of a Russian dissident in the Putin regime, won the award for best documentary feature. The film, which was released at a timely moment, beat out other strong contenders such as the love story of a volcanologist in Fire of Love and the story of a bird sanctuary in All That Breathes.
An Irish Goodbye – 1 win
Tom Berkeley and Ross White’s heartwarming tale of two estranged brothers who reunite in rural Ireland following their mother’s death, An Irish Goodbye, has taken home the Live Action Short award at this year’s Oscars ceremony.
The Elephant Whisperers – 1 win
Kartiki Gonsalves’ documentary short film, an Indian-American entry, tells the heartwarming story of a couple who develops a special connection with a baby elephant placed under their care.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – 1 win
In a surprise victory, British filmmakers Charlie Mackesy and Peter Baynton took home the award for Best Animated Short for their adaptation of Mackesy’s illustrated children’s book, titled “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”.
