98th Academy Awards: ‘One Battle’ Triumphs Over ‘Sinners,’ Jordan Defeats Chalamet, and Penn Secures Win with Minimal Campaigning
The 98th Academy Awards concluded on Sunday evening at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, marking the end of a challenging awards season. Despite significant changes within the Academy’s membership over the past decade, the outcomes remained consistent with historical trends. The ceremony highlighted the ongoing evolution of the Academy, which now includes a more diverse group of voters, yet the traditional indicators of Oscar success continued to hold true.
‘One Battle’ Claims Best Picture
Despite speculation surrounding a late surge for Sinners, One Battle secured the coveted Best Picture award, continuing its winning streak from other major ceremonies, including the Gothams, Golden Globes, and BAFTA Awards. The film’s dominance was evident, having won at every notable event this season, except for the Actor Awards held two weeks prior.
The excitement surrounding Sinners‘ Best Cast win at the Actor Awards had raised hopes among its supporters. However, the track record of the Best Cast award as a predictor for Best Picture is not strong, with only 15 out of 32 instances aligning with the Oscar winner. This year’s Actor Awards coincided with the final voting period for the Oscars, leading to misplaced optimism among Sinners fans.
Factors Behind the Victory
One Battle‘s success over Sinners, both Warner Bros. releases that bypassed the festival circuit, can be attributed to several factors. While Sinners garnered more nominations and a higher box office gross, the significance of being the most-nominated film has diminished in recent years. Historical examples include Emilia Pérez versus Anora, and The Power of the Dog versus CODA, where the film with fewer nominations ultimately triumphed.
Moreover, One Battle benefited from its genre appeal. The Academy has broadened its acceptance of diverse films, awarding Best Picture to unconventional choices like The Shape of Water and Parasite. However, a zombies-themed film competing against a dramedy/thriller may have been too unconventional for the Academy’s current preferences.
Acknowledgment of Filmmakers
The recognition of One Battle also reflects the overdue acknowledgment of its director, Paul Thomas Anderson. With a distinguished career that includes films like Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood, Anderson had previously gone 0-for-11 at the Oscars. This year, One Battle provided voters with a compelling reason to rectify that oversight.
Early in the ceremony, it became apparent that Sinners faced challenges in securing the Best Picture award. The film’s Best Supporting Actress nominee, Wunmi Mosaku, did not win, and it lost the inaugural Oscar for Best Casting to One Battle. By the time Sinners’ Delroy Lindo lost the Best Supporting Actor award to a nominee from One Battle, the outcome seemed inevitable.
Awards Breakdown
Both films had their moments of recognition during the ceremony. Anderson won Best Adapted Screenplay, while Sinners‘ Ryan Coogler took home Best Original Screenplay. The acting awards were also split, with Sinners winning Best Actor and One Battle claiming Best Supporting Actor. The final tally stood at One Battle with six awards and Sinners with four.
The Actor Awards were the only group to accurately predict all four individual acting Oscar winners this year. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for Hamnet, Michael B. Jordan took Best Actor for Sinners, Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for Weapons, and Sean Penn secured Best Supporting Actor for One Battle.
Unique Paths to Victory
The paths to victory for the acting winners varied significantly. Penn, who did not actively campaign, delivered a memorable performance that resonated with voters. His win at both the BAFTA and Actor Awards positioned him favorably for the Oscars, making him one of the few actors to achieve three Academy Awards in the male acting category.
Madigan’s early win at the Critics Choice Awards helped build momentum leading to her Oscar victory, despite a competitive field. Conversely, Jordan initially appeared to be trailing Timothée Chalamet, who had won at the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards. However, the Academy’s preferences ultimately favored Jordan, as Marty Supreme failed to secure any wins at the Oscars.
Buckley emerged as a frontrunner from the moment Hamnet premiered, with her performance garnering widespread acclaim. Her genuine persona and talent contributed to her success, suggesting a bright future ahead.
Netflix’s Dominance
In other categories, the Best Documentary Feature award went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin, while Netflix excelled across various categories. The streaming giant secured wins for Best Costume Design, Makeup/Hairstyling, and Production Design for Frankenstein, as well as Best Animated Feature and Original Song for KPop Demon Hunters. Netflix’s total of seven awards matched its previous record.
Observations on the Ceremony
The telecast was well-received, featuring Conan O’Brien as host and a well-executed In Memoriam segment. However, some aspects of the show drew criticism, such as the handling of the Marvel reunion and the decision-making regarding presenters.
The final Feinberg Forecast accurately projected 21 out of 24 categories, reflecting a strong understanding of the awards landscape. The season concluded with gratitude expressed towards colleagues, friends, and family for their support throughout the rigorous awards journey.
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Published on 2026-03-16 15:02:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk