As expected by most Academy Awards predictions, Everything Everywhere All at Once dominated at the 95th Academy Awards. The Asian-American film won every award it was favored in, including Best Picture (-1500), Best Director for the “Daniels” (-1600), and Best Supporting Actor for Ke Huy Quan (-8500).
Michelle Yeoh (-225) also triumphed over Tar’s Cate Blanchett, while Jamie Lee Curtis (+125) upset Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Angela Bassett to capture both of the female acting awards. The film also won Best Original Screenplay (-175) and Best Film Editing (-250), bringing its total haul to seven awards and making it the most successful film of the evening.
Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, Brendan Fraser and Jamie Lee Curtis pose with their #Oscars. https://t.co/wgCluOYWZT pic.twitter.com/DqUipgwqq5
— Variety (@Variety) March 13, 2023
All Quiet on the Western Front and Other Big Winners
Next to Everything Everywhere All at Once, All Quiet on the Western Front was the film to receive the most awards. It became the fourth international film to capture four awards at the Oscars, taking home Best International Feature Film (-2200) and Best Cinematography (-700).
And as predicted, it made noise by pulling off some upsets, including Best Original Score (+140) and the evening’s biggest shocker: Best Production Design as a 9-1 underdog. Folks betting online would have won $90 for every $10 wager for it to win this award.
Brendan Fraser of The Whale was also one of the night’s biggest winners. He was favored at -220 on the online sportsbook, but his win still left him in disbelief. It was a great comeback story for Fraser as he had to pause his film career to battle health problems, divorce, and the death of his mother, among other issues.
Fraser’s colleagues also took home awards, namely the makeup and hairstyling crew. Adrien Morot, Judy Chin, and Anne Marie Bradley edged out Elvis’s team at odds of -110.
Ruth E. Carter also made history as the first black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category. She previously won for Black Panther in 2019 and won a second one for the sequel. She won as a +150 underdog over Catherine Martin of Elvis (-200).
Elvis Director Baz Luhrmann Brings Teen Daughter Lilly and Wife Catherine Martin to Oscars 2023 https://t.co/bDvqUxUlcB
— People (@people) March 12, 2023
No Winners Without Losers
Unfortunately, the wins above came at the expense of some films and filmmakers. Two of the biggest losers for the evening are Elvis and Babylon. Both films were on the wrong end of Academy Awards picks as Elvis lost in all eight of its nominations. Among the losses, it was favored to win Best Costume Design (-240) and Best Makeup & Hairstyling (-220).
As for Babylon, it lost all three of its nominations, with two as the favorite. Babylon was favored to win Best Production Design (-300) and Best Original Score (-190) but lost both awards to All Quiet on the Western Front.
The most heartbreaking loss of the evening belongs to Bassett. She was favored on the online gambling lines even if Curtis had just won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award. Bassett’s anguished reaction to the result went viral on social media, and this upset became a hot talking point for the rest of the night.
Angela Bassett’s reaction to Jamie Lee Curtis’ name being called…you can tell how much that Oscar would have meant to her. she is, was, and always will be incredible. I better see her on that stage SOON pic.twitter.com/oHDfuDUksG
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 13, 2023
The Banshees of Inisherin also got shut out despite gaining nine nominations, with four in the acting awards. It’s hard to call it a loser, as it was not favored in any of them, and simply garnering that many nominations is a feat in itself. Overall, Irish films accumulated 14 nominations which is historic for the nation.
What’s Next? The 96th Academy Awards
These Oscars were a win for diversity. And it’s intentional as the diversity-conscious board will look to recognize more filmmakers from marginalized communities. It’s actually an official rule heading to next year’s ceremony. So both fans and bettors can expect more history-making moments for these groups.
As for films that could make Academy Awards news, a few are already on the horizon. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer should be a contender along with Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon also reunite to do Air while Barbie with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling could generate enough buzz to earn nominations.
For the animated films, keep a look out for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which could be the favorite to win the Best Animated Feature if it’s as great as its predecessor (which won the Oscar). The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Disney’s Elemental could be others in the running.
