Demi Moore Maintains Winning Streak at Critics Choice Awards, with Zoe Saldana and Adrien Brody Also Claiming Top Honors | Entertainment & Arts News
This year’s Critics Choice Awards saw significant wins for Demi Moore, Zoe Saldana, Kieran Culkin, and Adrien Brody.
Moore was honored with the best actress title for her role in The Substance, where she portrays a declining Oscar winner who uncovers a black-market drug designed to produce a younger version of herself.
This accolade adds to her Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination, marking her first significant recognition in major Hollywood awards after many years in the industry.
“It’s been such a wild journey; I never imagined starting this film would lead me here,” the 62-year-old expressed while accepting her award at the Santa Monica ceremony. “This surpasses anything I could have ever hoped for.”
Moore received support from her co-star Margaret Qualley as her win was announced. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
As she stepped into the realm of Oscars contender, the actress shared: “For anyone still on their path, struggling to find their way… just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it isn’t in the works – dreams can become reality.”
Coralie Fargeat, the director of The Substance, also received the award for best original screenplay, and the film secured a third accolade for its hair and make-up.
Anora, detailing the story of a sex worker who weds the son of a Russian oligarch, won best picture, while the papal thriller Conclave, featuring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, was recognized with the best acting ensemble award.
Sean Baker and Mikey Madison celebrate their best picture award for Anora. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
The widely popular musical adaptation Wicked garnered three awards, including best director for John M Chu.
Brody, a prior Golden Globe winner and Oscars contender, was awarded best actor for his portrayal of a Hungarian-Jewish architect in The Brutalist, while Saldana and Culkin received accolades in the supporting categories for their performances in Emilia Perez and A Real Pain, respectively.
Adrien Brody earned the best actor award for his role in The Brutalist. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Ralph Fiennes accepted the award for best acting ensemble for Conclave. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
The Spanish-language musical thriller Emilia Perez, centering on a Mexican drug lord undergoing gender transition, was awarded best foreign language film and also recognized for best song for El Mal, featuring Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon, and Camille Dalmais.
The film leads in Oscar nominations this year but has faced scrutiny following the resurfacing of old tweets by Gascon, which targeted Islam and George Floyd.
Zoe Saldana was awarded best supporting actress for her role in Emilia Perez. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Deadpool & Wolverine, featuring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, tied for the best comedy award with A Real Pain, a film where Culkin and director Jesse Eisenberg portray cousins visiting Poland to pay tribute to their grandmother.
Reynolds shared news of the win on Instagram, stating: “Zing! Thanks Critics Choice – the whole team is thrilled. But wait a minute.”
He invited his followers to “swipe” to discover that A Real Pain also received the award, extending heartfelt congratulations to that film’s cast and crew.
‘Thank you, Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively…’
Comedian Chelsea Handler was the host of the ceremony. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
During her opening monologue, Handler included a joke about Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively, referencing the recent controversy involving her and her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
“I want to acknowledge all that we’ve been through lately, not just in Los Angeles but across our nation,” Handler remarked. “It’s vital for us to have a distraction in these times. Therefore, I want to express my gratitude… to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Thank you for that distraction. I’m thankful, and I believe we all are.”
Read more:
Kieran Culkin on A Real Pain: ‘I’d get defensive’
The film addressing sex work issues
Conclave: ‘Not a simple critique of the Catholic Church’
In television categories, the historical drama Shogun triumphed, winning best drama and three out of four acting awards for its stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Moeka Hoshi, and Tadanobu Asano.
Hacks was celebrated as the best comedy series, with Jean Smart awarded best comedy actress, while Baby Reindeer took home best limited series, with Jessica Gunning named best supporting actress.
The awards ceremony occurred on Friday after multiple postponements due to the wildfires in Los Angeles in January.
