In a decisive victory at the 2025 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ emerged as the ceremony’s most honored film, capturing four prestigious awards including Best Picture. The critically acclaimed work also secured Best Director for Anderson, while Teyana Taylor and Benicio del Toro received Best Supporting Actress and Actor honors respectively.
The awards ceremony, however, delivered a surprising omission as Leonardo DiCaprio, the film’s lead actor, was notably absent from the winner’s circle. The Best Actor distinction instead went to Ethan Hawke for his transformative performance as lyricist Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s ‘Blue Moon’. Wagner Moura (‘The Secret Agent’) and Michael B. Jordan (‘Sinners’) were recognized as runners-up in the category.
International cinema received significant recognition with ‘The Secret Agent’ winning Best Non-English Language Film, while ‘Sinners’ earned accolades for Best Cinematography. The documentary category was won by ‘My Undesirable Friends: Part I—Last Air in Moscow’ for Best Nonfiction Film, and Kathleen Chalfant claimed Best Actress for her work in ‘Familiar Touch’.
NSFC Chair Justin Chang characterized 2025 as an exceptional year for cinema, particularly noting the thematic resonance of films exploring revolution and solidarity. ‘Following a difficult year for journalism and filmmaking, it’s thrilling to salute these brilliant films that represent the highest achievements in our industry,’ Chang remarked, highlighting the cultural significance of this year’s selections amid broader industry challenges.