Everything Everywhere All at Once dominated the Critics’ Choice Awards, earning five trophies and leaving a lasting impression in its 28th edition. The Critics’ Choice Awards showcase the year’s standout performances on both screens, with juries and reporters from the United States and Canada weighing in with their picks.
Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the film—often nicknamed Los Daniels—led with a remarkable 14 nominations. Ke Huy Quan captured top honours for best picture, best director, best original screenplay, best editing, and best supporting actor, underscoring the film’s broad appeal across categories.
The Critics’ Choice Association, comprising more than 600 entertainment journalists from the United States and Canada, is a key barometer for the season’s awards conversations and trends.
The night’s notable surprises included The Fabelmans and The Banshees of Inisherin. The Fabelmans, an autobiographical drama from Steven Spielberg, captured top acting recognition for a Canadian newcomer, Gabriel LaBelle, while The Banshees of Inisherin impressed at other ceremonies, though it did not secure nominations in all the nine categories it pursued.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, the sequel from Rian Johnson, delivered a surprise win in the best comedy and best ensemble categories, announced just before the telecast started.
The ceremony was hosted at a premier venue in Los Angeles—the Fairmont Century Plaza—an event site already known for hosting many major industry gatherings such as the SAG Awards and the Globes. The moment that resonated most with viewers came when Brendan Fraser accepted best actor for The Whale, saluting the audience and reflecting on years spent outside the central industry spotlight and personal struggles that followed.
Australian actor Cate Blanchett, nominated for Tár, signalled continued momentum toward what many expect to be her third Oscar win, after a Golden Globes triumph earlier in the week in the same category.
In the best international film category, the Indian production RRR emerged as a strong favorite, beating out Argentina, 1985. The film also earned the prize for best song with Naatu Naatu, while its creators were discussed as potential contenders for best film and best director, highlighting the global reach of cinema this season.
Language and regional flair were on display as Guillermo del Toro collected the best animated feature for Pinocchio, a testament to his distinctive storytelling approach and visual style.
Abbott Elementary and Better Call Saul Shine on TV
The sixth season of Abbott Elementary and the final season of Better Call Saul featured heavily in the television categories, each presenting a strong slate of contenders. Abbott Elementary stood out in the comedy series race, with its ensemble earning top acting recognition for Sheryl Lee Ralph as a standout supporting performer in the genre. The show’s success continued to build on its earlier Golden Globes and Emmy wins.
Better Call Saul earned the best drama series nod, with Bob Odenkirk’s performance highlighted as best actor and Giancarlo Esposito recognized as a top supporting player. In the miniseries space, The Dropout earned praise as a standout, with Amanda Seyfried named best lead actress for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the Theranos venture.
The awards season will keep rolling after the Critics’ Choice, with the Hollywood Critics Association and Producers Guild events lining up in the near term. The pace will accelerate toward the 95th Academy Awards, scheduled to close the season in March with the culmination of cinema’s most celebrated honors.