NSFC Awards 2025: Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ Dominates, Leonardo DiCaprio Snub Sparks Buzz

By ultapaltakhabar Jan 4, 2026 0

National Society of Film Critics crowns ‘One Battle After Another’ Best Picture of 2025, as Paul Thomas Anderson leads a night full of bold winners, surprising omissions, and cinephile favourites

The National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) has officially spoken, and their verdict has sent ripples across the global film fraternity. Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged drama “One Battle After Another” emerged as the undisputed champion of 2025, clinching Best Picture along with three other major awards. As expected from the critics’ circle known for its fiercely independent taste, the results were both celebratory and controversial, with Leonardo DiCaprio’s absence from the Best Actor category quickly becoming the most talked-about moment of the awards.

For cinephiles, awards-watchers, and industry insiders, the NSFC verdict once again proved why this body remains one of the most respected and unpredictable voices in cinema.

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‘One Battle After Another’ Wins Big at NSFC Awards

At the heart of the night was “One Battle After Another,” a film many critics have already described as one of Paul Thomas Anderson’s most politically resonant and emotionally layered works. The film didn’t just win Best Picture — it dominated across categories:

Best Picture
Best Director – Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Supporting Actress – Teyana Taylor
Best Supporting Actor – Benicio del Toro

With four awards in total, “One Battle After Another” emerged as the most decorated film of the year at the NSFC Awards, reinforcing its status as a major awards-season heavyweight.

Critics praised Anderson for crafting a film that speaks directly to the anxieties of the present moment, blending themes of revolution, solidarity, and moral reckoning without sacrificing cinematic ambition.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Directorial Triumph

Paul Thomas Anderson’s win for Best Director felt almost inevitable to many critics, given the film’s scale, ambition, and sharp political undercurrents. However, the competition was far from light.

The runners-up list highlighted the strength of global cinema in 2025:

Jafar Panahi for “It Was Just an Accident”
Richard Linklater for “Blue Moon” and “Nouvelle Vague”

That Anderson still emerged on top speaks volumes about how deeply “One Battle After Another” resonated with the NSFC voting body.

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Teyana Taylor and Benicio del Toro Steal the Spotlight

Two performances that critics could not stop talking about were Teyana Taylor and Benicio del Toro, both of whom delivered career-defining turns.

Teyana Taylor’s win for Best Supporting Actress was hailed as a breakthrough moment, with critics praising her emotional restraint, raw intensity, and commanding screen presence. For many, this performance officially marks her arrival as a serious dramatic force in cinema.

Benicio del Toro, meanwhile, claimed Best Supporting Actor for his role in the same film. Known for his ability to bring complexity and menace in equal measure, del Toro’s performance was described as “quietly devastating” and one of his finest in years.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Snub Becomes the Night’s Biggest Talking Point

Despite starring in the Best Picture winner, Leonardo DiCaprio was notably absent from the Best Actor category, a decision that immediately sparked debate across social media and film circles.

Instead, the Best Actor award went to Ethan Hawke for his acclaimed portrayal of Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon.” Hawke’s nuanced and deeply human performance earned widespread praise, with critics calling it one of the most emotionally resonant roles of his career.

The runners-up further underscored the strength of the category:

Wagner Moura for “The Secret Agent”
Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners”

While DiCaprio’s omission raised eyebrows, many critics argued that his performance was intentionally understated, making way for the film’s ensemble to shine.

‘The Secret Agent’ and ‘Sinners’ Score Major Wins

Beyond “One Battle After Another,” two films stood out for their critical impact:

“The Secret Agent” won Best Film Not in the English Language, reaffirming its position as one of the most globally celebrated films of the year.
“Sinners” took home Best Cinematography, with Autumn Durald Arkapaw earning accolades for her visually arresting work.

Both films also featured prominently as runners-up across multiple categories, highlighting how competitive and diverse this year’s cinematic landscape truly was.

Strong Performances and Screenwriting Recognition

The NSFC Awards also celebrated performances and writing that pushed boundaries:

Best Actress went to Kathleen Chalfant for “Familiar Touch,” a performance praised for its emotional precision and quiet power.
Best Screenplay was awarded to Jafar Panahi for “It Was Just an Accident,” reinforcing Panahi’s reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s most fearless storytellers.

Runners-up in these categories reflected a blend of Hollywood and international cinema, underlining the NSFC’s commitment to artistic excellence over box-office numbers.

Nonfiction, Experimental Cinema, and Film Heritage Honoured

Staying true to its cinephile roots, the NSFC didn’t limit its focus to mainstream narratives.

Best Nonfiction Film: “My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow”
Best Experimental Film: “Morning Circle” by Basma al-Sharif
Special Award (Awaiting U.S. Distribution): “Landmarks” by Lucrecia Martel

The Film Heritage Awards honoured institutions and individuals preserving cinema history, including Cinema Tropical, The Film Desk, and experimental film legends Ken and Flo Jacobs.

Critics Reflect on a Politically Charged Year

NSFC chair Justin Chang summed up the spirit of the awards perfectly, calling 2025 “an especially resonant year for movies about revolution and solidarity.”

Following a challenging year for both journalism and filmmaking, Chang emphasized that these films didn’t just entertain — they provoked thought, encouraged dialogue, and reaffirmed cinema’s power as a cultural force.

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What This Means for the Awards Season Ahead

With “One Battle After Another” now firmly established as a critics’ favourite, its momentum heading into other major awards shows appears unstoppable. The NSFC’s endorsement often influences later critics’ groups and even Academy voters, making Paul Thomas Anderson’s film one of the most closely watched titles of the season.

At the same time, Ethan Hawke’s Best Actor win, the rise of international cinema through “The Secret Agent,” and the strong showing by “Sinners” suggest a wide-open awards race ahead.

One thing is clear: 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting, competitive, and politically charged years in modern cinema history, and the National Society of Film Critics has once again set the tone for the conversations to come.

As awards season heats up, all eyes are now on whether these bold, critics-driven choices will translate into industry-wide recognition — or spark even bigger debates along the way.

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