Sean Baker, the celebrated screenwriter and director behind Anora, made history at the 2025 Academy Awards, securing the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The win came during the 97th annual ceremony held on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The 54-year-old filmmaker was presented with the coveted award by actress and comedian Amy Poehler.
In a humble acceptance speech, Baker expressed his shock and gratitude for the honor. “This is crazy. Thank you to the Academy, thank you so much for this honor,” he began. “I want to shout out my incredible, incredible cast. You elevated everything I wrote and made me look very good.”
Baker also took a moment to acknowledge the individuals who inspired the story of Anora, particularly the sex worker community. “They have shared their stories, they have shared their life experience with me over the years,” he said. “My deepest respect. Thank you. I share this with you.”
Anora, a captivating film that explores the life of a young woman named Anora, is a standout entry at the 2025 Oscars, earning six nominations, including Best Picture. The film’s story follows Anora, played by Mikey Madison, a 25-year-old woman from Brighton Beach, New York. The plot takes the audience on a rollercoaster journey from her life working in strip clubs to a dramatic and unexpected romantic elopement with the son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eydelshteyn. Through Baker’s screenplay, the film delivers a sharp, poignant, and often gritty narrative that has resonated deeply with both critics and audiences alike.
The competition for Best Original Screenplay was fierce this year, with several other strong contenders in the category. The other nominees included A Real Pain, September 5, The Brutalist, and The Substance.
The Substance is a body-horror satire directed by Coralie Fargeat, which garnered significant attention for its exploration of the aging process. In it, Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, an actress seeking to reverse her aging. Margaret Qualley portrays a youthful version of Elisabeth, named Sue. The film, which has five nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, presents a chilling commentary on vanity, technology, and identity.
Meanwhile, September 5, written by Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, and Alex David, depicts the Israeli hostage crisis at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. It provides a gripping look at the event through the eyes of American sports journalists, with Peter Sarsgaard starring as Roone Arledge, the ABC News executive who oversaw the network’s coverage of the Olympics.
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The film A Real Pain, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, is a dramedy that centers on two polar-opposite cousins, played by Kieran Culkin and Eisenberg, who reunite for a trip through Poland to honor their late grandmother. The film has been praised for its sharp dialogue and the complex relationship between the cousins, with both Culkin and Eisenberg receiving recognition for their performances.
Another strong contender, The Brutalist, written by Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, follows the story of László Tóth, a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who emigrates to the U.S. to escape the Holocaust. The film, which stars Adrien Brody, is a dark drama that explores themes of artistic expression, survival, and identity. With 10 nominations, it is one of the most-nominated films at the 2025 Oscars.
While these films were all deserving of recognition, it was Baker’s Anora that captured the Academy’s attention in the Best Original Screenplay category.
Baker’s win is a significant milestone in his career, which has been marked by a unique ability to tell stories that often explore marginalized communities and complex human emotions. His previous work includes films such as The Florida Project (2017), which earned acclaim for its depiction of life on the margins of society, and Tangerine (2015), which gained recognition for being shot entirely on iPhones. With Anora, Baker continues his tradition of pushing boundaries, offering a raw and unflinching look at the lives of people often overlooked by mainstream cinema.
Speaking to the press after his win, Baker reflected on the impact of Anora and his career. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with his cast and the people who helped bring the story to life. “I’ve always been passionate about telling stories that matter to me and that I think will resonate with others,” Baker said. “This film is a testament to the strength of the community it represents, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
In addition to its nominations in the Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture categories, Anora has garnered widespread attention for its performances. Mikey Madison’s portrayal of the titular character has been widely praised, with critics noting her ability to bring both vulnerability and strength to the role. Mark Eydelshteyn’s performance as the Russian oligarch’s son, who becomes entwined in Anora’s chaotic life, has also received strong praise.
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Baker’s recognition at the 2025 Oscars is not just a personal victory but also a celebration of diverse storytelling in Hollywood. The film’s portrayal of the sex worker community and its exploration of complex emotional and societal issues reflect a growing trend in the industry toward more inclusive and authentic representation.
Baker’s win also highlights the importance of representation behind the camera. As the recipient of the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, Baker joins a select group of filmmakers who have reshaped the landscape of cinema through their unique voices. His success serves as an inspiration to other filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds, showing that there is room for diverse stories at the highest levels of recognition in Hollywood.
As the evening came to a close, Baker’s win for Anora was one of the night’s most celebrated moments, drawing cheers from the audience and sparking conversations about the future of storytelling in cinema. The film’s success at the Oscars solidifies its place as one of the year’s most impactful films, and Baker’s career continues to be one to watch in the coming years.
With the Academy Awards behind him, Baker is already looking ahead to his next project. Fans of his work can expect more thought-provoking, boundary-pushing films that explore the human experience in all its complexity. As Baker himself said in his acceptance speech, “I share this with all of you,” signaling that his victory is not just his own but a celebration of everyone who helped bring his vision to life.
