2025 Critics Choice Awards Winners: Conclave and Ralph Fiennes Gather Momentum as Conclave Nabs Best Ensemble

The 2025 Critics Choice Awards celebrated the best in film and television on Friday evening, with a strong opening as Conclave won the prestigious award for Best Ensemble. This marks a significant moment for the film, which stars Ralph Fiennes. The awards are seen as a key predictor of the Oscars, and this early victory boosts the momentum for Conclave and its lead actor.

Ralph Fiennes accepted the award, humorously referencing the experience of filming the movie, which centers on the secretive assembly to select a new pope. He expressed gratitude to his co-stars, including notable actors Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow, stating, "We all enjoyed being in our red skirts together." This light-hearted moment showcased the camaraderie among the cast.

In another surprising turn, Zoe Saldaña received the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Netflix film Emilia Pérez. Her win was emotional, especially considering the backlash that the film faced due to controversies surrounding co-star Karla Sofía Gascón. Zoe acknowledged the film's director, Jacques Audiard, and the cast while tactfully avoiding any mention of Gascón. Her speech resonated with many in the audience, as she reflected on the challenges of handling criticism in the entertainment industry.

The event was hosted by Chelsea Handler at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, after being postponed due to ongoing wildfires in the region. The awards were initially scheduled for January 12 but were moved to February for safety reasons.

Following Conclave's win, other categories began awarding standout performances. Hannah Einbinder and Michael Urie earned the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy awards for their roles in Hacks and Shrinking, respectively. Their acceptance speech, delivered simultaneously, added a humorous touch to the ceremony.

In the television categories, Liev Schreiber won Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for The Perfect Couple, while Jessica Gunning took home the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for her performance in Baby Reindeer. The FX series Shōgun had a strong showing, with wins in both supporting categories for Tadanobu Asano and Moeka Hoshi.

The ceremony continued to recognize excellence in animated features, with The Wild Robot winning Best Animated Feature. Meanwhile, Colin Farrell triumphed in the Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category for his transformative role in The Penguin, impressing the audience with a charming acceptance speech.

In a competitive field for Best Picture, Conclave and Wicked tied for the most nominations, with both films receiving eleven nods each. The nominations included top honors for many of the stars involved.

The Critics Choice Awards have shown their commitment to recognizing both cinematic and television achievements, and the evening was a testament to the impressive talent in the industry.

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