The 2023 Baftas: A Night of Surprises and Familiar Faces
This year’s Baftas delivered a mix of predictable outcomes and a few unexpected twists. One of the biggest surprises was Hugh Grant’s surprising endurance during Take That’s lackluster performance of “Greatest Day.” Instead of exiting the venue amid the crooning of Gary Barlow—whose vocals reminded one of an X Factor audition—Grant remained firmly in his front-row seat, seemingly unaffected by the heart-shaped balloons that littered the stage around him. The evening saw Conclave take home the coveted Best Picture award, while Adrien Brody secured the Best Actor title for his role in The Brutalist. Moreover, Brady Corbet was honored as Best Director, also for The Brutalist.
In a notably moving moment, Zoe Saldaña claimed the Best Supporting Actress award. Her acceptance speech resonated with the weight of a Best Actress win, capturing the audience’s attention. A highlight of the night was the unexpected triumph of Mikey Madison as Best Actress for her compelling portrayal of a sex worker entangled in an affair with an oligarch’s son in Sean Baker’s poignant film, Anora. Madison’s victory came as a delightful surprise, especially considering she triumphed over esteemed nominees such as Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo, Saoirse Ronan, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and the controversial Karla Sofia Gascón. This late underdog win stood out in a night that, overall, lacked the spark one might hope for.
This awards season felt somewhat subdued compared to the exhilarating atmosphere of the previous year, which was filled with groundbreaking films and memorable performances. Last year’s competition included cinematic masterpieces and thrilling debuts such as the Barbenheimer phenomenon, Poor Things, The Zone of Interest, Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives, and Anatomy of a Fall. Those films ignited conversations, opened imaginations, and explored bold narratives. Each ceremony buzzed with suspense, making it seem like anything could happen, and that it would truly matter.
This year, however, felt less celebratory and was overshadowed by the controversial reception of Emilia Pérez. Many viewers found it difficult to take the film seriously, especially in light of the backlash surrounding its star, Gascón, due to historical bigoted tweets. The host for the evening, David Tennant, despite his charisma and enthusiasm, struggled to uplift the atmosphere. His opening number—a spirited rendition of The Proclaimers’ “500 Miles”—failed to resonate with the audience, with only James McAvoy seemingly enjoying the performance. The autocue script felt lackluster, the audience’s laughter was sparse, and the general vibe in the Royal Festival Hall was disappointingly lifeless.
As the novelty of celebrity spotting wore off after just eight minutes, I began to measure the audience’s applause for each nominee, hoping to glean insights into Hollywood and the British elite’s sentiments. What I discovered was a palpable affection for A Real Pain, evident in Jesse Eisenberg’s charming and genuine speeches, which provided the evening’s only significant laughs. Additionally, Warwick Davis received heartfelt recognition during a moving tribute to his late wife, marking the night’s emotional high point. The audience cheered for Wallace and Gromit, particularly the mischievous Feathers McGraw, while Emilia Pérez garnered an awkward acknowledgment.
The 2023 Bafta Winners in Full
- Best Film: Conclave
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison
- Best Director: Brady Corbet for The Brutalist
- Outstanding British Film: Conclave
- Special Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
- Children’s and Family Film: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
- Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, and Producer: Rich Peppiatt for Kneecap
- Production Design: Wicked
- Film Not in the English Language: Emilia Pérez
- Sound: Dune: Part Two
- Original Score: The Brutalist
- Original Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg for A Real Pain
- Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan for Conclave
- Animated Film: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
- Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin
- Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña
- Casting: Sean Baker and Samantha Quan for Anora
- Editing: Conclave
- Cinematography: The Brutalist
- Short Film: Rock, Paper, Scissor
- Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: MediCinema
- Documentary: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
- Short Animation: Wander to Wonder
- Best Costume Design: Wicked
- Make Up and Hair: The Substance
- EE Rising Star: David Jonsson
- Bafta Fellowship: Warwick Davis
As the evening unfolded, the real world intruded only sporadically. A fleeting Donald Trump joke from Tennant—“talking of villains” after referencing The Apprentice—elicited a modest cheer. During acceptance speeches, a composed Madison dedicated her award to the sex worker community, while Rich Peppiatt used his moment to honor those fighting for their homeland and language with Kneecap. Yet, political commentary felt minimal compared to what one might expect. Perhaps the backlash against Jonathan Glazer’s comments about the Israel-Gaza conflict has made award-winners cautious about voicing controversial opinions.
It would have been refreshing if someone had taken the opportunity to remind the audience that films are meant to evoke passion, drama, and fun—all elements that were sorely lacking in this year’s spectacle. While it might have been a triumphant night for British cinema, it ultimately fell flat for television.
