The 2024 Oscars award ceremony took place on March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. A chaotic mixture of solemnity and cheerfulness defined the night. The program addressed some serious themes, such as the ongoing conflicts in the world, but many light and joyful moments made the night memorable.
At the Oscars, the spotlight was on the 2023 summer blockbuster Oppenheimer. The film dominated the awards, receiving seven wins, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. After being nominated for directing Dunkirk in 2017 and working on other renowned movies such as 2001’s Memento and 2010’s Inception, Director Christopher Nolan was finally awarded an Oscar of his own. Additionally, his longtime collaborator and friend Cillian Murphy won Best Actor after starring as the film's male lead, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Upon receiving the award, Murphy said, “We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or for worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world, so I’d really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.” Though the film explores somber themes, Murphy’s speech left the audience with a thoughtful message of gratitude.
The night not only belonged to Oppehnehimer but also its successful partner, Barbie. Billie Eilish won Best Song for “What Was I Made For?,” making her the youngest two-time Oscar winner at age 22. Another highlight of the night was Ryan Gosling’s lively performance of Best Original Song nominee “I’m Just Ken.” Gosling, clad in a dazzling pink suit joined by 65 Kens on stage, brightened the audience's mood.
After Gosling’s performance, actress Emma Stone “accused” Gosling of breaking her dress: “My dress is broken,” she said in her acceptance speech. “I think it happened during ‘I’m Just Ken.’” This unexpected interaction comes seven years after the pair's collaboration in La La Land, for which Stone won the Best Actress award for the film. This year, she earned her second Best Actress Oscar for her role in sci-fi comedy Poor Things.
Another highlight of the award ceremony was Messi, a 7-year-old border collie who portrayed the character of Snoop, a service dog for a blind boy in the French movie “Anatomy of a Fall.” A video of Messi supposedly clapping among the audience during the open monologue went viral online. Though the clip is thought to be pre-recorded, Messi’s cuteness warmed the hearts of many.
The audience was caught by surprise when actor John Cena came on stage to present the Best Costume award nearly naked. This moment recalled a famous incident when streaker David Niven ran across the stage during the 1974 Oscars. In a scripted bit before appearing on stage, Cena voiced second thoughts: "I changed my mind," Cena protested. "The male body is not a joke." The show’s host, Jimmy Kimmel, shamed him into doing it anyway. While covering himself with the Oscar envelope, he presented the Best Costume award to “Poor Things.”
At the end of the three-and-a-half-hour ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel ended the show by reading a post by Trump. “Has there ever been a worse host than Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars?” Kimmel said, reading part of Trump’s post. Kimmel replied, “Isn’t it past your jail time?”