As the lights dimmed and anticipation built in the air, Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards unfolded in style, spotlighting the best of the cinematic landscape. Among the nominees, the film ‘Sinners’ stole the show, entering the event with an astounding 17 nominations—the highest of any single project. This buzzworthy movie garnered four prestigious awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Young Actor or Actress for Miles Caton, Best Score for Ludwig Göransson, and the inaugural award for Best Casting and Ensemble.
In a dramatic twist, ‘Sinners’ tied with another well-received film, ‘Frankenstein,’ which also won four awards: Best Supporting Actor for Jacob Elordi, along with accolades for Best Costume Design, Best Hair & Makeup, and Best Production Design. However, despite the sparkle of these achievements, it was a mixed evening for ‘Sinners.’ Timothée Chalamet snagged the Best Actor award for his role in ‘Marty Supreme,’ while ‘One Battle After Another’ took home the coveted Best Picture title and Paul Thomas Anderson was honored as Best Director. Many fans took to social media, expressing their sentiments that both Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler were unjustly overlooked amidst the accolades.
The optics of the night did little to assuage these feelings. The wins for ‘Sinners’ were marked by a striking contrast, as two of the awards were bestowed upon white crew members: composer Ludwig Göransson and casting director Francine Maisler. Interestingly, Coogler’s screenplay honor was not televised, occurring during a commercial break, leaving little opportunity for him to address the audience directly. Nonetheless, Francine Maisler graciously passed the microphone to the acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo, who seized the moment to acknowledge Coogler and Jordan’s remarkable contributions to the film.
In a heartfelt speech, Lindo expounded on the extraordinary script penned by Coogler, stating, “From the first time I read this extraordinary script by the great Ryan Coogler, I knew it was something really special.” He continued, praising the film’s recognition within the industry, which he called “icing on the cake for the manifestation of the extraordinary vision of Ryan.” His enthusiasm resonated throughout the audience, culminating in a resounding round of applause as he spotlighted the duo’s collaboration. Adding a touch of humor, Lindo quipped, “These guys are not yet 40. I hate these dudes, man,” to shared laughter among attendees.
Lindo’s sincere acknowledgment not only resonated as one of the evening’s highlights but also reflected the overall spirit of the awards show. As the awards season progresses, there’s a palpable excitement surrounding projects like ‘Sinners,’ which continue to garner recognition in the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood.
In another standout moment, Tramell Tillman clinched the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Seth Milchick in the critically acclaimed series ‘Severance.’ This accolade followed his historic Emmy win for the same role the previous fall, marking his continued ascent in the industry. Meanwhile, Janelle James celebrated her first Critics Choice award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, breaking through after being nominated four times in the past.