Christopher Nolan's atomic bomb epic 'Oppenheimer' swept the Critics Choice Awards, claiming Best Picture and seven more trophies, solidifying its Oscar front-runner status.
The billion-dollar blockbuster snagged prizes for director, supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.), cinematography, score, ensemble cast, editing, and visual effects.
In his directorial win speech, Nolan thanked critics who "helped with convincing mainstream audiences that a film about quantum physics and apocalypse could be worth their time".
Robert Downey Jr. thanked fellow "Oppenhomies" as he collected another best supporting actor award after his Golden Globe win.
However, the lead acting accolade went elsewhere, snubbing Cilian Murphy. Emma Stone's subversive role as a reanimated Victorian corpse in 'Poor Things' earned her Best Actress, praising the experience as "one of the greatest joys of my life".
"Playing Bella was one of the greatest joys of my life. I got to unlearn a lot of things in playing her -- unlearn parts of shame, and societal stuff that gets put on us," she said. "I'm very grateful to the critics… but I'm just learning not to care what you think."
Fellow winner Paul Giamatti, still buzzing from his viral In-N-Out Burger celebration after his Golden Globe win, took home Best Actor for the prep school comedy 'The Holdovers', calling it "a good story about people connecting in divisive times".
"I didn't think my week could get any better than going viral for eating a cheeseburger," joked Giamatti. "It's a good story about people connecting in divisive times. So thank you for helping get it out to audiences."
Da'Vine Joy Randolph cemented her supporting actress dominance with another win for 'The Holdovers', while Barbie's dazzling pink world snagged awards for comedy, original screenplay, song, production design, costume, and hair and makeup..
Despite "Oppenheimer"'s dominance, other films shone. French courtroom drama "Anatomy of a Fall" won Best Foreign Film, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" swung away with Best Animated, and "American Fiction" snagged Best Adapted Screenplay. The night, hosted by Chelsea Handler, ended with Harrison Ford receiving a career achievement award.
In summary, while "Oppenheimer" reigns supreme, the Critics Choice Awards showcased diverse excellence and set the stage for an intriguing Oscar race.
