One Battle After Another Receives Multiple Awards from CFCA

      As each award was handed out individually by different members of the Chicago Film Critics Association, a recurring thought struck me: this film must be vying for the record for the most awards ever won by a single movie from this group. It was soon confirmed that writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson's politically resonant yet relatable thriller, One Battle After Another, focused on a complex father-daughter relationship, set a new record by winning nine awards. This isn’t particularly surprising; the film is not only timely but arguably encapsulates the moment itself, rich in both horror and optimism.

      To be transparent, One Battle After Another dominated my personal ballot for both rounds. It stands out as an exceptional example of craftsmanship and storytelling that is sure to endure for years to come. Some of my personal favorites didn't receive nominations, including 28 Years Later, The Ugly Stepsister, Eddington, Warfare, and Materialists. I mention this to emphasize that readers and viewers should look beyond just the deserving films that rose to the forefront. The year 2025 was remarkable for cinema. Discovering such films is what I cherish most about this profession, and I hope that enthusiasm is reflected in the reviews I provide throughout the year. Ultimately, assembling these ballots and making my opinions known is the ultimate reward and brings immense joy and celebration.

      Being part of a community that is passionate about the arts and determining the year's best works is truly fulfilling. Some of my selections did receive nominations, although there were a few that I found less satisfying (while I refrain from calling them puzzling, I do acknowledge that I could understand the nominations). It was particularly gratifying to see recognition for Eva Victor’s delightfully subversive film Sorry, Baby, which tackles themes of trauma and healing, as well as nominations for Hamnet, Train Dreams, and Sinners. The solitary nomination for Eephus also brought joy to my baseball-loving heart.

      There were also some gratifying deep-cut nominations, such as Abou Sangare for Promising Performer in Souleymane's Story, a gripping depiction of the struggles faced by a Guinean immigrant working in delivery service jobs in pursuit of asylum. It’s a hidden gem that deserves immediate attention and highlights the Chicago critics’ broad coverage, ensuring that no film is overlooked or unconsidered.

      It is a privilege to be part of this voting body, as it represents the rewarding culmination of our work as critics. In times like these, criticism is essential and perhaps more necessary than ever, so I encourage everyone to absorb, support, and engage with as much of it as possible. As noted on the Roger Ebert website, here are the winners of the 2025 Chicago Film Critics Awards:

      BEST PICTURE: “One Battle After Another”

      BEST DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”

      BEST ACTOR: Timothee Chalamet, “Marty Supreme“

      BEST ACTRESS: Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You“

      BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Benicio Del Toro, “One Battle After Another”

      BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”

      BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: “It Was Just an Accident” by Jafar Panahi

      BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: “One Battle After Another” by Paul Thomas Anderson

      BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: “It Was Just an Accident”

      BEST DOCUMENTARY: “The Perfect Neighbor“

      BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: “KPop Demon Hunters“

      BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Michael Bauman, “One Battle After Another”

      BEST EDITING: Andy Jurgensen, “One Battle After Another”

      BEST ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN: “Frankenstein”

      BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Kate Hawley, “Frankenstein”

      BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Jonny Greenwood, “One Battle After Another”

      BEST USE OF VISUAL EFFECTS: “Sinners“

      MOST PROMISING PERFORMER: Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another”

      MILOS STEHLIK BREAKTHROUGH FILMMAKER: Eva Victor, “Sorry, Baby“

      I will fight for Ralph Fiennes to receive a nomination for The Bone Temple. Setting that aside, this is an outstanding list of winners, and I look forward to doing this again next year.

      Robert Kojder