Very fitting for a set of nominations that saw three films nominated in at least nine different categories, the Chicago Film Critics Association spread the love around for the winners. Martin Scorsese’s 3+ historical epic chronicling heinous crimes against the Osage people, Killers of the Flower Moon, took home three honors, but it wasn’t the only film to do so.
However, the real surprise is that it wasn’t Poor Things or Barbie (perhaps they split votes in numerous categories for essentially telling similar stories but inside wildly different approaches) that took home multiple awards (both films had at least nine nominations), but tabloid relationship drama May December with a strong showing, taking home three. Joining the club was another historical epic, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Meanwhile, Alexander Payne’s 70s-inspired Christmastime comedy The Holdovers impressed, taking home two big acting awards.
See below for the full list of winners:
BEST PICTURE: Killers of the Flower Moon
BEST DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
BEST ACTOR: Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
BEST ACTRESS: Emma Stone, Poor Things
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Charles Melton, May December
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: May December by Samy Burch
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Killers of the Flower Moon by Eric Roth & Martin Scorsese
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: The Boy and the Heron
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Kokomo City
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Zone of Interest
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Oppenheimer, Hoyte Van Hoytema
BEST EDITING: Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame
BEST ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN: Barbie
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Poor Things, Holly Waddington
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Killers of the Flower Moon, Robbie Robertson
BEST USE OF VISUAL EFFECTS: Godzilla Minus One
MOST PROMISING PERFORMER: Charles Melton, May December
MILOS STEHLIK AWARD FOR BREAKTHROUGH FILMMAKER: Celine Song, Past Lives
It is an honor to participate in and vote on these awards every year, patting oneself on the back for crossing the finish line and making it through another year of watching a ridiculous number of movies. While I would have preferred Poor Things to clear the table and take home as many awards as possible, it’s also difficult to argue against the way everything shook out, especially since Emma Stone did rightfully win Best Actress for her career-best, fearless performance.
It’s also impossible not to smile when a Japanese Godzilla film takes home a prize. And who can argue against arguably the greatest to ever do it, Martin Scorsese, having what could be one of his final films take home the prize for Best Picture? Do not let that running time to tell you, seek out Killers of the Flower Moon.
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
