Oppenheimer is the winner of the night at this year’s BAFTAs, taking home seven awards, including the big one – best film.
Cillian Murphy, who stars as “father of the atomic bomb” J Robert Oppenheimer, was named best actor – the first Irish star to win the award – while co-star Robert Downey Jr was honoured in the supporting category.
Accepting his trophy, Murphy thanked his “Oppen-homies” and described his character as “colossally knotty,” and added: “We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it’s a privilege to be a part of this community with you all.”
For Christopher Nolan, the film’s acclaimed British director – also known for Inception, The Dark Knight, and Dunkirk – the “incredible honour” of his first ever BAFTA was a case of third time lucky.
He paid tribute to the film’s cast, led by the “peerless” Murphy, as he accepted the award.
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Downey Jr, who plays Lewis Strauss, head of the Atomic Energy Commission, set a new record for the longest gap between wins by an actor – with his latest trophy coming 31 years after his previous BAFTA for Chaplin, in 1993.
On stage, he thanked Nolan, joking: “Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.”
Oppenheimer’s seven BAFTAs were just two short of equalling the all-time record of nine, set by Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid in 1971.
It was also a successful night for Emma Stone, who was named best actress for her performance in Poor Things, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph – who took home the supporting actress trophy for her portrayal of a grieving school chef in The Holdovers.
Emma Stone stars in Poor Things. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty
Stone’s win was one of five for Poor Things, in which she plays a woman with the mind of a child discovering life for the first time, making the film the night’s second big winner.
The American actress said she was “in awe” of all of the team behind the surreal comedy, and thanked her British dialect coach for “not laughing” when she said water in an American accent.
All four acting winners are among the favourites to take home prizes at the Oscars in March.
The show was hosted by David Tennant. Pic: Joe Maher/BAFTA/Getty
In her speech, Randolph paid tribute to her co-star and fellow nominee, Paul Giamatti, saying she “cries every time” she says his name.
“I’m proud to call you a friend and thank you for never wavering,” she said.
She also hailed her character Mary, who would “never would have got a chance to wear a beautiful gown”, before saying it was a “responsibility I don’t take lightly”.
Elsewhere, Holocaust drama The Zone Of Interest took home three awards, including best film not in the English language – and also outstanding British film, due to British involvement behind the scenes, including Jonathan Glazer directing.
Read more:
The full list of winners
Red carpet fashion – all the best looks
Prince William, president of BAFTA, and David Beckham were among the BAFTA VIPs. Pic: PA
Despite being the biggest film of 2023, and heading into the ceremony with five nominations, Barbie left the BAFTAs empty-handed.
The show was hosted by David Tennant, who kicked things off with a Zoom-style sketch about looking after Michael Sheen’s dog, Bark Ruffalo – which ended with the dog being handed to the Welsh star at the ceremony.
The ceremony also included a memorable performance from Sophie Ellis-Bextor – whose 2001 hit Murder On The Dancefloor has soared up the charts once again thanks to its inclusion in the particularly memorable final scene in viral hit film Saltburn.
Emma Stone stars in Poor Things. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty
Samantha Morton, known for films and TV shows including Minority Report, The Whale and The Walking Dead, was named this year’s BAFTA fellowship winner, and used her speech to highlight problems in the children’s care system.
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