By: Jordan Park
Local Editor
Following the Golden Globes, the 2024 award season continued with the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards on Jan. 14, recognizing outstanding performances and productions in both TV and film throughout the previous year. Comedian Chelsea Handler returned for the second year in a row to host the ceremony, which took place at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in Los Angeles.
Huge box office hits like Barbie and Oppenheimer dominated the nominations and even broke records as Barbie received 18 nods, the most of any film in the ceremony’s history. Both films garnered nominations in categories such as Best Picture and Best Director. On the flip side, Succession, The Bear, and Beef dominated the drama, comedy, and limited series TV categories, respectively. Other movies and shows such as Saltburn, The Color Purple, Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon, The Last of Us, The Crown, and more received nominations.
The very first award of the night went to Da’Vine Joy Randolph as the Best Supporting Actress in The Holdovers. The evening continued, awarding Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor in Oppenheimer and Ali Wong and Steven Yeun as Best Actress and Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television in Beef. The Best Director and Best Picture Awards went to Christopher Nolan and Oppenheimer, bringing the film’s total wins to eight. Barbie received six awards in the categories of Best Comedy and Best Costume Design. The Bear took home the awards for Best Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series, along with Best Comedy Series. Emma Stone received the Best Actress Award for her role in Poor Things, and Paul Giamatti won Best Actor in The Holdovers. Best Supporting Actress and Actor in a Drama Series went to Elizabeth Debicki in The Crown and Billy Crudup in The Morning Show. Best Animated film went to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off received the award for Best Animated Series.
Halfway through the ceremony, director James Mangold presented beloved actor Harrison Ford with the Career Achievement Award. The two are close friends and have worked together on numerous sets, namely the Indiana Jones film series. The prize honored Ford for his significant contributions to the film industry as an incredible actor and producer. During his speech, Ford reflected on his career, saying, “I’m here because of a combination of luck and the work of wonderful directors, writers and filmmakers. I feel enormously lucky.” He was sure to feel the love as he exited the stage to cheers and applause. Be sure to check out the whole list of winners of the 2024 Critics Choice Awards!
(Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Time, Variety)