The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack

The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack

Share this post

The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack
The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack
Oscar Winners 2025

Oscar Winners 2025

Horror and science fiction are overlooked by the Academy as usual, but there have been far worse big winners than Anora

Simon Dillon's avatar
Simon Dillon
Mar 03, 2025
∙ Paid
4

Share this post

The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack
The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack
Oscar Winners 2025
6
1
Share
Anora. Credit: Neon

Last year, I agreed with just about all the Oscar winners. This ultra-rare celestial alignment is unlikely to recur any time soon. Indeed, this year’s results have once again provided plenty of opportunity for dissent. That said, I genuinely like many of the winners in question, even if I’d have picked something different. Many of my predictions were wide of the mark, but I won’t be too hard on myself, given the unpredictability of this year’s competition.

A part of me is annoyed that I care about the Oscars. I really shouldn’t, given how steeped they are in politics, storms in social media teacups, and enough mudslinging to put an American presidential election to shame. Despite this, I can’t help but want the films I feel most deserving to be rewarded. This naïve, idealistic nonsense is an illness for which I have yet to find a cure. If anyone can point me in the direction of some industrial strength couldn’t-give-an-airborne-fornication-about-the-Oscars medicine, I’d appreciate it.

In the meantime, you may be relieved to learn my affliction does not extend to interest in who wore what dress (though I appreciated Isabella Rossellini’s wardrobe tribute to David Lynch). I also have no interest in who gave the most insufferable acceptance speech, which actor suddenly decided they were an expert in geopolitics, whose blithering was drowned out by music, and so forth. However, I will give a thumbs up to Conan O’Brien’s opening speech, especially his hilarious jabs at streaming services.

Since I’m in the UK, you might think I’ve been up all night watching due to the timezone difference. Mercifully, despite caring who wins (against my better judgement), I’m pleased to say this caring does not extend to watching the ceremony itself. I’ve got better things to do, such as sleeping (though I checked the Conan O’Brien bit this morning, when prompted to by a friend).

Anyway, that’s enough preamble. Here are my thoughts on this year’s winners in the main categories.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Simon Dillon
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share