The 2026 Oscars ceremony was a night to remember, with its unique blend of glamour, excitement, and uncertainty. As The Guardian's film critic, I had the opportunity to experience it firsthand, and it was an event that will stay with me for a long time. The ceremony took place amidst warnings of a possible retaliatory drone attack from Tehran on the target-rich environment of downtown Los Angeles, but fortunately, it didn't happen.
The Dolby Theatre, where the ceremony was held, was a sight to behold, with its vast and glitteringly beautiful interior. The host for the night was Conan O'Brien, who did a reasonably good job, starting with a spirited impersonation of Oscar nominee and winner Amy Madigan. However, the evening was not without its strange moments, including Sean Penn's absence to receive his award and Adrien Brody's gross-out moment when he spat gum into his hand and pretended to throw it into the audience.
One of the most gripping parts of the evening was the In Memoriam montage, which included a moving speech by Billy Crystal for Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, who were murdered. The speech was dignified and heartfelt, and it was moving to see this Hollywood legend speak at a moment when something so real, so painful, and so unresolved was at stake.
The ceremony was also marked by the presence of KPop Demon Hunters fans, who screamed with glee at the sight of their favorite stars. Comedian Ken Jeong, a cast member of the animated hit, was bouncing around the red carpet, shamelessly winding up the crowd. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone turning their heads like weather vanes at each howl.
Behind the Scenes
As I made my way to the red carpet, I was ushered on to the wrong floor by twitchy attendants and then it proved almost impossible to get back into the main section of the theatre, where my seat was. Eventually, a stressed security operative escorted me outside the building, where the kitchen staff go to have a smoke, past some unglamorous bins and round to the front again, for a Groundhog-Day-style second go at entering the Oscars.
Once I was finally inside, I had the opportunity to chat with some of the nominees and winners, including Chase Infiniti and Renate Reinsve, whose gown was the most gorgeous of the night. I also met Jafar Panahi, who was genially tolerant of the whole surreal circus, and Alana Haim, who was as impeccably cool as she is on screen.
The Winners
The winners of the night included the writer-directors of the Oscar-winning live-action short Two People Exchanging Saliva, Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata, who tied with another film called The Singers. I had the opportunity to chat with Alexandre before the show and had wished him luck. When they won, they rushed up to me in a state of euphoria, clutching their statuettes and beaming.
I was also lucky enough to hold their Oscars, which was a historic experience for me. However, I was warned that it's an Oscar superstition that if you touch an Oscar statuette that isn't yours by right, then you will never win one yourself. So, if the Academy ever brings in a new Oscar for best review, I'm stuffed.
A Night of Quiet Dignity
Despite the uncertainty and chaos that surrounded the ceremony, the 2026 Oscars had a certain quiet dignity to it. It was a night that will be remembered for years to come, not just for the winners and losers, but for the sense of community and solidarity that it brought to the film industry. As I left the Governors Ball, I couldn't help but feel that this was a night that would stay with me for a long time, a night that would be etched in my memory forever.
