'Anora' wins three Spirit Awards, including best film, and eyes Oscar success
'Anora' wins three Spirit Awards, including best film, and eyes Oscar success
Show Caption
Hide Caption
'Anora': Mikey Madison on why she's proud of 'vulnerable' final scene
'Anora' star Mikey Madison talks about the film's finale, in which she explores a range of emotions in a five-minute, single-shot car scene.
SANTA MONICA, California − The past year has been "great for film, and a bad year for human life," host Aidy Bryant said to kick off the 40th Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday.
The awards show for movies made for less than $30 million is a famously laid-back affair ("White Lotus" star Walton Goggins rocked a sleeveless shirt) held in a giant tent off the Santa Monica Beach. But Saturday's winners are also vying for Oscar gold.
With a little more than a week until the Academy Awards on March 2, the Indie Spirits honored writer and director Sean Baker's "Anora" with three major awards, including best feature, best director and best lead performance for star Mikey Madison.
The drama about a Brooklyn sex worker (Madison) and her whirlwind affair with a Russian oligarch's son has gone from a Cinderella success story to Oscar frontrunner − with six Academy Award nominations, including best picture, best director for Baker, and best actress for Madison.
Sign up for our Watch Party newsletter: We deliver the best movie and TV recommendations to your inbox.
Accepting the best director's award, the self-confessed "indie film lifer" Baker gave an impassioned speech for independent films, which have taken a major financial hit amid declining DVD revenues.
"We want complete artistic freedom and the freedom to cast who is right for the role, not who the studios want us to cast, considering box office value or how many followers they have on social media," Baker said. "This is for all the other indie film lifers who are holding on and fighting the good fight."
Madison beat out Demi Moore ("The Substance") for the award, with both nominated for the best actress Oscar. Madison thanked Baker calling him "a wonderful friend and incredible Chihuahua owner. I'm so grateful that you came into my life," she said.
Backstage, Madison deflected any attention about potential Oscar success.
"I continuously go into these (award shows) not really expecting anything," said Madison. "I just am really grateful for the love that people have shown."
Jesse Eisenberg thanks 'A Real Pain' producer Emma Stone
Jesse Eisenberg won the best screenplay award for "A Real Pain," which he directed and starred in with Kieran Culkin. Eisenberg thanked producer Emma Stone. "She is definitely still the most famous person, yet also the most dedicated to encouraging me as a writer," Eisenberg said in his acceptance speech. "She's like my fairy godmother, and I am riding the coattails of her goodwill."
Netflix's 'Baby Reindeer' wins three awards at Indie Spirits
In the TV categories, FX's epic "Shōgun" won best scripted series, but "Baby Reindeer" dominated. The Netflix series about a struggling comedian stalked by an obsessed woman, grabbed three awards: Richard Gadd won best lead performance, Nava Mau won best supporting performance, and Jessica Gunning won best breakthrough performance.
Gadd, who won three Emmys for the limited series (which won six Emmys), said the Indie Spirit win marked the end of his awards season.
"It's been a real privilege these past six months," he said. "Coming from a small Scottish town and going on to being championed by the finest in Hollywood is absolutely crazy."
The actor, who had been a struggling comedian before finding TV success, thanked the Spirit Awards.
"I love how all the award shows are slightly different," said Gadd. "You've got the Emmys, and it's a big fancy thing. You've got the Golden Globes in the back of a hotel. And this is like an aircraft hangar on the beach. Any award that champions the underdog is absolutely right by me."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
31 minutes ago
- New York Post
Meghan Markle's pal, who previously blasted the royal family, slams social media ‘harassment campaign' against duchess
Meghan Markle's pal has spoken out against the persistent negative narrative surrounding the Duchess of Sussex, saying she has endured 'ridiculous lies' about her for years. Christopher Bouzy, a longtime ally of the Sussexes, said the 'Suits' alum, 43, constantly faces 'destructive' trolling on social media. Bouzy, head of the social media analysis firm Bot Sentinel, revealed that his company's investigation into the hate-fueled comments targeting the former working royal uncovered a concentrated group of social media accounts responsible for the attacks. Advertisement 'It would be easy to laugh at such absurdity if it weren't so destructive,' the tech entrepreneur told Newsweek. 'Over the years, these ridiculous lies have cascaded into a full-blown harassment campaign against Meghan and her family.' 5 Meghan Markle's pal has spoken out against the persistent negative narrative surrounding the Duchess of Sussex, saying she has endured 'ridiculous lies' about her for years. AP Advertisement Bouzy appeared on the couple's 2022 Netflix series, 'Harry & Meghan,' where he discussed his findings about the harassment campaign against the As Ever founder. 'We cannot ignore the real-world impact that this kind of sustained conspiracy harassment has,' he added. The duchess was widely mocked last week after she shared a rare video of her and Prince Harry dancing in the hospital while awaiting the birth of their daughter Lilibet in 2021. 5 Christopher Bouzy, a longtime ally of the Sussexes, said the 'Suits' alum, 43, constantly faces 'destructive' trolling on social media. Netflix Advertisement The video, which Markle uploaded on June 4 in honor of Lilibet's fourth birthday, showed the former actress 'drop it low' while dancing to Starrkeisha's then-viral song, 'The Baby Momma Dance,' while cradling her baby bump. 'Imagine, for a moment, what it would feel like to have some of the happiest and most vulnerable moments of your life turned into ammunition for hate,' Bouzy went on. 'Every maternity dress and every baby video becomes 'evidence' for strangers obsessively trying to prove your pregnancies were a sham. It is sickening and cruel.' 5 The duchess was widely mocked last week after she shared a rare video of her and Prince Harry dancing in the hospital while awaiting the birth of their daughter Lilibet in 2021. meghan/Instagram Advertisement The social media analyst mentioned the 'suicidal thoughts' Markle had faced at 'the height of the abuse,' saying 'one doesn't have to stretch to see a link between that despair and the ceaseless torrent of vilification she endured.' 'Beyond the personal toll on Meghan and Harry, there's a broader societal damage to consider. When conspiracy theories like these flourish, they corrode our collective grasp on reality and decency,' he added. Markle had previously said on the 'Teenage Therapy' podcast in 2020 that social media abuse against her had been 'almost unsurvivable.' 5 The video showed Markle 'drop it low' while dancing to Starrkeisha's then-viral song, 'The Baby Momma Dance.' meghan/Instagram Appearing alongside her husband on the podcast, the mom of two said she was told that 'in 2019, I was the most trolled person in the entire world – male or female.' '[For] eight months of that, I wasn't even visible, I was on maternity leave with the baby — but what was able to be manufactured and churned out, it's almost unsurvivable, it's so big you can't even think what that feels like,' she went on. 'I don't care if you're 15 or 25, if people are saying things about you that aren't true, what that does to your mental and emotional health is so damaging.' Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Advertisement Bouzy's contradicting comments may raise eyebrows among those who remember his own personal attacks against senior members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton, Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla. Bouzy once took aim at William's appearance, saying that the future king 'looks like a balding Muppet' in a post on X. In October 2021, he wrote on X, 'I'm sorry, but William and Kate look like Harry's aunt and uncle.' 5 Markle had previously said on the 'Teenage Therapy' podcast in 2020 that social media abuse against her had been 'almost unsurvivable.' Archewell Foundation via Getty Images Advertisement On another occasion, he said that the Prince and Princess of Wales are aging quickly, writing on X, 'I don't understand why, since they have a team of people who wait on them hand and foot 24/7.' Last year, Bouzy shockingly claimed that the royal family had 'lied' about Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis — and likened the heartbreaking video announcement to 'North Korean propaganda.'
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just dropped a trailer for its new star-studded romantic comedy series — and it looks like a hilarious watch
If you're a Netflix subscriber and a romantic comedy fan, you might be primed to fall in love with the streamer's upcoming series, "Too Much." That's based on the trailer, which the streaming giant just dropped for Lena Dunham's star-studded new Netflix rom-com this week, and promises to show the messy realities of falling in love. Check it out below: The trailer tees up the connection between our two leads — workaholic and New York expat Jessica (Megan Stalter) and Felix (Will Sharpe), a singer and so-called "walking series of red flags" — and shows off the sense of humor and some of the misadventures you can expect to see when the show hits the streaming service this summer. I've described "Too Much" as a "star-studded" show, and for good reason. Dunham described her cast as "an embarrassment of riches" (via Tudum), and you can expect to see appearances from Andrew Scott, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Jennifer Saunders, Rhea Perlman and many, many more in the show (you can find a full cast breakdown below). Excited? You don't have long to wait. The streaming giant has confirmed that "Too Much" will be available to stream on Netflix from Thursday, July 10. The "Too Much" trailer already helps sell the show's vibe and hints at some of the ups and downs that Jessica will face. If you want an even clearer picture of what to expect from the show, though, Netflix has already shared a full synopsis for the romantic comedy series. It reads: "Jessica (Megan Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block in New York tells a story of her own bad behavior, the only solution is to take a job in London, where she plans to live a life of solitude like a Brontë sister. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "But when she meets Felix (Will Sharpe) — a walking series of red flags — she finds that their unusual connection is impossible to ignore, even as it creates more problems than it solves. Now they have to ask themselves: do Americans and Brits actually speak the same language?" In addition to the above names, "Too Much" also stars Adèle Exarchopoulos, Adwoa Aboah, Andrew Rannells, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Emily Ratajkowski, Janicza Bravo, Jessica Alba, Kaori Momoi, Kit Harington, Leo Reich, Michael Zegen, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Rita Ora, and Rita Wilson. Need something new to stream while you wait? Be sure to check out our guide to the best Netflix comedies or our overall round-up of the best shows on Netflix for tons more streaming recommendations.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
Netflix's fun action-comedy series with Arnold Schwarzenegger is back — and you can binge-watch 2 seasons now
If you're after an easy binge-watch with big action and a bit of silliness, Netflix has something that might just hit the spot. 'Fubar,' the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led spy comedy, is back for a second season meaning both seasons are now available to stream in full. The show first premiered in 2023, marking Schwarzenegger's first TV role. While it didn't completely dominate the cultural conversation, it carved out a solid spot in Netflix's global top 10 and found a loyal audience who appreciated its mix of family dysfunction and over-the-top espionage. As of today (June 12), the series returns with eight new episodes that offer more family drama and gun fights. Whether you're coming back for more or thinking of giving it a shot for the first time, now's a good time to catch up. With 16 episodes total, 'Fubar' might not be highbrow TV, but it doesn't pretend to be. It's big, brash, and built for background binging, and sometimes, that's exactly what you want. So, here's a quick rundown of what to expect in season 2 and what the critics are saying, plus why 'Fubar' might be worth a spot on your Netflix watchlist this week. 'Fubar' follows Luke Brunner (Schwarzenegger), a seasoned CIA operative on the verge of retirement. His plans are upended when he's called back for one final mission only to discover that his daughter, Emma (Monica Barbaro), has also been secretly working for the CIA. Neither knew about the other's involvement in the agency, and they're suddenly forced to work together in the field. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Their first joint mission throws them into a dangerous operation involving a global arms dealer, requiring quick thinking and disguises. As they crisscross international locations and face life-threatening assignments, they struggle to adjust to each other's working styles and personal habits. Luke is old-school and instinct-driven, while Emma favors a modern, strategic approach. Their conflicting methods often clash, creating chaotic yet effective teamwork. The Brunners must find a way to survive each assignment without falling apart. 'Fubar' season 2 has only just landed on Netflix, so it doesn't have a Rotten Tomatoes score yet (at the time of writing). However, reviews have gone live already, and they seem pretty mixed so far. Collider's Jeff Ewing said: 'The core team shines, including Schwarzenegger, Barbaro, and Carter, who all earn dramatically interesting arcs throughout the season. The season's antagonists are well-written for their genre-spanning purposes, and the pace is breezy overall, with quick-moving plot developments.' Meanwhile, Gary Catig from Aipt stated that the show 'retains many of the qualities that made it so enjoyable. The humor is entertaining on several fronts. The cast always had good chemistry with each other so the playful quick quips back and forth are good for laughs. There are silly situations, and it's admirable that the cast fully commit to adding to the fun.' On the other hand, a fair number of negative reviews are commenting on how it's a step down from season 1. San Francisco Chronicle's Zaki Hasan said: 'Instead of evolving, creator Nick Santora's series doubles down on action movie cliches and strained punch lines. The result is a new season that plays like a B-movie but thinks it belongs in a big-budget franchise. With about 90 minutes of story sloshing around in an eight-hour bag, the show again proves nostalgia alone isn't enough.' Kenneth Seward Jr. from IGN believes the 'action isn't as exciting as it could be, the pacing drags whenever the focus shifts to the love triangle between Schwarzenegger, Fabiana Udenio, and second-season guest star Carrie-Anne Moss, and the thematically explosive mishaps aren't as impactful this time around.' In their one star review, Pramit Chatterjee from Digital Mafia Talkies labeled it 'the worst show of the year so far' and called the second season "an instrument of torture disguised as a TV show". Ouch. So yes, the reviews are very mixed, and it seems like 'Fubar' is specifically catered to those who love campy humor and some fun action, without any seriousness thrown into the mix. This is one of those shows you'll have to check out for yourself, and if you enjoyed season 1, you'll probably find something to like in the new season too. 'Fubar' season 2 is worth watching if you were a fan of the first season and are eager to continue the story. Even though the critics are divided, the premise sounds fun enough, and you can't really go wrong with Schwarzenegger engaging in gun fights and serious brawls (maybe even some tangoing). Season 2 once again centers around Luke, who thought he'd hung up his CIA badge, being yanked back into the field after his Emma accidentally derails his retirement during a mission. The Brunners and their team are forced into a cramped safe house, with power struggles quickly emerging as this dysfunctional squad tries to operate under one roof. Their mission escalates dramatically when they're tasked with stopping a terrorist named Dante Cress, who plans to topple the U.S. power grid and throw the country into chaos. Complicating the mission further is Greta Nelson (Carrie‑Anne Moss), Luke's former lover and a highly formidable ex-East German spy now aligned with Cress. So, if you want something light, action-packed, and easy to binge over the weekend, then season 2 might be worth hitting play on. But don't go in with high expectations, because based on the reviews alone it's not as enjoyable as the first season. And the quality seems to have dipped noticeably. Of course, 'Fubar' isn't a standout show in the spy comedy genre, but it still seems to deliver plenty of shootouts and snarky one-liners. Schwarzenegger is still having fun in the role, and the addition of Moss adds some welcome tension. It won't be for everyone, but if you're in the mood for a breezy comedy, 'Fubar' season 2 could fit the bill. You can stream 'Fubar' season 2 on Netflix now. For more streaming recommendations, see what else is new on Netflix in June 2025.
