Staff Reports
The 97th Academy Awards, held this past weekend, revealed more than just Hollywood’s cinematic achievements—it exposed the deepening rift between the entertainment industry and its audience. Once a night of glitz and celebration, the Oscars have increasingly become a stage for political grandstanding and ideological posturing. This year’s ceremony was no exception, as winners used their moments in the spotlight to champion divisive causes, leaving many viewers questioning whether the Academy has lost sight of its purpose: honoring storytelling and artistry.
One of the most controversial moments of the night came with the Best Documentary win for No Other Land, a film that portrays the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a distinctly pro-Palestinian lens. Co-directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham used their acceptance speech to call for an end to what they described as “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians, a statement that many found inflammatory given recent events, including Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel just months ago. While Hollywood often prides itself on promoting peace and understanding, this moment felt less like a plea for unity and more like an unbalanced condemnation that ignored the complexities of the conflict. For conservatives, this was yet another example of Hollywood’s selective outrage—quick to critique Israel while remaining silent on the atrocities committed by groups like Hamas.
Adding to the evening’s ideological tilt was Mikey Madison’s acceptance speech for Best Actress in Anora, a film about a sex worker navigating life in New York City. Madison took the opportunity to thank and honor the sex worker community, framing her role as a celebration of empowerment within an industry often marked by exploitation and abuse. While her sentiment may resonate with some progressive circles, it underscores Hollywood’s growing tendency to glorify lifestyles that many Americans view as morally fraught. Conservatives might argue that such narratives are emblematic of an industry increasingly disconnected from traditional values, prioritizing virtue-signaling over meaningful commentary.
The ceremony wasn’t entirely devoid of levity or charm. Kieran Culkin’s lighthearted speech after winning Best Supporting Actor offered a rare moment of genuine human connection amid the night’s heavy-handed rhetoric. Reflecting on his family and joking about expanding it, Culkin reminded viewers that Hollywood can still deliver authenticity when it chooses to focus on personal stories rather than political agendas. Unfortunately, such moments were few and far between, overshadowed by speeches that seemed more concerned with making headlines than celebrating cinematic craft.
Perhaps most troubling was how the Oscars highlighted Hollywood’s glaring contradictions. While winners like Madison lauded sex work as empowering, films like Anora simultaneously portrayed it as fraught with hardship—a tension that reveals an industry unsure of its messaging. Similarly, while No Other Land called for peace and justice, its one-sided narrative ignored the broader realities of terrorism and violence that complicate such ideals. These inconsistencies not only confuse audiences but also erode trust in Hollywood as a credible voice on social issues.
As ratings for the Oscars continue to plummet, it’s clear that many Americans are tuning out—not because they don’t appreciate great films but because they’re tired of being lectured by an elite class seemingly out of touch with their values. If Hollywood wants to regain its audience, it must refocus on what made it great in the first place: compelling stories that unite rather than divide. Until then, events like this year’s Oscars will remain more spectacle than celebration—a reflection not of artistic excellence but of an industry increasingly consumed by its ideological echo chamber.
