From Brendan Fraser‘s emotional speech to Sheryl Lee Ralph’s empowering message – the winning titles (and actors) of 28th Critics Choice Awards 2023 have left a mark on Hollywood, including India’s Tollywood flick, RRR. But the spotlight certainly goes to Everything Everywhere All At Once for bagging the Best Picture while competing against James Cameron‘s Avatar 2 and many more worthy titles. Here’s a recap of the best moments from the awards ceremony, going by social media reactions.
2023’s Critics Choice Awards will surely go down as a memorable ceremony thanks to the star-studded actors, directors and other creatives that were present for the show which was broadcasted on The CW from The Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday. Ironically, even the network got its well-earned exposure thanks to the CCA’s presenter Seth Rogen‘s jest aimed at The CW, mocking it as the “one network to receive zero Critics Choice nominations,” He later ended his joke stating, “We’re on your least favorite network. How did that happen?” (via: Variety). However, that was far from the highlight of the ceremony.
Brendan Fraser winning the Best Actor for his standing-ovation performance in The Whale was an impactful moment for the entire film team. Fraser began crying after hearing out his name by the announcer but his speech left the Critics Choice Awards attendees also emotional.
Damn.
Brendan Frasiers acceptance speech at the #CriticsChoiceAwards got me.pic.twitter.com/gE0bhWdPly
— Aaron S Bailey 🚀⚡ (@AaronBaileyArt) January 16, 2023
Brendan Fraser's acceptance speech for The Whale at the #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/jxQsEfQfKo
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 16, 2023
Brendan Fraser’s acceptance speech after winning Best Actor 😭🖤 #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/iQgFe4FnjS
— Natalie ❁ (@livelyackles) January 16, 2023
It was clear the Critics Choice Awards was going to be a rollercoaster of emotions as Everything Everywhere All At Once won Best Picture and in addition, Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor. The EEAO star and Brendan Fraser shared a wholesome moment during their backstage interview when Ke Huy Quan ran up to The Whale star and hugged him.
The #EverythingEverywhereAllatOnce cast celebrating their Best Picture win at #CriticsChoiceAwards with Brendan Fraser!!!https://t.co/QiCrkgJBq4 pic.twitter.com/khxmvWAhTi
— KTLA Entertainment (@ktlaENT) January 16, 2023
Ke Huy Quan runs over and congratulates Brendan Fraser on winning Best Actor at the #CriticsChoiceAwards
See the full winners list: https://t.co/7bQikYHEAM pic.twitter.com/DERi0KIX5V
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 16, 2023
Congratulations to #KeHuyQuan on winning the Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once!
Love the hug from #MichelleYeoh ❤️ #criticschoice #criticschoiceawards pic.twitter.com/0E95Y0gVts
— Critics Choice Awards (@CriticsChoice) January 16, 2023
Andrew Garfield cheering on Zendaya’s win 😭 #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/zgwZ6EHIvK
— Natalie ❁ (@livelyackles) January 16, 2023
Similar to Fraser, Sheryl Lee Ralph, who won the Best Supporting Actress, delivered a powerful acceptance speech that was called by many fans on the internet as deserving of an Emmy. “People don’t have to like you. People don’t have to love you. They don’t even have to respect you. But when you look in the mirror, you better love what you see.”
"People don't have to like you. People don't have to love you. They don't even have to respect you. But when you look in the mirror, you better love what you see." – Sheryl Lee Ralph #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/vBZfh3ursX
— MICHA3L (@bashful_michael) January 16, 2023
“People don’t have to like you.” -Sheryl Lee Ralph #CriticsChoiceAwards2023 #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/Vgbz43Xrdm
— Reshma Gopaldas (@reshingbull) January 16, 2023
Another standout moment at the CAA came from Spider-Man: No Way Home star Andrew Garfield, for his reaction when Zendaya was announced as the winner for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria. Garfield was cheering on from his seat with a thumbs-up aimed at the camera.
The way Andrew Garfield was cheering for Zendaya after her win at the #CriticsChoiceAwards–even though she couldn't make it to the show. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Z0DNUlUAk8
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) January 16, 2023
The Better Call Saul family also got their well-deserved win by bagging the Best Drama Series category. Moreover, Bob Odenkirk won Best Actor while Giancarlo Esposito took home Best Supporting Actor.
When Bob Odenkirk won Best Actor for #BetterCallSaul at the #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/Z04sAb61g7
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) January 16, 2023
While Indian cinema’s RRR faced tough competition with director S. S. Rajamouli losing in the Best Director category – the Telugu movie still managed to win two awards for Best Foreign Film and Best Song, similar to its Golden Globes win. Its’ victory at CAA has fans as well as the RRR team confident in its Oscar race.
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOO#CriticsChoiceAwards #RRRForOscars pic.twitter.com/0u6rE2XN7n
— maxance vincent (@MaxFromQuebec) January 16, 2023
#RRR wins #CriticsChoiceAwards Best Foreign Film. 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/oh9pu8cwpB
— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen) January 16, 2023
Naatu Naatu Again!! 🕺🕺❤️🔥
Extremely delighted to share that we won the #CriticsChoiceAwards for the BEST SONG💥💥 #RRRMovie
Here’s @mmkeeravaani’s acceptance speech!! pic.twitter.com/d4qcxXkMf7
— RRR Movie (@RRRMovie) January 16, 2023
Eight months of consistently championing this magnificent film here has finally paid off — massive congrats to @ssrajamouli on this incredible and historic achievement at the #CriticsChoiceAwards. Now onto the Oscars! #RRRForOscars pic.twitter.com/pbTSHqZjuM
— maxance vincent (@MaxFromQuebec) January 16, 2023
All in all, the Critics Choice Award has only amplified cinephile’s desire to see the winners at this year’s Oscars. Readers interested in viewing the red-carpet interviews from the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards can check out the recorded broadcast below.
