Paul Thomas Anderson Drama “One Battle After Another” Wins NYFCC Best Film

The New York Film Critics Circle named its top film of the year. “One Battle After Another” won Best Film for 2025. The announcement was made on December 2nd in New York. This marks a major early victory for the Paul Thomas Anderson drama.

The win provides significant momentum for the film’s awards season campaign. According to industry reports, the NYFCC is a key early indicator of critical favor. Its choices often influence other major voting bodies.

Key Winners and Awards Season Momentum

Benicio del Toro won Best Supporting Actor for the same film. His performance has been widely praised by critics. This adds to the movie’s growing trophy haul.

Jafar Panahi won Best Director for “It Was Just an Accident.” This film also won the top prize at the Gotham Awards just one day prior. The double win signals strong support from both critic groups.

Wagner Moura won Best Actor for “The Secret Agent.” That film also took the award for Best International Film. Rose Byrne secured Best Actress for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”

Other winners included Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” for Best Screenplay. “KPop Demon Hunters” was named Best Animated Film. The documentary winner was “My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow.”

Analyzing the Early Awards Landscape

The results show a clear consolidation of support around a few titles. Repeats from the Gotham Awards suggest a critical consensus is forming early. This can shape perceptions for the rest of the season.

For studios, these early critic awards are invaluable. They generate headlines and build narrative momentum. Voters in larger groups often take note of these selections.

The impact on audiences is more indirect. Winning these awards boosts a film’s prestige. This can translate into greater interest and box office performance during limited releases.

The NYFCC Best Film award is a prestigious launchpad for the Oscars race. “One Battle After Another” now enters that conversation with a major credential. The full awards season picture will become clearer in the coming weeks.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What is the New York Film Critics Circle?

The NYFCC is a group of film critics from New York-based publications. Founded in 1935, it votes on annual awards. Its choices are seen as influential early indicators in awards season.

Q2: Who won Best Director?

Jafar Panahi won Best Director for “It Was Just an Accident.” This was his second major award in two days. He also won the comparable award at the 2025 Gotham Awards.

Q3: Which film won the most awards?

“One Battle After Another” and “The Secret Agent” each won two awards. The former won Best Film and Best Supporting Actor. The latter won Best International Film and Best Actor for Wagner Moura.

Q4: How do these awards affect the Oscars?

Early critic awards help build momentum and visibility. They can influence voting members of larger groups. However, they do not guarantee Oscar nominations or wins.

Q5: When were the winners announced?

The New York Film Critics Circle announced its 2025 winners on December 2nd. The group met in New York to vote on films from the calendar year. An awards ceremony will be held in January.

Q6: What won Best Animated Film?

The award for Best Animated Film went to “KPop Demon Hunters.” This category highlights excellence in feature-length animation. The winner is selected from all eligible animated releases during the year.