Oscars Reflect Anxious Moment as 'One Battle After Another' Wins Big

The 98th Academy Awards grappled with war, political turmoil, and the future of film in an AI-driven world.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:14pm

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The 98th Academy Awards ceremony was marked by a sense of high anxiety, as the Oscars took place against the backdrop of war, political upheaval, and uncertainty about the future of the film industry. The night's big winner, Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another,' a father-daughter saga exploring themes of revolution, immigrant detention, and white supremacy, resonated with the times. Throughout the ceremony, winners struggled to find the right words to address the fraught state of the world, often turning their attention to the future and the well-being of younger generations.

Why it matters

The connection between the films honored and the current events unfolding off-screen made the 98th Oscars an appropriately destabilized affair. For the first time in a long time, the movies and the Oscars were almost in step with the moment, reflecting the rapidly shifting ground in Hollywood as the industry faces tectonic shifts, including major studio mergers and the decline of theatrical film production.

The details

The night's big winner, 'One Battle After Another,' triumphed in part because it spoke to the current moment, with director Paul Thomas Anderson acknowledging the film's parallels to daily news events. Other award-winning films, like the apocalyptic road movie 'Sirāt,' the Iranian revenge drama 'It Was Just an Accident,' and Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners,' also grappled with pressing social and political issues. The ceremony was marked by a sense of unease, with host Conan O'Brien joking that he may be the 'last human host' of the Oscars as the show moves to YouTube in three years.

  • The 98th Academy Awards ceremony took place on March 16, 2026.
  • The last time the Oscars took place just after a U.S. launch of war in the Middle East was in 2003, when the musical 'Chicago' won best picture.

The players

Paul Thomas Anderson

The director of 'One Battle After Another,' which won six Oscars, including best picture, best director, and best adapted screenplay. Anderson acknowledged the film's relevance to current events.

Conan O'Brien

The host of the 98th Academy Awards, who joked about being the 'last human host' of the Oscars as the show moves to YouTube in the future.

Javier Bardem

A presenter at the Oscars who stated forthrightly, 'No to war, and free Palestine.'

Pavel Talankin

The schoolteacher featured in the best documentary winner 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin,' who called for an end to all wars.

Jessie Buckley

The best actress winner for her role in 'Hamnet,' who spoke about the promise of the future and her desire to have '20,000 more babies' with her husband.

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What they’re saying

“We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience and that rarest of qualities today — optimism. We're going to celebrate. Not because we think all is well, but because we work, and hope for better.”

— Conan O'Brien, Host

“Our film obviously has a certain amount of parallels to what's happening in the news every day. In terms of where it's going, I don't know. But I know that the end of our movie is our hero, Willa, heading off to continue to fight against evil forces, and, I think, like I said in my speech, bring at least common sense and decency back into fashion.”

— Paul Thomas Anderson, Director, 'One Battle After Another'

“No to war, and free Palestine.”

— Javier Bardem

“In the name of our future, in the name of all of our children, stop all of these wars now.”

— Pavel Talankin, Schoolteacher, 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin'

“I want to end by paraphrasing the wonderful American writer James Baldwin, who makes us remember that all adults are responsible for all children. Let's not vote for politicians who don't take this seriously into account.”

— Joachim Trier, Director, 'Sentimental Value'

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This Oscars ceremony reflected the anxious state of the world, with winners grappling to find the right words to address the fraught political and social climate. The triumph of 'One Battle After Another' and other socially conscious films highlighted Hollywood's struggle to remain relevant and meaningful in a time of upheaval, while also raising questions about the future of the industry and the role it can play in shaping a better world for the next generation.