Sinners: Wunmi Mosaku Triumphs as One Battle After Another Dominates Baftas Night
The Baftas delivered shocks and crowning moments as Wunmi Mosaku won best supporting actress for sinners and One Battle After Another was named best film. The ceremony combined surprise victories, veteran recognition and emotional speeches that left winners and the room reeling.
Sinners and Mosaku: a breakthrough win
Wunmi Mosaku took the best supporting actress prize for her role as Hoodoo priestess Annie in the musical horror film Sinners. Mosaku said she was really shocked by the win and described finding parts of herself — hopes, ancestral power and connection — that she thought she had lost or tried to dim as an immigrant trying to fit in. The 39-year-old, born in Nigeria and raised in Manchester, moved with her family from the historic Nigerian city of Zaria to Manchester when she was one year old.
Mosaku is the first black British winner of the supporting actress category at the film awards. She noted the response from black women who said they felt seen, loved, valued and treasured, and described how that reaction turned feelings of loneliness into an unexpected kinship with women she had never met. Mosaku, who is pregnant, said she lost her breath in the moment and could hardly believe the result. She also thanked her daughter, calling her the greatest teacher.
How Sinners fared across categories
In addition to Mosaku’s acting prize, Sinners won a Bafta for best original screenplay. Jack O'Connell and Mosaku have been singled out for praise for their roles in the film. Mosaku has also been tipped for an Oscar for her portrayal of Annie.
One Battle After Another: best film and multiple wins
One Battle After Another was named best film, defeating Hamnet and Sinners. Sara Murphy accepted the best film trophy and paid tribute to Adam Somner in her remarks. Glenn Close presented the final award. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another had been nominated in a large number of categories — a total of 14 nominations — and emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners. Anderson himself spoke during the ceremony and told detractors of film the blunt message to "piss off" in a moment that underlined the director’s defiant tone.
Acting surprises: Robert Aramayo and Jessie Buckley
The ceremony produced a major upset when Robert Aramayo was named best actor for I Swear, a result described by observers as a shock. Aramayo was visibly overwhelmed, fighting back tears during his speech; fellow nominees reacted with genuine pleasure, with one high-profile peer looking especially thrilled. Jessie Buckley won best actress for Hamnet, a result that drew less surprise. Buckley reflected on early memories of arriving in London and the theatrical oddities of that time, recalling an early look she described as extreme fake tan.
Cillian Murphy presented the best actress award; the announcement followed a night that also featured an unexpected announcement about a Peaky Blinders film, which energized the audience.
Sean Penn’s first BAFTA and ceremony broadcast details
Sean Penn claimed his first-ever Bafta, winning best supporting actor for his portrayal of Steven J. Lockjaw in One Battle After Another. Penn was not in London to collect the award. The win represented a long-awaited victory after earlier nominations: he had been nominated in 2003 for leading roles in Mystic River and 21 Grams, and again in 2008 for Milk. The film awards ceremony was hosted by Alan Cumming and was broadcast on UK television at 7 p. m. local time and in the United States at 8 p. m. ET.
Ceremony highs and strange moments
The evening was described by onlookers as a weird mix of triumph and awkwardness. Long monologues stretched into montage sequences, and one startling moment involved a man with Tourette syndrome shouting a swearword at Paddington Bear. Commentators noted that the Best British Film category felt stronger than the main slate on the night, while other segments dragged. Still, several standout wins — including Aramayo’s unexpected best actor victory and Mosaku’s historic supporting actress triumph — ensured the ceremony will be remembered for its highs and its oddities.
What to watch next
With several surprise results and high-profile winners, attention will now turn to how these Bafta outcomes influence awards season conversations. Certain winners have been flagged by observers as potential contenders for future prizes. Details remain subject to change as reactions and follow-up coverage continue to emerge.
