BAFTA 2025 Viewers Call Out Unfair Wins & Praise True Winners – List

At the center of the debate were two major acting wins that many deemed undeserved, while several other performances were widely praised. From social media backlash to heartfelt tributes, here's a look at the most talked-about BAFTA 2025 wins—and what netizens had to say about them.

The Best Supporting Actress Win Sparks Debate

Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” delivering an emotional acceptance speech at the BAFTA Film Awards. She thanked director Jacques Audiard, her co-stars, and the film's crew, calling the project a “creative challenge of a lifetime.”

She also acknowledged her family, giving a special mention to her children and humorously referring to her husband as “God's favorite.” While the audience at the Royal Festival Hall applauded her win, many viewers online did not share the same enthusiasm.

Some argued that Saldaña should not have been in the supporting category, while others criticized the film itself. “She's not an actual supporting actress, and she won for a bad movie. Man, I love Zoe, but this is just so icky,” one user wrote.

One agreed, “I'm sorry but she does not deserve to be in the supporting categories.” Another commented, “Not deserved at all.” Some questioned whether “Emilia Pérez” was worthy of recognition at all. “I love Zoe, but Emilia Pérez shouldn't win anything,” a viewer remarked.

One person stated, “Have heard from critics on both sides of the aisle that the [Emilia Pérez] film was a complete dud. [Zoe Saldaña] seems like a very unhappy person, despite her success in acting.”

Saldaña was not the only winner to face backlash. Another major acting award also sparked debate, with critics and fans calling it an undeserved victory.

The Leading Actor Win Questioned

Adrien Brody won Best Leading Actor for his performance as László Tóth in “The Brutalist.” He delivered a speech in which he expressed gratitude to the BAFTA voters, his colleagues, and the British public. He acknowledged his fellow nominees, calling them “esteemed,” and reflected on the themes of the film.

While Brody received applause in the venue, his win was met with strong criticism online. Many viewers took issue with the fact that AI technology had been used to enhance his accent in the film, arguing that this gave him an unfair advantage.

“Considering that he used AI to improve his accent, I think he should be disqualified,” one person commented. Another added, “Undeserved, using AI to modify and enhance his accent.”

Beyond the AI concerns, some viewers felt that Brody's performance in “The Brutalist” was too similar to his past roles. One user compared it to his Oscar-winning turn in “The Pianist,” writing, “This is so silly—really ridiculous—award for the same role in The Pianist.”

Others argued that another nominee should have won instead. “Terrible actor. Chalamet should have won,” one person stated. The backlash was echoed in various social media platforms, where some users openly questioned whether the BAFTAs were favoring “The Brutalist” too heavily.

One post read, “Are the BAFTAs [censored] rigged or what?? The Brutalist is getting so many, and also Adrien Brody winning Leading Actor is so wrong… his voice was mixed with AI for a start but also all the other [censored] with him, I can't stand it.”

Another user simply wrote, “Adrien Brody should not be getting all these awards” while another echoed, “Adrien you don't deserve it.” Brody appeared moved by the recognition, thanking his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, and calling her “an angel.”

However, for many viewers, his win remained one of the most controversial moments of the night. While his award sparked debate, other BAFTA winners received overwhelming praise, with fans celebrating performances they felt were truly deserving.

Warwick Davis Honored with BAFTA Fellowship

Warwick Davis received one of the highest honors of the night—the BAFTA Fellowship—in recognition of his decades-long career in film and television. Presented by his longtime friend and Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton, the award celebrated Davis' contributions to the industry.

Taking the stage, Davis delivered a heartfelt speech filled with gratitude and humor. He acknowledged his mother as his “first agent” and credited his late wife, Samantha Davis, for always encouraging him throughout his career.

“She was always so supportive of my career, encouraging me to grab every opportunity with both hands,” he said, before joking, “However, I soon noticed that her level of enthusiasm for me taking on a particular role was often relative to how much she wanted that new designer handbag.

Davis also spoke about the difficulty of losing his wife nearly a year ago, sharing that his children, Annabel and Harrison, had been his source of strength. He expressed appreciation for their unwavering support, as well as for a person he referred to as “Sponge,” whom he credited with helping him rediscover joy and meaning in life.

His speech resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom took to social media to express their admiration. “I cried so hard when he talked about his wife's passing,” one commenter wrote. Another said, “I am so, so happy he's being recognized for his incredible body of work! Well done and well deserved!”

Many longtime fans celebrated his legacy, with one remarking, “He deserves it! I grew up watching him since Harry Potter!” The emotional moment stood out as a highlight of the night, with one viewer stating, “Warwick Davis had me in tears. One of the better award shows I've watched over fifty years as a film fan.”

As Davis received his well-earned recognition, other winners also found themselves at the center of online discussions—for many different reasons.

Mikey Madison's Best Leading Actress Win Applauded

Mikey Madison took home the Best Leading Actress award for her role as Ani in Anora. Visibly surprised, she admitted on stage that she had not prepared a speech. “Wow. I really wasn't expecting this. I probably should have listened to my publicist and wrote a speech or something,” she said with a laugh.

Despite being unprepared, Madison took the time to thank Anora director Sean Baker, calling him “an incredible person” and crediting him with making her dreams come true. She also expressed appreciation for her co-stars.

Madison gave a heartfelt mention to her mother, acknowledging her support throughout her career, from driving her to auditions to helping her memorize lines. Her win was met with overwhelming support from viewers, who praised both her performance and her genuine reaction on stage.

“Absolutely deserved this award, she was phenomenal!” one person commented. Another wrote, “Glad she won! She’s a very humble and pleasant girl.” Many fans celebrated what they saw as a long-overdue recognition of her talent, with one stating, “She deserves this so much. Next stop is winning an Oscar!”

Madison was not the only winner to receive widespread praise. Another rising star was also celebrated for their talent and growing influence in the industry.

David Jonsson Named EE Rising Star by Public Vote

David Jonsson was awarded the EE Rising Star Award, the only BAFTA category voted on by the public. Best known for his performances in “Rye Lane” and “Alien: Romulus,” Jonsson took the stage to accept the honor, visibly moved by the recognition.

In his speech, he thanked his team, directors, and casting agents who had taken a chance on him. He also acknowledged his family and loved ones before reflecting on his journey as an actor.

“I'm just an East London boy who, by way of reflection, didn't really see a space for me in this industry,” he said. “But this award is about the people, and as long as we keep telling stories about people, I think there'll be a space for me and for people like me.”

Fans widely celebrated his win, with many praising his speech and talent. “He deserves it,” one person wrote. Another added, “Great speech. Very well spoken, looking forward to seeing more from him.” Others echoed the sentiment, calling him a “brilliant actor” and describing his win and speech as “brilliant.“

Jonsson's victory stood out as one of the evening's most positively received moments. Another acting award drew attention, with viewers agreeing it was given to a deserving recipient.

Kieran Culkin Wins Best Supporting Actor but Skips BAFTAs

Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Benji in “A Real Pain,” but he was unable to attend the ceremony. Jesse Eisenberg, who directed and co-starred in the film, accepted the award on his behalf, explaining Culkin's absence.

“We spoke this morning. He's in New York with a family member who’s quite sick,” Eisenberg explained. He went on to praise Culkin's devotion to his family, recalling how the actor nearly dropped out of “A Real Pain” just weeks before filming to avoid being away from his children.

“He is one of these lovely people who's brilliantly talented but, for some random luck of the cosmos, has his priorities in order,” Eisenberg added. Despite Culkin's absence, his win was widely celebrated.

“Deserved,” one viewer wrote, while another commented, “Kieran Culkin takes home a well-deserved honor!” Others agreed, with one post stating, “Well earned, awesome work.” However, not everyone was pleased that Culkin did not attend the ceremony.

“You would have thought his team could have figured out HOW he can be attending the most important chapter in his career,” one person wrote. Another remarked, “Not showing up to accept is not a good idea.”

Regardless of the mixed reactions to his absence, Culkin's performance in “A Real Pain” was widely praised, making his win one of the least disputed of the night.