March 2, 2025
WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW
Presenting our 4th annual Bitesize Awards!
You know the drill… similar to the Bitesize Top Five, each writer ranks their Top 10 selections for each awards category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied, we have our nominees. Finally, we voted on each award using the same method to get our winners. Of note, though, we made two changes this year…
One, instead of doing a write-up for every single nominee, which last year resulted in an 8500-word article that was definitely a lot to read, we decided to just do write-ups for the winners. Also, if you click on the movie name above the write-up or in the “Other Nominees” list, you’ll be redirected to our posted reviews for that movie. Neat, right? That said, if you like the old way better, let us know on social media!
Two, instead of having a category for Best Animated Feature, we decided to open that category up to all family-friendly movies. To be eligible, it must be a film aimed at families with a rating of G or PG, which means everything from Harold and the Purple Crayon to The Garfield Movie were eligible, but Memoir of a Snail and Marvel movies were not. Why the change? Truth be told, we found the pool of animated movies seen by our writers was on the smaller side, so the nominees ended up being “seen by the most writers” as opposed to any real mark of quality. So, introducing the FTK (For the Kids? Or maybe something else *wink*) Award!
So, without further ado, here we go!
BEST MUSIC
I don’t know what the Academy was thinking, but we weren’t going to let this hypnotic, pitch-perfect score for the energetic, sex-fueled (YES, Q, SEX-FUELED), and propulsive Challengers go unnoticed. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have proven time and again that they can fit any style of film, creating a score that feels like a character… and, boy, do they deliver once again with immaculate execution. The score is dangerous and lively, making the “love” triangle between Tashi (Zendaya), Art (Mike Faist), and Patrick (Josh O’Connor) feel that much more volatile, all the way to one of 2024’s most heart-racing finales. That scene will live amongst the sports movie greats, and the score is a big reason for it. Bravo, gentlemen, you can take this Bitesize award and place it alongside your other Oscars. — Amarú
Other Nominees:
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
MIKEY MADISON (ANORA)
When I first saw Anora, I thought Mikey Madison gave a very good lead performance; however, because of the authenticity Sean Baker created, I unfairly assumed this was an example of someone exactly suited to a role that wasn't far off from who they are in real life — the “playing themselves” criticism. Then I started watching Madison in interviews, learning not only how different she is from her film counterpart, but how much she put into this character. Whether it’s her emotional outbursts, her comedic sensibilities, or her more tender side, Ani requires a lot of Madison, and she nails each aspect. I've learned of her range, I've realized her star power, and I apologize for ever doubting any aspect of this performance. Mikey Madison is the real deal, and she has arrived. — Nick
Other Nominees:
CLARENCE MACLIN (SING SING)
DAVID JONSSON (ALIEN: ROMULUS)
WILLA FITZGERALD (STRANGE DARLING)
YURA BORISOV (ANORA)
HIDDEN GEM
STRANGE DARLING In a year when most horror offerings were overshadowed by Longlegs and The Substance, Strange Darling flew under the radar due to its lack of star power, non-existent marketing, and a late summer release opposite the well-received, star-driven Blink Twice. Those who let Strange Darling slip through the cracks should make every effort to rectify that immediately because it boasts terrific performances from Kyle Gallner and (especially) Willa Fitzgerald, the best use of non-linear storytelling outside of a Quentin Tarantino film, a brilliant subversion of expectations, and a 70s-inspired vibe that recalls The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. On top of that, it’s sexy, twisty, intense, and thoroughly engaging. It’s more of a thriller than a “scary” horror movie, but that doesn’t mean it’s without moments of terror. Either way, whatever you call it, be sure to call it one of the best genre movies of 2024, if not the decade. And you’ve probably never heard of it until now. — Quentin
Other Nominees:
IN ALL SERIOUSNESS AWARD
Every year we have a statement film in our awards that the Academy seemingly forgot about. This year, that film is Civil War. Receiving three Bitesize Award nominations, we all agreed Civil War was underrated. With the level of tension permeating throughout, paired with the real-life political possibilities, one could argue that this belongs in the Adrenaline or even Nightmare categories, but we landed on In All Seriousness, our drama category. Either way, this is one of the best films of the year and a return to form for director Alex Garland following the underwhelming Men. — Nick
Other Nominees:
CONCLAVE
EMILIA PÉREZ
THE APPRENTICE
ADRENALINE AWARD
One of the weirdest complaints I heard about Dune: Part One was that it was mostly talking and not a lot of action or thrills, which I don't get since almost the entire back half of the film had action. Nevertheless, those who complained must feel satisfied now. Dune: Part Two has some moments where my adrenaline reached unhealthy highs. The scene where Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) first rides a sandworm is more than enough to earn this victory, but considering the level of tension throughout the film, not to mention the setpieces (the ambush on the Sardaukar? The fight between Paul Atreides and Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler)?), director Denis Villeneuve delivers more than enough to keep the thrill junkie in you satisfied while we wait for Part Three, a.k.a Messiah. — Adriano
Other Nominees:
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
THE FALL GUY
REBEL RIDGE
LAUGH OUT LOUD AWARD
For all the tragic undertones and darkness that hovers over Anora, at the end of the day, this is a screwball comedy… and one hell of a hilarious one, too. Director Sean Baker has always been good at this kind of absurdist humour while still staying grounded, and Anora takes it up a huge notch. The 20-minute break-in scene alone proves my point, as the entire sequence is so chaotic that you can't help but laugh. Even outside that sequence, especially in the film’s second half, the cast and Baker are delivering non-stop hilarity and one-liners that made me and every audience I watched this movie with belt out in laughter. — Adriano
Other Nominees:
NIGHTMARE AWARD
The Substance was one of the most exciting, shocking, and talked about films of 2024. Coralie Fargeat’s incredible body horror savagely attacks and satirises patriarchal beauty standards, ageism, and misogyny in Hollywood whilst also being outrageously entertaining and indulgently stomach-turning. I pride myself on being able to watch horror that makes most people cover their eyes, but even I couldn’t handle the visceral, all-encompassing nightmare of The Substance, which is to say it featured some of the most spectacular physical effects I’ve ever seen. Together with the thrilling story, distinctive visual style, evocative set design, and the phenomenal performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, The Substance is a clear winner. — Katie
Other Nominees:
FTK AWARD
As a 43-year-old childless man, family movies don’t do much for me anymore. It’s not that they’re bad, but most of them either explore themes I don’t relate to (Inside Out 2) or feel like mindless toy commercials (Sonic the Hedgehog 3). Plus, I’m an old cynic who has seen and done some things. PG- and G-rated entertainment typically comes across as trivial and neutered to me. That said, Flow is a modern masterpiece that already is one of my favorite animated movies of all time. I’m sure the fact that I have a cat, I played Stray, and I’m constantly having cat videos shoved in my face helped Flow strike a nerve, but the movie nonetheless remains a visually beautiful tale of found family, class dynamics, survival, and the effects of climate change. Despite there being zero dialogue, the film provides surprisingly deep characterizations that lead to spellbinding and emotional attachments to the animals on screen as they navigate some stressful situations. Cute enough for the youngest toddlers yet poignant enough for the most jaded adults, Flow is the rare family film that truly is for the whole family. — Quentin
Other Nominees:
THE WILD ROBOT
WICKED
INSIDE OUT 2
IF
BEST DIRECTOR
DENIS VILLENEUVE (DUNE: PART TWO)
I haven’t been shy about the fact that I didn't love Dune: Part One (I liked it, just didn’t love it), so when the outcry came for Denis Villeneuve’s snub last year, I wasn’t stunned. After Dune: Part Two, I’m now stunned. Aside from the fact that this sequel is far greater than its predecessor, the idea that you could nominate anything from this film and have it not be Villeneuve is nuts. Thankfully, we here at Bitesize have rectified that with not only a nomination, but the win! Dune: Part Two is one of the best directed films I’ve seen in a very long time, especially considering everything that needed to go right to make it work. The film is visually sensational and isn’t dragged down with the lore and exposition of Part One, doing it all while staying true to the source material. We obviously haven’t seen Messiah yet, but if it reaches the heights of this one and Villeneuve doesn’t get his flowers, I think we riot. — Nick
Other Nominees:
CORALIE FARGEAT (THE SUBSTANCE)
ALEX GARLAND (CIVIL WAR)
SEAN BAKER (ANORA)
BRADY CORBET (THE BRUTALIST)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
ZOE SALDAÑA (EMILIA PÉREZ)
Zoe Saldaña might be one of this generation’s most overlooked actresses when it comes to just how successful she truly has been, having huge roles in the top three highest grossing movies of all time (both Avatar films and Avengers: Endgame) and four of the top six when you add Infinity War, not to mention roles in other successful franchises like Star Trek and Pirates of the Caribbean. She is a franchise queen who has never phoned in a performance, but being that much of her work is in blockbuster tentpoles, her brilliance is glossed over. Not this time, and not in THIS movie. Truth be told, she was almost overshadowed again for negative reasons beyond her control, but I’m so glad that her powerful performance, utter dedication, and absolute “It” factor that comes from her acting in her native language cut through all the noise. No matter what you may think of the film, there is no denying that Saldaña acted her ass off. She would be a contender in this category or as lead actress, which she basically performed as for the entire runtime. — Amarú
Other Nominees:
FELICITY JONES (THE BRUTALIST) MARGARET QUALLEY (THE SUBSTANCE)
NATASHA LYONNE (HIS THREE DAUGHTERS)
ARIANA GRANDE (WICKED)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
JEREMY STRONG (THE APPRENTICE)
Jeremy Strong’s performance as Donald Trump’s (Sebastian Stan) deplorable mentor Roy Cohn is one of my favourite performances of 2024. For me, the success of the entire film rests on how morbidly fascinating Cohn’s relationship with Trump was, which is driven by Strong’s chillingly compelling presence. He approaches the character with a sense of restraint and ever-present threat, his expression blank and controlled yet emanating evil. However, somehow, he also manages to elicit a semblance of empathy from me, which is really saying something considering who he’s playing. Furthermore, it's incredibly impressive that Strong manages to stand out alongside Stan’s career-best performance, supporting the main character whilst never being overshadowed. — Katie
Other Nominees:
CHRIS HEMSWORTH (FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA)
CLARENCE MACLIN (SING SING)
JESSE PLEMONS (CIVIL WAR)
YURA BORISOV (ANORA)
BEST ACTRESS
MIKEY MADISON (ANORA)
In a year full of impressive performances, my favorite performance of the year is Mikey Madison's portrayal of Ani Mikheeva in Sean Baker's Anora. Her character may entice you with her beauty and charm at first, but as the story progresses, you start to adore the complexity and imperfections that Madison was able to bring to the role. Her portrayal is not only incredibly nuanced, but also invigorating and admirable. Madison proved that she is a formidable force and an actress who should be taken seriously in this business. After this star-making performance, the sky's the limit for her, and I can’t wait to see what she tackles next. — Paige
Other Nominees:
DEMI MOORE (THE SUBSTANCE)
KARLA SOFÍA GASCÓN (EMILIA PÉREZ)
WILLA FITZGERALD (STRANGE DARLING)
NAOMI SCOTT (SMILE 2)
BEST ACTOR
SEBASTIAN STAN (THE APPRENTICE)
Regardless of what your politics may be, I think most of us would agree that, as a society, we’ve grown a little tired of seeing Donald Trump and Donald Trump impressions on our screens over the past eight years. Whether it be contentious White House press conferences or Alec Baldwin on Saturday Night Live, I think we’re all just a little over it. But that makes what Sebastian Stan does as Trump in The Apprentice all the more impressive. Despite the constant media barrage of Trump (real person and impersonated), Stan shines so brightly as the real estate mogul turned politician that you’re genuinely engaged in his rise to power. You want to watch, especially as Stan imbues the controversial President with nuance and layers that make him surprisingly sympathetic even though the portrait being painted isn’t at all flattering. The fact that he’s able to capture Trump’s mannerisms and speaking cadence without slipping into parody only adds to just how phenomenal Stan is in this movie. — Quentin
Other Nominees:
ADRIEN BRODY (THE BRUTALIST)
TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET (A COMPLETE UNKNOWN)
COLMAN DOMINGO (SING SING)
RALPH FIENNES (CONCLAVE)
BEST ENSEMBLE
When I saw Nicholas Braun pop up twice as two different characters in Saturday Night, I had to do a double take to make sure I was seeing things correctly. By then, though, I was already all in with the spirit-inhabiting ensemble I had been thoroughly entertained by. The surprise of seeing him play Jim Henson after already getting used to and loving his Andy Kaufman just solidified how great this cast is. Even more, I wasn’t sitting there saying, “oh wow, Lamorne Morris is a great Garrett Morris,” or “Dylan O’Brien is the perfect Dan Aykroyd.” Instead, I simply was enthralled by their singular performances that moved this extremely well-paced thrill ride forward with perfect comedic timing, electric chemistry, and total dedication to matching each other’s chaos, all lead by Gabrielle LaBelle’s excellent performance as Lorne Michaels. Yeah, I knew who each of these actors were playing, but I didn’t feel like they were trying to imitate the SNL legends, only that they were trying to capture their essence. They delivered on all fronts. — Amarú
Other Nominees:
SING SING
CONCLAVE
ANORA
DUNE: PART TWO
BEST PICTURE
Denis Villeneuve’s second installment of this franchise is true cinema, solidifying itself among the best sci-fi adaptations to ever grace the big screen. Beyond the film’s astonishing visual spectacle, exquisite set pieces, breathtaking cinematography by Greig Fraser, and powerful score by Hans Zimmer, Dune: Part Two not only builds on the political and social commentary introduced in Part One, but on real world themes we face today. Every line manages to have significance, and every frame has magnitude. From the captivating performances from the entire ensemble cast to Villeneuve's brilliant mind as a storyteller, this is a film that us cinephiles will look back on in 50 years and still consider to be a masterpiece. — Paige
Other Nominees: