Peter Bradshaw’s Detailed Account of the 2026 Oscars Ceremony

The 2026 Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, were a surreal and politically tense event. With heightened security due to a potential drone threat from Iran following President Trump’s unexplained attack, the ceremony mixed glamour with caution. The experience for attendees, including The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw, was both chaotic and fascinating, involving sniffer dogs, passport checks, and logistical mishaps around theatre entry. Hollywood’s current anxieties over AI and streaming dominated conversations, while Timothée Chalamet caused controversy with a comment on cinema and the potential decline of movie-going. The ceremony itself was lively, with Conan O’Brien hosting and Matt Berry providing announcements, and the red carpet was a frenzy of celebrity sightings and fan excitement, particularly around the popular film KPop Demon Hunters. Notable moments included Adrien Brody’s offbeat antics, a moving In Memoriam tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner delivered by Billy Crystal, and the unique opportunity for Bradshaw to hold the Oscars won by Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata for Two People Exchanging Saliva. Despite the occasional gaffe and the surreal atmosphere, the Oscars of 2026 retained a sense of dignity and celebration of cinema, with major wins for films such as Sinners and One Battle After Another.