It was Christopher Nolan’s night time. Probably the most profitable British filmmaker since Alfred Hitchcock lastly obtained some recognition from the British movie business. He’s been personally nominated for BAFTAs 5 occasions earlier than (for Inception and Dunkirk) however at all times left empty-handed. At this 12 months’s BAFTAs, his serious-minded epic Oppenheimer received seven awards—with two for Nolan himself within the type of finest director and finest movie.

It should have felt like a vindication, however his acceptance speech as director was quietly gracious, calling the award “an unimaginable honor” as he famous that the Royal Competition Corridor the place the ceremony was held was the place he was dragged to by his mother and father “to get some tradition.”

The identical ruminative tone was struck by Cillian Murphy, who took the very best actor prize—the primary Irish actor to take action—for his uncanny portrayal of the tortured J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the A-bomb. Noting that Oppenheimer was “this colossally knotty, advanced character” who meant various things to completely different folks, he added: “That’s why I like films, as a result of we’ve got area to have fun and interrogate and examine that complexity.”

It’s at all times exhausting to know the way a lot the BAFTAs function as predictors for the Oscars; the very best movie prizes have diverged often in recent times. But the momentum such BAFTA success offers to Oppenheimer makes it really feel like its triumph at subsequent month’s Oscars is nailed on—not less than in the very best image class, although Murphy might but be disadvantaged of finest actor by love for Paul Giamatti as a grumpy trainer in Alexander Payne’s clever comedy The Holdovers. The SAG Awards, introduced subsequent week, may be a greater indicator there, however there’s little question the present buzz is with Murphy.

Robert Downey Jr.’s prize for finest supporting actor as Oppenheimer’s opponent Lewis Strauss appears like a shoo-in. The unsuccessful nominees barely batted an eyelid when he was introduced for his BAFTA and walked to the stage to provide one other of these elegantly crafted speeches—on this case, a 30-second abstract of his profession—which have completed a lot to make him an awards favourite.

One other frontrunner, Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph, whose luminous efficiency as Mary, the long-suffering cook dinner at an elite New England boarding faculty, offers The Holdovers its soul, took dwelling the BAFTA for finest supporting actress. She fought off robust native opposition from Rosamund Pike for Saltburn, and customarily received hearts and minds with an acceptance speech which moved from swooning over presenter Chiwetel Ejiofor—“you’re so good-looking”—to remembering all of the real-life Marys “who’ve by no means obtained an opportunity to put on a fantastic robe and stand on this stage.”