Oppenheimer, the cinematic sensation of the year, dominated the BAFTA Awards 2024 by clinching seven prestigious honors, with the most coveted accolade for Best Film among them. Cillian Murphy, the stellar performer embodying J. Robert Oppenheimer, made history as the first Irish star to be crowned Best Actor, while Robert Downey Jr. earned the Supporting Actor accolade.

Accepting his award, Murphy expressed gratitude to his "Oppen-homies" and characterized his role as "colossally knotty." He acknowledged the space for debate and investigation into the complexity of his character, considering it a privilege to be part of the cinematic community. The film's director, Christopher Nolan, known for his previous works like Inception and The Dark Knight, celebrated his first-ever BAFTA, calling it an "incredible honor" and paying tribute to the peerless Murphy.

Downey Jr., playing Lewis Strauss, head of the Atomic Energy Commission, set a record for the longest gap between wins by an actor, with 31 years passing since his first BAFTA in 1993 for Chaplin. His onstage acknowledgment included a light-hearted jab at Nolan, adding humor to the historic moment. Oppenheimer's seven BAFTAs matched the previous year's victories by All Quiet On The Western Front, coming just two awards short of the all-time record set by Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid in 1971.

The evening also witnessed triumphs for Emma Stone, named Best Actress for her role in Poor Things, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who secured the Supporting Actress trophy for her compelling portrayal in The Holdovers. Poor Things emerged as the second-biggest winner of the night, solidifying its success with Stone's win among five awards.

As the BAFTA winners look forward to the Oscars in March, the ceremony showcased a blend of historical achievements, star-studded moments, and cinematic excellence. Other notable victories included Holocaust drama The Zone Of Interest, earning three awards, including Best Film not in the English language and Outstanding British Film. The BAFTA Awards 2024 was a celebration of cinematic prowess, setting the stage for the upcoming Academy Awards.