The 2026 British Academy Film Awards saw a notable shift in expected outcomes, with Paul Thomas Anderson's political drama "One Battle After Another" securing the coveted Best Film award. The night was also marked by a significant upset in the Best Actor category, where Robert Aramayo was awarded the prize, surpassing heavily favored contenders. This year's ceremony presented a blend of anticipated victories and surprising results, offering a complex tapestry of critical and audience reception.
The 79th British Academy Film Awards took place on February 22, 2026. The event, a significant marker in the film calendar, celebrated achievements across various cinematic fields. Leading the nominations was "One Battle After Another," a political drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, which entered the ceremony with 14 nods, including nominations in the "Big Four" categories: Best Film, Director, Leading Actor, and Leading Actress. "Marty Supreme" followed with 11 nominations, also indicating strong industry recognition. Other films vying for major awards included "Hamnet," "Sinners," and "Sentimental Value." The ceremony, broadcast in the UK on BBC One and iPlayer, featured presentations by notable figures, including Prince William.
Key Awards and Surprises
The night's most prominent winner was "One Battle After Another," which secured six awards. These included Best Film, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, and Editing. The win for Best Film was a central narrative of the evening, solidifying the film's impact.
A significant shock occurred in the Best Actor category, with Robert Aramayo taking home the award for his role in "I Swear." This win came as a surprise, as Timothée Chalamet for "Marty Supreme" and Leonardo DiCaprio for "One Battle After Another" were widely considered frontrunners. Aramayo's victory was described as unexpected but deserved by some commentators.
Read More: Wunmi Mosaku Wins Best Supporting Actress at 2026 BAFTAs for Sinners
Jessie Buckley's win for Best Actress for her performance in "Hamnet" was less surprising, with many outlets highlighting her as a favorite heading into the ceremony. The film "Hamnet" also received the award for Outstanding British Film.
Performance Analysis: "One Battle After Another" and "Hamnet"
"One Battle After Another": A Dominant Force
"One Battle After Another" emerged as the evening's most decorated film, underscoring its critical acclaim and broad industry support.
Wins:
Best Film
Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Paul Thomas Anderson)
Best Cinematography (Michael Bauman)
Best Editing (Andy Jurgensen)
Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn)
Nominations: The film received a total of 14 nominations, reflecting its strong presence across major categories.
Thematic Significance: The film's win in Best Film and its thematic exploration of American society were noted by critics.
"Hamnet": Strong Showing for British Cinema
"Hamnet" also had a successful night, particularly within categories that often highlight British talent.
Wins:
Best Actress (Jessie Buckley)
Outstanding British Film
Impact: Jessie Buckley's win was anticipated, and the film's recognition for Outstanding British Film aligned with expectations given the BAFTAs' tradition of supporting homegrown cinema.
Unforeseen Outcomes: Best Actor Category
The Best Actor award presented the most notable surprise of the night, challenging pre-ceremony predictions.
Winner: Robert Aramayo ("I Swear")
Nominees & Expectations:
Timothée Chalamet ("Marty Supreme") - Widely tipped.
Leonardo DiCaprio ("One Battle After Another") - Considered a strong contender.
Ethan Hawke ("Blue Moon")
Michael B Jordan ("Sinners")
Jesse Plemons ("Bugonia")
Analysis: Aramayo's win for "I Swear," a biopic of Tourette's campaigner John Davidson, signaled a shift in critical consensus or a strong endorsement of an underdog performance.
Supporting Roles and Other Notable Wins
The supporting categories and other film awards also saw significant recognition.
Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn for "One Battle After Another."
Best Supporting Actress: Wunmi Mosaku for "Sinners." This category featured a strong British contingent, including Emily Watson and Carey Mulligan.
Other Film Awards:
"Sentimental Value" won Best Film Not in the English Language.
"Sinners" secured Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score.
"Frankenstein" received awards for Best Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, and Production Design.
Expert Commentary and Analysis
Commentary surrounding the BAFTAs highlighted the dual narratives of established success and unexpected results. Film critic Peter Bradshaw offered his take on the evening's events, noting both the length of the ceremony and specific award outcomes. The presence of Prince William added a royal dimension to the event, as he presented an award.
Read More: 2026 BAFTAs: "In Memoriam" Segment Causes Viewer Anger on BBC One
"Robert Aramayo named best actor for I Swear, and Jessie Buckley less surprisingly wins best actress for Hamnet. It’s going on a bit, though, not going to lie."— Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
The "preference for homegrown talent" by the British Academy was seen as a potential factor for films like "Hamnet" in certain categories. The contrast between the critical reception of "One Battle After Another" as a political drama and its stylistic categorization by some outlets was also a point of discussion.
Conclusion and Implications
The 2026 BAFTAs concluded with "One Battle After Another" firmly establishing itself as the night's leading film, garnering critical accolades and multiple awards. The Best Film win validates its complex narrative and thematic depth within the industry. The most significant surprise was Robert Aramayo's unexpected victory in the Best Actor category, which disrupted expectations and highlighted a potential shift in industry appreciation for specific performances. Jessie Buckley's win for Best Actress was more aligned with predictions. The ceremony reaffirmed the BAFTAs' role in celebrating a diverse range of cinematic achievements, while also demonstrating its capacity for unforeseen outcomes that spark further discussion and analysis within the film community. The outcomes suggest a nuanced industry landscape where established favorites and surprise contenders can both find significant recognition.
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Sources:
The Guardian: "Baftas 2026: One Battle After Another wins best film – follow live!"
Published: 6 hours ago
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/film/live/2026/feb/22/baftas-2026-the-red-carpet-the-ceremony-the-winners-follow-live
The Telegraph: "Bafta film awards 2026 as it happened"
Published: 5 hours ago
Link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/02/22/bafta-film-awards-2026-live/?msockid=161debd9eb396fd93a9ffcd1ead16ec3
Hello! Magazine: "BAFTAs 2026: All the winners, including Robert Aramayo's shock win"
Published: 4 hours ago
Link: https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/885354/baftas-2026-live-winner-updates-as-one-battle-after-another-and-sinners-lead-nominations/
Vanity Fair: "See All the Winners From the BAFTAs 2026"
Published: 5 hours ago
Link: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/baftas-2026-winners-list
BBC News: "Who's nominated for Bafta Film Awards 2026, how to watch and everything else you need to know"
Published: 21 hours ago
Vogue: "How to Watch the 2026 BAFTAs"
Published: 3 hours ago
Link: https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-watch-2026-baftas
