"A Complete Unknown"

The reasons why Timothée Chalamet lost to Adrien Brody at the 2025 Academy Awards can be attributed to a combination of several factors. Below, I will explain the main reasons in detail.

1. High Acclaim for Brody's Film 'The Brutalist'

Adrien Brody's film The Brutalist received high acclaim, being nominated for multiple categories such as Best Picture and Best Director, and winning awards like Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. The success of the film likely influenced the lead actor's award, potentially boosting Brody's chances of winning. On the other hand, while Chalamet's film A Complete Unknown was also praised, it may not have had the same overall impact as The Brutalist.

2. Brody's "Transformative Performance"

Brody's performance in The Brutalist was highly praised as a "transformative performance" that deeply expressed the emotions and struggles of the character. Having already won an Oscar for The Pianist in 2003, his talent was once again recognized. While Chalamet's performance was also excellent, it may have fallen short in terms of emotional depth and impact compared to Brody's.

3. Intense Competition and Vote Dispersion

The Best Actor category in 2025 included strong contenders such as Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan. The presence of these powerful rivals may have led to a dispersion of votes that could have favored Chalamet, ultimately allowing Brody to win. In a closely contested race, Brody might have edged out the others by a narrow margin.

4. External Factors Unique to the Academy Awards

The outcomes of the Academy Awards are influenced not only by the quality of the performances and films but also by external factors such as the actors' popularity, the films' marketing campaigns, and the preferences of the voters. Brody's win was considered a "surprise" by some, suggesting that these external factors may have played a role in his victory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reasons why Timothée Chalamet lost to Adrien Brody can be attributed to a combination of Brody's exceptional acting skills, the high overall acclaim of The Brutalist, the dispersion of votes due to intense competition, and the unique external factors of the Academy Awards. While Chalamet was a strong contender, 2025 was ultimately Brody's year.