National Society of Film Critics Award Winners: ‘Nickel Boys’ and ‘A Real Pain’ Dominate the Night

The National Society of Film Critics crowns Nickel Boys as Best Picture, while A Real Pain and Sing Sing secure multiple top honors.

The National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) convened for its annual awards ceremony, recognizing the best in film from the past year. With a storied history dating back to 1966, the NSFC has built a reputation as one of the most esteemed organizations in the cinematic world, comprising over 60 critics nationwide. Through a meticulous weighted ballot voting system, the NSFC celebrated a year of groundbreaking performances, directorial achievements, and artistic innovation.

The night’s biggest winner was Nickel Boys, which captured the coveted Best Picture prize. Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film edged out strong competition from Anora and All We Imagine as Light. Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Lightclaimed the Best Director honor, cementing its place as one of the year’s most artistically ambitious films. Meanwhile, A Real Pain, directed and written by Jesse Eisenberg, took home awards for Best Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin) and Best Screenplay, further showcasing Eisenberg’s skill as both storyteller and director.

Colman Domingo, who delivered a career-defining performance in A24’s Sing Sing, received Best Actor, while Marianne Jean-Baptiste won Best Actress for her gripping turn in Hard Truths. Other notable winners included Michele Austin, who earned Best Supporting Actress for her work in Hard Truths, and Jomo Fray, who received the award for Best Cinematography for his evocative visuals in Nickel Boys.

Beyond the individual categories, the NSFC honored experimental and underappreciated cinema with awards such as Best Experimental Film for The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire and special citations for films awaiting U.S. distribution, including No Other Land.

The list of winners as they are announced below:

Best Picture:

The award for Best Picture went to Nickel Boys, a harrowing exploration of systemic racism and injustice. The film’s powerful narrative and Jomo Fray’s poignant cinematography set it apart, with runner-up titles Anora and All We Imagine as Light demonstrating the depth and variety of this year’s cinematic landscape.

Best Picture: “Nickel Boys”

Runners-up:
“Anora”
“All We Imagine as Light”

Best Performances:

Colman Domingo’s portrayal of a prisoner grappling with redemption in Sing Sing resonated deeply with voters, solidifying his status as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. Marianne Jean-Baptiste delivered a career-high performance in Hard Truths, a raw and unflinching look at societal inequities. Kieran Culkin’s turn in A Real Pain offered a nuanced mix of comedy and pathos, adding yet another accolade to the film’s growing legacy.

Best Actor: Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”

Runners-up:
Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”

Best Actress: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, “Hard Truths”

Runners-up:
Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Ilinca Manolache, “Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World”

Best Supporting Actress: Michele Austin, Hard Truths

Runners-up:
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, “Nickel Boys”
Natasha Lyonne, “His Three Daughters”

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”

Runners-up:
Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”
Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”
Adam Pearson, “A Different Man”

Best Director:

Payal Kapadia, already a critical darling for her poetic filmmaking, claimed Best Director for All We Imagine as Light. Her work continues to redefine narrative boundaries, blending experimental techniques with deeply human stories.

Best Director: Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine as Light”

Best Screenplay:

Best Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg, â€œA Real Pain”

Runners-up:
Radu Jude, “Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World”
Sean Baker, “Anora”

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Technical Achievements:

In the realm of cinematography, Jomo Fray’s work on Nickel Boys stood out, capturing the film’s emotional core with haunting visuals. Lol Crawley’s contribution to The Brutalist and Jarin Blaschke’s atmospheric lensing for Nosferatu were also recognized as runner-ups.

Best Cinematography: Jomo Fray, “Nickel Boys”

Runners-up:
Lol Crawley, “The Brutalist”
Jarin Blaschke, “Nosferatu”

Special Recognitions:

The NSFC once again highlighted the importance of film preservation and experimental storytelling. Scott Eyman, IndieCollect, and the Museum of Modern Art’s To Save and Project: The MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation received Film Heritage Awards for their contributions to cinema’s legacy.

Best Experimental Film: “The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire”

Film Heritage Award: Scott Eyman

Film Heritage Award: IndieCollect

Film Heritage Award: To Save and Project: The MoMa International Festival of Film Preservation

Special citation for a film awaiting U.S. distribution: “No Other Land”

The 2024 National Society of Film Critics Awards reflected the organization’s commitment to championing excellence in cinema, from mainstream features to experimental gems. This year’s winners exemplified the power of film to tackle complex themes, challenge conventions, and resonate deeply with audiences. As titles like Nickel Boys, A Real Pain, and Sing Sing move into awards season with fresh momentum, the NSFC has once again underscored its role as a vital voice in the cinematic landscape.

For filmmakers like Payal Kapadia and Jesse Eisenberg, and for performers such as Colman Domingo and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, these accolades are more than trophies—they are affirmations of their artistry and courage. With the NSFC’s spotlight shining brightly on their work, these films and their creators have been cemented as essential contributors to the evolving narrative of modern cinema.