Timothée Chalamet truly had a night to remember at the 31st Critics Choice Awards. The actor walked away with the Best Actor award and melted hearts with a public declaration of love for his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner. Still, the evening’s top honor Best Picture — went to Leonardo DiCaprio’s film One Battle After Another.
At 30 years old, Chalamet beat out DiCaprio in the acting category thanks to his standout performance in the unconventional drama Marty Supreme, a film centered around the world of table tennis.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came during Chalamet’s acceptance speech, when he turned his attention to Jenner.
‘Thank you to my partner of the last three years,’ he said. ‘I love you. I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Kylie, seated in the audience, was visibly moved — tears filled her eyes as she whispered back, ‘I love you too.’
Chalamet admitted he was extremely nervous on stage and made a point of thanking all the nominees by name even himself.
He offered special praise to director Josh Safdie, noting that he had created a story about ‘an imperfect man with a relatable dream, told without moralizing.’
In Marty Supreme, Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a young man whose dreams are repeatedly rejected, forcing him to descend into his own personal hell in order to prove his worth.
Meanwhile, One Battle After Another, which claimed the Best Picture award, follows a group of former revolutionaries who reunite 16 years later to rescue the daughter of one of their own when an old enemy resurfaces.
The ceremony took place on Sunday night in Santa Monica, California, and delivered several surprises. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, an unexpected but widely praised victory.
On the television side, HBO’s Pete dominated the drama categories, winning Best Drama Series, while its lead actor Noah Wyle was named Best Actor in a Drama Series.
All in all, it was an evening filled with emotional speeches, surprising wins, and unforgettable moments — one that firmly cemented Timothée Chalamet’s place at the center of Hollywood’s spotlight. ✨