Zoe Saldana’s Emotional Outburst at the 2025 BAFTAs: F-Bombs and Tears!

Zoe Saldana was left speechless (and not in a good way) after winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Perez at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards. The 46-year-old actress, known for her role in Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy, had a wild night at the Royal Festival Hall, but not for the reasons you’d expect.

The award ceremony, usually a glamorous and composed affair, took an unexpected turn when Saldana couldn’t help but lose her cool on stage. As she took to the mic to deliver her acceptance speech, the countdown clock loomed over her, prompting her to panic and unleash a string of expletives. “F**, f***, f***!*” she shouted, as the clock ticked down and the pressure built up. And no, this wasn’t some Hollywood scripted moment. Zoe had no filter as the spotlight shone on her, and the audience could barely contain their shock.

“This is an Honor… But Seriously?!”

*“This is an honor, I’m so proud… but seriously?!” Zoe said through tears. She admitted, with raw emotion, how unreal it felt to win, despite earlier criticism from dialect coaches who told her that her English accent wasn’t “convincing” enough. She had the audience in her corner, but the slip-up with the bad language? Not exactly charming in a room full of Brits, Zoe.

Cue the awkwardness. With the countdown clock in full force and no mercy from the producers, Zoe barely made it through the rest of her speech. But not before shouting out, “F**, f***, f***!”* again. The cameras quickly cut away, but the damage was done. She’d just gone rogue at one of the UK’s most prestigious events, and everyone had something to say about it.

Fashion Icon: Zoe’s Stunning Look

She had barely finished thanking her team when the infamous countdown took her down, and she had to be practically yanked off the screen. The moment was embarrassing, funny, and a tad shocking all at once. But hey, who can blame her? It’s BAFTA night, people are nervous, and the pressure to perform is intense.

Zoe did manage to look absolutely stunning, though. She graced the red carpet in a sheer black lace dress that accentuated her curves. The dress had a daring off-the-shoulder neckline that showed off her glowing skin and paired beautifully with her soft curls. To top it off, she wore a sparkling silver necklace that caught the light as she went up on stage. Talk about fashion goals, right? Zoe’s outfit? Fire.

The Film: Emilia Perez and Its Polarizing Reception

But back to Emilia Perez. The Mexican film, which had been receiving mixed reviews, still managed to snag an impressive 11 nominations. While many critics questioned whether the film could live up to its hype, Zoe’s performance as Emilia Perez was one of the standout pieces of the movie. The drama and intensity she brought to her character might have earned her the award, but it was the candidness of her acceptance that kept social media buzzing. Zoe’s unfiltered response to the moment had the internet on fire. From love to hate, it was the talk of the evening.

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin’s Bromance Steals the Show

The BAFTA Awards weren’t all about Zoe’s big moment. Jesse Eisenberg also made waves by winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, which seemed like a dark comedy straight out of a Kafka novel. As Eisenberg took the stage, he joked about how this was the fifth time he had accepted an award on behalf of his co-star, Kieran Culkin (yes, Culkin, you read that right), who couldn’t make it to the ceremony. “This just proves my theory that we’re living parallel lives, but his is 27% better than mine,” Jesse quipped, leaving the audience to wonder just how deep the bromance between the two actors goes.

Meanwhile, Orlando Bloom and Vanessa Kirby made a glamorous appearance to present the Best Actor award to Jesse, adding a touch of Hollywood royalty to the already star-studded evening. Talk about a power couple on stage, but let’s be real—who was really paying attention to them when we all still can’t stop thinking about Zoe?

Conclave and Anora: The Surprising Winners of the Night

One thing’s for sure—Conclave didn’t disappoint at the 2025 BAFTAs. The film, which had an impressive 10 nominations, took home two major awards: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing. The film’s director, Rich Peppiatt, couldn’t help but give a heartfelt thanks to everyone who had been fighting for this project from day one. You could feel the passion in his speech, especially when he gave a special shoutout to those “fighting the good fight.”

And while Conclave racked up wins, it was the independent film Anora that stole the show. With a budget of just $6 million, this little indie film managed to beat out the big blockbusters at last week’s Critics’ Choice Awards. It took home the coveted Best Actress award, and people were shocked by how the film managed to defy expectations. Independent cinema showing the big dogs how it’s done!

Then, in a twist that had the audience wondering what kind of magic they’d just witnessed, Dune: Part Two snagged two awards: Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. Big surprise there, right? No one expected Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic to take home the gold, but it was hard to argue that the movie had some serious visual chops.

Not to be Outdone… Nick Park and Wallace and Gromit

And in a stunning turn of events, Wallace and Gromit—yes, the beloved claymation duo—managed to secure TWO BAFTAs that night, beating out some heavy hitters like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot. Nick Park, the mastermind behind the animated films, couldn’t believe his luck and had a hilarious moment of humility on stage. He jokingly admitted, “I really didn’t write a second speech, guys. This is all coming from the heart.” Classic Nick.

Startling the Night: The film’s victory wasn’t over yet. Nick Park and the Wallace and Gromit team took home Best Children’s and Family Film award—showing the power of animation in an industry dominated by big-budget blockbusters.

Concluding Thoughts: A Night to Remember

The 2025 BAFTAs were anything but predictable. From Zoe’s emotional outburst to the indie films rising to the occasion, this year’s ceremony was definitely one for the books. And with stars like Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin taking home awards, who knows what’s next for these emerging Hollywood heavyweights? Whether you were shocked by Zoe’s cursing or impressed by her stunning dress, one thing is clear: the 2025 BAFTAs were all about those raw, real moments. And we’re not complaining.

Who do you think had the most iconic moment of the night? Let us know in the comments—we’re waiting.