Awards season started off with a bang, but some fans weren’t too happy with what happened at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
“The Critics Choice Awards really have so many categories and we have so little time,” said a red carpet reporter. Celtic Knight » told the crowd on Sunday, January 4. “Throughout the evening, we will reveal other winners. »
At several points during the show, five winners were announced at once without anyone coming on stage to accept the award. Several viewers were unhappy that the winners of Best Foreign Language Film, Best Foreign Language Series and Best Original Screenplay, in particular, did not get their moment on stage.
Knight, 43, presented The secret agentthe director Kléber Mendonça Filho and producer Emilie Lesclaux their best foreign film as they walked the red carpet last night, before the show even started.
“I have a very special surprise for you. Congratulations, the Critics Choice Award for Best Foreign Language Film goes to The secret agent“, she said. “You’re a winner tonight baby!”
After the award ceremony, the broadcast switched to commercials. The clip, which was released via X, received major backlash.
“I absolutely hate that E! randomly announces the ‘lesser’ categories of the Critics’ Choice Awards live on the red carpet, which confuses all the winners because they think it’s a bit,” one social media user wrote. Another noted that it was “a mistake” not to announce Filho’s category on the main stage, especially since he announced the Best Picture winner later in the series.
Filho, however, attempted a thank you speech before presenting One battle after another with their reward later that evening.
“Some great international films here tonight. I would like to thank Critics’ Choice for the award we received tonight for The Secret Agent,” said the director. “And let’s also honor all the other films we respect and love so much on this list.”
The prize for best foreign language series was awarded to Squid game during the show, but it was also shown off-camera.
“If only we could have seen them on stage accepting the award!” user X said when the winner was announced.
Another social media user said the show’s star was there and wrote: “Thank you for recognizing them, as they deserved, but Lee Byung Hun was there and could have accepted the price!
Someone else added, “Why didn’t you announce it on stage??? Lee Byung-hun was there, surely he could have accepted the award and made a speech??”
Finally, fans hoped that Sinners director Ryan Coogler would get some form of justice after his Best Original Screenplay win was not televised.
“Ryan Coogler deserved his moment on stage for Sinners in the Best Screenplay category. It was disrespectful,” wrote one X user. “To be honest, Best Original Screenplay is just as important as Best Picture, and the ceremony should reflect that.”
Sinners ended up winning three more awards, including Miles Caton winning in the Best Young Actor/Actress category. The film also won Best Cast, Best Ensemble and Best Music.
