One Battle After Another defeats Hamnet and Sinners at Baftas, as I Swear’s Robert Aramayo takes best actor | Baftas 2026
The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) saw a major night for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, securing six awards including Best Film and Best Director. The ceremony also highlighted successes for Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, alongside a surprising win for Robert Aramayo.
Dominance of One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another, a counterculture comedy inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, was the night’s biggest winner. The film took home awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It had been nominated in a total of 14 categories.
Key Wins and Surprises
Robert Aramayo’s win for Best Actor in I Swear was considered a major upset, beating out favorites like Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Michael B Jordan. Aramayo also previously won the EE Bafta Rising Star Award. Sinners, a vampire thriller, earned three awards: Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku.
Hamnet, an adaptation of the Maggie O’Farrell novel, received two awards, including Outstanding British Film and a leading actress win for Jessie Buckley. Buckley is the first Irish performer to win a leading actress Bafta.
Industry Recognition and Future Prospects
The ceremony also saw recognition for other films, including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which won three awards for technical achievements, and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which won Best Film Not in the English Language. Donna Langley, a British film executive, received the Bafta Fellowship, the organization’s highest honour.
Controversy and Reflection
The ceremony wasn’t without its moments. An outburst during the awards presentation by John Davidson, the subject of the film I Swear, led to an apology from the presenter. Host Alan Cumming opened the ceremony with commentary on the state of the world and its reflection in current films.
Frequently Asked Questions
What film won the most awards at the 2026 BAFTAs?
One Battle After Another won the most awards, taking home six BAFTAs.
Who won Best Actor at the 2026 BAFTAs?
Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for his performance in I Swear.
Which film won Outstanding British Film?
Hamnet won the award for Outstanding British Film.
With a mix of expected wins and surprising upsets, the 2026 BAFTAs have set the stage for an intriguing awards season. What does this year’s outcome suggest about the evolving tastes and priorities within the film industry?