?El Mal?, performed by Emilia Pérez, achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the prestigious award for best original song at the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards, celebrated at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Friday, February 7. This recognition not only highlights the song?s artistic merit but also its significant impact within the music and film industry, showcasing the growing appreciation for original compositions in cinema.

The enchanting track, co-created by talented artists Clément Ducol, Camille, and Jacques Audiard?the film?s writer, director, and co-producer?garnered further acclaim by also receiving the Golden Globe Award for best original song on January 5. The collaborative effort behind this song emphasizes the creative synergy between writers and performers, contributing to its widespread recognition and success across multiple award platforms.

With its impressive accolades, ?El Mal? is positioned as a leading contender for the upcoming Oscars in the best original song category. The competition includes powerful entries such as ?El Camino,? also from Emilia Pérez; ?Never Too Late? from Elton John: Never Too Late; ?The Journey? from The Six Triple Eight; and ?Like a Bird? from Sing Song. Notably, the latter three tracks did not receive nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, highlighting the competitive nature of this year’s music categories.

The highly regarded score by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross for Challengers won the Critics Choice Award for best original score, mirroring its victory at the Golden Globes. However, it is disheartening that this remarkable work was not nominated for the Oscars. This situation marks just the third instance where a film score won both the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award without being acknowledged at the Oscars, joining the ranks of Howard Shore?s score for The Aviator in 2005 and Justin Hurwitz?s score for First Man in 2019. Each of these artists has previously won the Oscar for best original score, making the oversight perplexing.

The Oscar nominees for best original score also feature notable composers such as Volker Bertelmann for Conclave, Daniel Blumberg for The Brutalist, Kris Bowers for The Wild Robot, and the duo John Powell & Stephen Schwartz for Wicked. This diverse lineup of nominees reflects the rich tapestry of contemporary film scoring, showcasing a variety of musical styles and creative approaches that enhance the cinematic experience.

Moreover, Emilia Pérez excelled by winning the Critics Choice Award for best foreign language film. Additionally, the talented Zoe Salda?a, who performed ?El Mal? in Emilia Pérez, with contributions from Karla Sofia Gascón, received the accolade for best supporting actress, further emphasizing the film?s artistic and cultural significance within the industry.

While accepting the Critics Choice Award for best original song, Camille expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, ?This gives us such a sense of belonging. It feels so grounding. You know this awards season sometimes is so hectic, so overwhelming. I feel like saying sometimes [sings] ?I?m just a bird.? Thank you so much to Jacques Audiard for allowing the bird in me and us to write. Thanks to the Emilia Pérez team and to Zoe, of course, for being such a great artist.? Her words reflect the emotional connection artists have with their work and the collaborative spirit that fuels creativity in filmmaking.

Ducol, Camille?s partner and collaborator, shared his admiration for Los Angeles during the award acceptance. ?We?ve been making L.A. our home over the past few months with our family and fell in love with the city and its people. We were so warmly welcomed by the community here and made lasting friendships. Of course, we were heartbroken by the fires and destruction. Now I know why I dreamed of becoming a firefighter when I was young.? His reflections highlight the profound connection artists can develop with the places they inhabit and the emotional narratives tied to their experiences.

Last year?s Critics Choice Award winners in music categories included Ludwig Göransson?s score for Oppenheimer, which won best original score and went on to claim the Oscar. In the same year, ?I?m Just Ken? from Barbie secured the award for best original song, an entry that was Oscar-nominated but ultimately lost to the fellow Barbie track ?What Was I Made For?? This showcases the competitive landscape of original music in film, where numerous talented artists vie for recognition and accolades.

Chelsea Handler returned as the host for the Critics Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. The event, initially scheduled for Sunday, January 12, faced delays and was ultimately held on Sunday, January 26, due to wind-whipped wildfires that began on January 7 in Los Angeles. The three-hour ceremony, honoring achievements in both film and television, aired live at 7 p.m. ET/PT on E! and will be available to stream on Peacock the following day, allowing fans to engage with the celebration of cinematic excellence.

The final round of voting for the Oscars extends from February 11 to 18, with the 97th Academy Awards taking place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Hosted for the first time by Conan O?Brien, the prestigious ceremony will be broadcast live coast-to-coast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and available for live streaming on Hulu, marking a significant moment for both the awards and its audience.

Below is a comprehensive list of nominees in the film categories at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, with winners clearly marked. Additionally, the nominees in the two music categories are included, with winners highlighted:

Celebrating the Best Original Songs of 2025

?Beautiful That Way? ? The Last Showgirl ? Music by: Andrew Wyatt
Lyrics by: Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Li

?Compress/Repress? ? Challengers ? Music by: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Lyrics by: Trent Reznor, Luca Guadagnino

WINNER: ?El Mal? ? Emilia Pérez ? Music by: Clément Ducol, Camille
Lyrics by: Clément Ducol, Camille, Jacques Audiard

?Harper and Will Go West? ? Will & Harper ? Sean Douglas, Kristen Wiig

?Kiss the Sky? ? The Wild Robot ? Music & Lyrics by: Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack, Ali Tamposi

?Mi Camino? ? Emilia Pérez ? Music & Lyrics by: Clément Ducol, Camille

Recognizing Outstanding Original Scores of 2025

Volker Bertelmann ? Conclave

Daniel Blumberg ? The Brutalist

Kris Bowers ? The Wild Robot

Clément Ducol & Camille ? Emilia Pérez

WINNER: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross ? Challengers

Hans Zimmer ? Dune: Part Two