The 2025 BAFTA Film Awards in London wasn’t just a night to celebrate movies—it was also a masterclass in how to roast a U.S. president while keeping the crowd laughing so hard they nearly spilled their champagne.
Host David Tennant, the Scottish charmer best known for Doctor Who and Inside Man, took full advantage of his second stint as host to deliver a monologue that had Donald Trump’s hair trending on social media faster than you can say “Make Box Office Great Again.”
Tennant’s Trump Takedown
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from David Tennant, it’s that he doesn’t shy away from poking fun at world leaders—or their gravity-defying hairstyles.
Kicking off the evening with an energetic performance of The Proclaimers’ hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” Tennant brought out surprise cameos from Anna Kendrick, Colman Domingo, and Brian Cox to set the tone for what would be a night full of laughs.
But the real showstopper came when he turned his attention to The Brutalist, a film praised for its architectural brilliance.
“The Brutalist is a film about incredible architecture,” Tennant declared, pausing dramatically for effect. “In fact, it’s the boldest architecture in film this year—apart from Donald Trump’s hair in The Apprentice.” Cue thunderous applause and enough laughter to rival a sold-out comedy club.
But Tennant wasn’t done yet. He doubled down with another zinger: “Donald Trump said he hasn’t seen The Brutalist—and I believe him, because it’s rated 15 and it’s not on Nickelodeon.” The audience erupted, clearly loving every second of this political roast session.
Then, with mock concern, Tennant added, “Wait, I’ve said his name three times now… It’s like Beetlejuice—I’ve summoned him!” Before anyone could check under their seats for an orange billionaire, Tennant smoothly segued into talking about Hugh Grant’s villainous turn in Heretic.
It’s safe to say Tennant has perfected the art of combining humor with sharp social commentary. Last year, he joked about the possibility of “one of those [child-brain-in-adult-body]” being reelected president—a clear nod to Poor Things.
Clearly, no politician is safe when Tennant steps onto the stage.
Cinematic Triumphs and Tiny Controversies
While Tennant kept the laughs rolling, the awards themselves celebrated some remarkable achievements in filmmaking.
Edward Berger’s Vatican drama Conclave led the pack with 12 nominations, proving that even cardinals can steal the spotlight when Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci are involved. Close behind were Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez with 11 nods and Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist with nine.
Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap, a biopic about Belfast’s rebellious rap trio, made history by tying the record for most nominations for a debut filmmaker with six nods. If nothing else, this proves that hip-hop and humor go together like fish and chips—especially at the BAFTAs.
Somewhere in the universe, Shakespeare is shaking his head, wondering why he never thought to include rap battles in Hamlet.
However, not everything was smooth sailing. Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of Emilia Pérez and the first trans actor ever nominated for an Oscar, was conspicuously absent from the ceremony.
Her awards campaign hit a snag after controversial posts surfaced on her X account. Despite issuing an apology, tensions reportedly remain high between Gascón and Netflix, which has quietly phased her out of the film’s promotional efforts. Let’s just hope she doesn’t start live-tweeting during the Oscars—that could get awkward faster than you can say “algorithm mishap.”
A Night of Laughs, Tears, and Architectural Insults
Between Tennant’s razor-sharp jokes and the dazzling array of cinematic talent on display, the 2025 BAFTAs proved to be a night of both celebration and satire.
While filmmakers basked in the glow of recognition, audiences were treated to a reminder that even the glitziest events can serve up a healthy dose of reality—and maybe a few jabs at bad haircuts.
So, what’s the takeaway? Whether you’re marveling at bold architecture or bold political figures, sometimes all it takes is a witty Scotsman with a microphone to remind us that life—and cinema—is better with a little humor.
And if you’re Donald Trump, maybe invest in a new stylist before the next award season. Your scalp deserves better representation.
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