The 2025 Academy Awards have once again showcased the brilliance of cinematic storytelling. In addition to the compelling plots and outstanding performances, the Oscar Award-Nominated Films have also impressed with their beautifully designed interiors and sets.
Set design plays a crucial role in immersing audiences in the worlds of these films, blending aesthetic appeal with storytelling. Three standout winners—Anora, The Brutalist, and I'm Still Here—contain some of the Best Interiors in recent cinema. Ready to dive i
Anora: A Symphony of Mid-Century Elegance
Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1950s New York, Anora dives into the mid-century modern aesthetic. The set includes warm wood tones, jewel-coloured velvet armchairs, and crisp, functional decor. The main decor reflects her evolving identity and contains carefully selected pieces that evoke sophistication and comfort.
A perfect example of this style is the Vintage Armchairs in Ebony Wood & Velvet. The richness of velvet seating paired with dark wood tones enhances the classic, timeless ambience.
The Brutalist: Embracing Raw Aesthetics
The Brutalist shows us a world of functional minimalism and architectural purity. The film expresses brutalist architecture principles—bold, raw, and unapologetically austere. Its interiors extend this philosophy, with exposed concrete surfaces, open spaces, and furniture that prioritizes form and structure over decoration.
One of the finest examples of this style is the Black Burnt Wood Bench: it offers the perfect balance of minimalism and functionality, as seen in the interiors of The Brutalist.
I'm Still Here: Nostalgic Brazilian Charm
Transporting viewers to 1970s Brazil, I'm Still Here is a visual delight filled with vibrant colours, natural textures, and a lively atmosphere. The interiors reflect a rich cultural wealth with hand-carved wooden decor and woven textiles. The film’s use of interior design creates a nostalgic but realistic portrayal of the period.
A standout piece from this aesthetic is the Rattan Pod Chair, seamlessly combining nostalgia with the richness of Brazilian design.
A Complete Unknown: Bohemian Creativity and Musical Soul
A film centred around Bob Dylan's early life, A Complete Unknown captures the bohemian, artistic essence of 1960s Greenwich Village. The interiors are a carefully curated mix of vintage flea market finds from bygone eras, mismatched furniture, and layered fabrics that evoke the era's free-spiritedness. Exposed brick, leather couches, and stacks of books and records are employed to create a space that is both lived-in and creatively energizing.
One piece that epitomizes this aesthetic is the Swivel Armchair by H.W. Klein, which embodies the laid-back, bohemian charm throughout the film. The furniture and decor in A Complete Unknown are part of the visual storytelling. Spaces are intimate, rough-around-the-edges, and bursting with creative energy, much like the music that defines the era.
Conclave: Majestic Grandeur and Sacred Spaces
Conclave, a tense and gripping drama set in the Vatican, offers a different approach to cinematic interiors. The film environment—primarily in the imposing halls and secret rooms of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican residences—is one of power, tradition, and concealment. Every detail of its interiors, from towering Renaissance frescoes to gilded candelabras, is a visual reminder of the weight of history and religion.
The grandeur of Vatican interiors relies on pieces and details such as the Baroque Gilded Thrones, an essential piece that defines the overall aesthetic. Rich gold ornamentations, velvet upholstery, and luxury carvings capture the seriousness and authority of the setting.
The darkened corridors and cavernous conference rooms heighten this atmosphere of suspense so that every transaction made in these hallowed halls appears monumental and solemn.
Conclusion
The 2025 Oscar-nominated films prove that interiors are not just background scenery—they are part of the story, open to use in defining character and historical authenticity.
Anora's opulent mid-century sleekness, The Brutalist's brash, unblemished but eye-grabbing harshness, I'm Still Here's rich nostalgic warmth, A Complete Unknown's chicly laid-back bohemian look, and Conclave's grand and stately scale deliver up unforgettable film moments.
For interior design fans and cinema buffs, these films are limitless wells of inspiration and show how the Best Interiors of cinema can influence interior design styles and projects.
Sources
House & Garden, The best interiors from 2025's Oscar award-nominated films
Elle Decor, Here Are the 2025 Academy Award Nominees for Best Production Design
Photo Credits
Courtesy of Neon, NBC Universal, S ony Pictures Classics, François Audouy and Diamond Films
