Razzies for worst film and actor of year announced ahead of Oscars

An unexpected contender beat out Robert Downey Jr, Adam Sandler and Kristen Wiig for Worst Actor

The “worst film of the year” has been awarded to Sia’s controversial drama Music, which took home the most Razzies this year. 

As is customary ahead of the Oscars tomorrow (25 April), the “winners” of the Razzies – a ceremony that awards the worst films of the year – have been announced.

The Golden Globe-nominated film picked up three “dishonours”, including Worst Director for Sia, Worst Actress for Kate Hudson and Worst Supporting Actress for Maddie Ziegler.

Music, which stars Hudson and Ziegler, was written and directed by the Australian musician Sia, and revolves around a recovering addict who becomes a carer for her autistic half-sister.

The film attracted widespread criticism earlier this year for its portrayal of autism, particularly for its casting of the neurotypical Ziegler as a neurodivergent character, and for including scenes in which an autistic character is restrained in a physical position that has led to injuries, and even death, in reality.

The film was nominated for two Golden Globes last month, including Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for Hudson. A Change.org petition calling for these to be rescinded has since been signed by nearly 152,000 people.

Among the other Razzie “winners” was Rudy Giuliani who took home Worst Supporting Actor for his role as himself in the Borat sequel.

Likewise, Mike Lindell’s part in his documentary Absolute Proof, in which Lindell (the CEO of MyPillow) purports to explain the unfounded claims of election fraud in last year’s US presidential race, earned him Worst Actor. 

Robert Downey Jr as Dr John Dolittle alongside a talking parrot voiced by Emma Thompson (Universal Pictures)

Netflix’s erotic romance drama 365 Days – based on the first novel of a trilogy by Blanka Lipińska – was awarded Worst Screenplay, while the Robert Downey Jr-led Dolittle “won” Worst Remake/Rip-Off/Sequel. 

In a rare twist, Hillbilly Elegy star Glenn Close had been nominated for Worst Supporting Actor – the same role for which she has received a Best Actress Oscar nod.

With the Razzies out of the way, you can look forward to the Oscars ceremony tomorrow (25 April) by following along with our live blog here.