‘Frankenstein’ wins four Critics Choice Awards

Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror adaptation of “Frankenstein” won four Critics Choice awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Jacob Elordi.

While Del Toro himself did not earn the top award for his film or for his direction, the Critics Choice awards recognized Elordi for his performance of the creature, as well as Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau for Best Production Design, Kate Hawley for Best Costume Design and Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey for Best Hair and Makeup.

Del Toro said in the short documentary "Frankenstein: The Anatomy Lesson" that he intentionally places his office near production design and is very involved with his designers to create the look and feel of his films. "I'm a pest," he jokes in the behind-the-scenes feature. 

The Critics Choice Awards kick-started the Hollywood trophy season on Sunday and for "One Battle After Another," it was one award after another.

The 31st annual edition of the awards show was hosted for a fourth straight year by comedian and television personality Chelsea Handler. In her opening remarks, Handler paid tribute to the late Rob Reiner less than one month after the death of the director and his wife in their Brentwood home.

"Everyone in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner," Handler said. "Anyone who ever spent time with Rob Reiner knows that the minute you met him, he felt like an old friend when you were in a conversation with him. He was present, he was focused and he was funny, and he would ask you tons of questions, whether you were discussing politics or film or the latest beauty trends."

Despite entering the day with a leading 17 nominations --just short of the record of 18 Critics Choice nods set by "Barbie" two years ago -- the horror-drama film "Sinners" failed to capture the big prize, but did earn an original screenplay award for writer-director Ryan Coogler, among a few other trophies.

Paul Thomas Anderson won awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for "One Battle After Another."

Timothée Chalamet was named Best Actor for his titular role in "Marty Supreme," while Jessie Buckley was designated Best Actress for her performance in "Hamnet."

On the small screen, Apple TV's "The Studio" earned Best Comedy Series, with Seth Rogen and Ike Barinholtz taking home Best Actor and Supporting Actor, respectively.

"The Pitt" won Best Drama Series. The HBO Max hospital program's Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa walked away with the respective Best Actor and Supporting Actress prizes.

Netflix's "Adolescence” led all television shows with four wins, including Best Limited Series. Stephen Graham was named Best Actor in the category while Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty won for Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively.

ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was named Best Talk Show after making headlines in recent weeks, even being taken off the air for a short time only to return to a ratings bonanza.

Diego Luna, Alicia Silverstone, Allison Janney, Quinta Brunson and William H. Macy were among the presenters --  joined by the likes of Ali Larter, Arden Cho, Ava DuVernay, Bradley Whitford, Billy Bob Thornton, Colman Domingo, EJAE, Hannah Einbinder and Jeff Goldblum.

Other presenters included Jessica Williams, Justin Hartley, Justin Sylvester, Kaley Cuoco, Keltie Knight, Marcello Hernández, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Noah Schnapp, Owen Cooper, Regina Hall, Rhea Seehorn and Sebastian Maniscalco.

The Critics Choice Association represents some 500 media critics and entertainment journalists in the U.S. and Canada, the show is regarded in some circles as a reliable predictor of Academy Award nominations -- which are set to be announced Jan. 22.

Additional reporting by City News Service.