Honestly, the energy at the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards felt a little different this year. Maybe it's because we're finally seeing the transition from the "streaming gold rush" to whatever the heck is happening next in Hollywood. But when Rachel Brosnahan stepped onto the red carpet at the Barker Hangar on February 7, 2025, she wasn't just there to represent the legacy of Midge Maisel. She was there as the new face of a cinematic universe.
It’s kinda wild how one dress can signal a total career pivot.
Brosnahan arrived in a custom Miu Miu gown that had the internet immediately fighting in the comments. It was this deep, moody chocolate brown—though in some light it looked almost black—accented with black glittery epaulets. Some fashion critics thought the shoulder pads were a bit much. Others argued it was a "bombshell" look that moved her away from the 1950s aesthetic we've associated her with for years.
Rachel Brosnahan Critics Choice 2025: The Red Carpet and the Superman Hype
You’ve probably seen the photos by now. The fit was impeccable, but the conversation was almost entirely about James Gunn’s Superman. Since the trailer had just recently dropped and absolutely shattered view counts, every journalist on that carpet was desperate for a scrap of info.
Basically, Brosnahan is the queen of the "polite pivot." When asked about the fan reaction to the Superman trailer, she described it as "overwhelming in a really positive way." She’s playing Lois Lane, and she’s clearly taking the job seriously. She mentioned that instead of binge-watching old movies, she actually spent time talking to real-life journalists to figure out what a "relentless, intense, slightly messy" reporter looks like in 2025.
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That’s the kind of detail you don't get from a standard PR script.
What actually happened inside the ceremony?
Despite her massive star power, the awards themselves were a bit of a "handing over the torch" moment. While The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has been a Critics Choice darling for years, the 2025 TV categories were dominated by newcomers like Shōgun and the latest season of Hacks.
- Best Actress in a Drama Series went to Kathy Bates for Matlock.
- Jean Smart took home the trophy for Best Actress in a Comedy.
- Rachel Brosnahan was a presenter, leaning into her role as one of the industry's most reliable leaders.
She spent most of her time in the audience or at the mic praising other artists. She gave a huge shoutout to The Brutalist, specifically mentioning Brady Corbet’s stance on empowering artists. It’s cool to see a performer of her stature not just showing up for the photo op, but actually engaging with the craft of the films being honored.
The Miu Miu Controversy
We have to talk about the dress again because, man, the whatthefrockk subreddit was in shambles. The "brown vs. black" debate was the "Blue Dress/White Dress" of the 2025 awards season.
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One user noted that the "boobies were the centerpiece at Thanksgiving dinner" (their words, not mine!), but the puckering on the bodice and the clashing black sequins on the shoulders felt like a rare miss for Miu Miu. Typically, Brosnahan kills it in jewel tones—remember that purple Sergio Hudson at the Met Gala?—so this experimental, gothic-adjacent brown was a gamble.
Was it a success? In terms of SEO and "getting people talking," absolutely. In terms of "best dressed" lists? It was polarizing.
Why this moment mattered for her career
You might think an awards show is just about who gets a trophy. It isn't. Not for someone like Brosnahan. She is currently navigating the hardest jump in acting: going from a beloved, "locked-in" TV character to a global movie star.
By showing up at the Critics Choice 2025 looking like a modern-day femme fatale rather than a quirky comedian, she’s subtly retraining our brains. She's telling us, "Midge is gone. Lois is here."
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She even teased that she and Amy Sherman-Palladino (the creator of Maisel) brainstorm ideas every time they see each other. They recently met up in New York. While there isn't a new project officially on the books yet, the "Palladino-verse" connection is still very much alive.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Critics Choice Awards
If you’re looking for the TL;DR on why this night was a big deal for her, here’s the breakdown:
- The Superman Factor: The trailer's success has made her one of the most talked-about women in Hollywood.
- Fashion Shift: The Miu Miu look was a deliberate departure from her usual "vintage" style, signaling a more mature, film-focused era.
- Journalism Research: Her approach to Lois Lane involves talking to actual reporters, not just mimicking Margot Kidder or Amy Adams.
- The Winner’s Circle: Even without a trophy this year, she remained a focal point of the broadcast, proving her staying power beyond a single hit show.
If you want to keep up with her press tour, the next few months are going to be heavy on the Superman promos. Watching how she handles the transition from the quirky comedy world of Prime Video to the high-stakes pressure of the DCU is going to be a masterclass in career management.
For now, keep an eye on her upcoming film The Amateur with Rami Malek. It’s another indicator that she’s moving into the thriller/action space, leaving the stand-up stage far behind in the rearview mirror.
Next time you see her on a carpet, pay attention to the colors. If she goes back to those signature jewel tones, you’ll know she’s playing it safe. If she stays in this dark, experimental Miu Miu lane? She’s ready to keep us on our toes.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of Rachel's work, now is the time to watch her earlier, non-Maisel projects like House of Cards or I'm Your Woman to see the range she's bringing to Lois Lane. The "modern reporter" version of Lois is clearly going to be more grounded than previous iterations based on her Critics Choice interviews.