Charles Melton makes Paul Dano 'blush like a schoolboy' at 2024 NYFCC Awards

NEW YORK – January’s first major awards show belonged to “May December.”

Todd Haynes' provocative dark comedy was a crowd favorite at Wednesday's New York Film Critics Circle Awards, where the Netflix movie picked up two prizes for best supporting actor (Charles Melton) and best screenplay (Samy Burch). The film, which is loosely inspired by the Mary Kay Letourneau case, follows a TV star (Natalie Portman) as she shadows a 1990s tabloid fixture (Julianne Moore), whom she’s set to play in an upcoming biopic.

Melton, 33, has been a critics' favorite this awards season for his shattering portrayal of a victim of childhood sexual abuse. On stage at TAO Downtown restaurant, the "Riverdale" alum delivered a charming and heartfelt speech about his journey to becoming an actor.

"When I heard the news I was receiving this honor, I was in the sauna eating boiled eggs," Melton said, earning laughs and "whoas" from the audience of reporters and publicists. Starting in Hollywood, "I dedicated myself to learning about actors who mastered their craft. I would pour myself into every story and every interview I could get my hands on to discover what inspired these individuals. I saw one of those individuals here tonight, and that’s Paul Dano.

"I wanted to know their pursuits and passions, and what motivated them to fall in love with acting," Melton continued. "I was obsessed with so many of these heroes … and Paul Dano."

Soon after his speech, Dano took the podium to present the best international film trophy to Justine Triet's "Anatomy of a Fall."

"Well, thanks to Charles Melton for making me blush like a schoolboy," Dano said with a smile. "That was nice."

Burch, a former casting director who wrote "May December," gave the night's most delightful speech, wryly reflecting on what it meant to be recognized for her debut screenplay.

"This is going to look fantastic on an obituary one day – hopefully a long time from now – so thank you for that," Burch said. "Thank you to Todd Haynes. You have changed my life in probably a thousand ways. The first way is as a member of your audience: I remember watching 'Safe' for the first time. I got the DVD in one of those Netflix red envelopes in the mail, and I watched it on my laptop in bed – surely as you intended!"

Martin Scorsese takes top award for 'Killers of the Flower Moon'

"Killers of the Flower Moon" director Martin Scorsese was given the night's biggest prize for best film, delivering a thoughtful speech about the drama's long gestation period and earning the trust of the Osage Nation. The legendary filmmaker was introduced by "Uncut Gems" co-director Josh Safdie.

"This is not only your best film but your bravest," Safdie said. "And that's saying something, given that you told on the Mob two or three times."

The New York Film Critics Circle Awards kick off a whirlwind month for Oscar watchers, with the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards and National Board of Review gala all set to take place in the next week and a half. Oscar nominations are out on Jan. 23, where NYFCC honorees Da'Vine Joy Randolph ("The Holdovers") and Lily Gladstone ("Killers of the Flower Moon") are all but guaranteed slots.

The full list of New York Film Critics Circle winners:

Best film: "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Best director: Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"

Best actress: Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"

Best actor: Franz Rogowski, "Passages"

Best supporting actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"

Best supporting actor: Charles Melton, "May December"

Best screenplay: "May December"

Best international film: "Anatomy of a Fall"

Best non-fiction film: "Menus-Plaisirs − Les Troisgros"

Best cinematography: "Oppenheimer"

Best first film: "Past Lives"

Best animated film: "The Boy and the Heron"

Special award: Karen Cooper, director of the Film Forum, the standard-bearing New York arthouse cinema