The comedian and former late-night host led the ceremony replete with musical numbers and nods to L.A., filmmaking and the current political climate.

USA TODAY was in the Oscars audience and in the lobby (where "Nosferatu" star Willem Dafoe ... Followed by a throng of onlookers, the smiling actress conversed intently with "The Brutalist ...

Other nominees in the category included Arianne Phillips for "A Complete Unknown," Lisy Christl for "Conclave," Janty Yates and Dave Crossman for "Gladiator II," and Linda Muir for "Nosferatu." ...

Somewhere, in the dead of night, a sleeping James Dyer is dreaming of the Lisan al'Gaib and smiling as his beloved ... mispronounces Nosferatu, and then promptly leaves. The Sandman, undefeated!