> At a Glance
> – Amy Madigan, 75, won Best Supporting Actress at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards for her role as Aunt Gladys in Weapons
> – “I thought people would dig Gladys but you love Gladys,” Madigan said, expressing surprise at the fan response
> – First-time Critics Choice nominee beat out Elle Fanning, Ariana Grande, and four others
> – Why it matters: A veteran actress finds new acclaim in horror, proving career-defining roles can come at any age
The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica erupted in applause on Sunday, Jan. 4, as Amy Madigan accepted her first-ever Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her chilling turn as Aunt Gladys in Zach Cregger’s horror hit Weapons has transformed the 75-year-old into an unlikely fan favorite.
The Winning Performance
Madigan’s quirky yet terrifying Aunt Gladys anchors Weapons, a small-town horror story about 17 missing third-grade students. The character’s signature bangs became an instant cultural touchstone, spawning makeup tutorials, paintings, and even unexpected declarations of Gladys as a “sex icon.”
> “I really wasn’t expecting all this because I thought people would like the movie,” Madigan admitted. “And I thought people would dig Gladys but you love Gladys. I mean, it’s crazy!”
A Competitive Field
The Best Supporting Actress category featured an impressive lineup:
- Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value) – 5th Critics Choice nomination
- Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good) – Second nomination in this category
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value) – First nomination
- Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) – Second overall nomination
- Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) – First nomination
Awards Sweep for Weapons
Madigan’s win highlighted a strong showing for Weapons across multiple categories:
| Category | Nominee/Recipient |
|---|---|
| Best Young Actor/Actress | Cary Christopher |
| Best Original Screenplay | Zach Cregger |
| Best Hair and Makeup | Leo Satkovich, Melizah Wheat, Jason Collins |
Fan Love and Gratitude
The veteran actress specifically thanked “the whole team that created the look,” noting that “once we figured out the bangs, we knew we had it.” She also expressed newfound appreciation for fan engagement, saying:
> “I never really knew what it [meant] to thank your fans. Usually I see that with great music people. But I’m thanking my fans for this, too.”
Key Takeaways
- Amy Madigan’s first Critics Choice win comes at age 75
- Aunt Gladys has become an unexpected pop culture phenomenon
- Weapons received four total nominations at the 31st annual ceremony
- The 2026 Critics Choice Awards aired live on E! and USA Network from Santa Monica
Madigan’s surprise victory proves that in Hollywood, career-defining moments can arrive when you least expect them-even after four decades in the business.
