Breaking Down Kieran Culkin’s Oscar Acceptance Speech – Lessons in Public Speaking

 
 

Kieran Culkin’s Oscars Speech – Public Speaking Breakdown & Lessons

Kieran Culkin recently took home an Oscar for his performance in A Real Pain, and his acceptance speech was one of the standout moments of the night. But what made it so memorable? And what can we learn from it as public speakers?

In this analysis, I break down what worked, what didn’t, and key public speaking lessons you can take away from his moment in the spotlight.

Why This Speech Stood Out

Not all Oscars acceptance speeches leave a lasting impression, but Kieran Culkin’s did. Here’s why:

✅ Authenticity – His speech felt natural, not overly rehearsed.
✅ Pacing & Delivery – He didn’t rush through it, making every moment count.
✅ Emotional Connection – He engaged both the audience in the room and those watching at home.
✅ A Strong Closing – He ended on a high note, leaving the audience with a memorable message.

The Good, The Bad & Public Speaking Takeaways

✅ What Worked Well

1. A Confident & Relaxed Opening

Great speakers know that first impressions matter. Kieran started with a composed and natural presence, which immediately settled the audience. A great lesson for any presenter: how you start sets the tone.

👉 Lesson: Take a deep breath, find your grounding, and start with clarity and confidence.

2. Engaging with the Audience

Kieran’s speech felt personal and engaging. He acknowledged key people without sounding like a laundry list of thank-yous.

👉 Lesson: When delivering a speech, make it about connection, not just content. Speak to the audience, not at them.

3. Emotional Range

From heartfelt gratitude to humor, his speech had dynamic emotional shifts. This kept the audience engaged from start to finish.

👉 Lesson: Vary your tone, pace, and emotion to make your speech compelling.

❌ What Could Have Been Stronger

1. Slight Overuse of Fillers

While his delivery was engaging, there were moments where filler words crept in (“um,” “uh”). These can dilute impact.

👉 Lesson: Practice removing fillers by using pauses instead of verbal fillers. Silence can be powerful.

2. Could Have Landed the Ending Even Stronger

Although his closing was heartfelt, a slightly sharper ending—perhaps with a strong final sentence—would have made it even more impactful.

👉 Lesson: End with intentionality - a strong statement, call to action, or a powerful closing line that resonates.

Key Public Speaking Takeaways

  • Start with confidence – The first few seconds define your presence.

  • Make it personal & engaging – Speak to people, not at them.

  • Use vocal variety & emotional shifts – Keep your audience engaged.

  • Be mindful of filler words – Replace them with purposeful pauses.

  • Stick the landing – Your last sentence should leave a lasting impression.

Want to Improve Your Public Speaking? Let’s Talk!

Public speaking is a skill anyone can develop. If you want to become a more engaging, confident, and impactful speaker, I offer one-on-one coaching and corporate training to help you master the stage.

Let’s connect!

We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you might have.

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Adam Sismey