It was a night of glamour and prestige at the 2023 Oscars, but Elizabeth Banks had a close call with a cocaine bear.

The director and actress nearly tripped on the hem of her dress and was chased by the bear before she presented the award for best visual effects.

Banks apologized for her scratchy throat and went on to explain the importance of excellence in the category.

As Banks hit the mark, the cocaine bear’s director, 49, said to the beast, “Nico, my god, he tripped me.”

Banks then segued into an explanation of the importance of visual effects in film and how they can make or break a movie.

She also shared her experience directing the film “Cocaine Bear” and how visual effects played a crucial role in bringing the bear to life.

Without visual effects, Banks explained, the bear would have been just some actor in a bear suit, probably on cocaine.

She added that it’s terrifying to think about and that no director wants to deal with this.

Banks then expressed her admiration for the advocacy work of the March of Dimes on behalf of women and babies.

“My husband and I were graciously invited along with Beth and Jimmy by Jimmy and Joy to visit the NICU at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to see the work of the March of Dimes up close,” Banks said.

“Sorry, my voice can enhance any story and is an incredible tool for filmmakers like me.”

Banks then announced the winner of the category, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” which beat out other films such as “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “The Batman,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and “Top Gun Maverick.”

The Hunger Games alum recently revealed that she didn’t shy away from making her new movie, which is based on a true story, a visually gory and gnarly experience.

In her initial presentation, Banks brought to the table a lot of real-life gruesome photography of people who have had limbs ripped off, giant gashes, and bites.

“I just sort of said I want this.

I wanted ‘The Revenant.’

Every time we talked about the bear, it was like it’s got to be ‘The Revenant,'” she added, referencing the 2015 Leonardo DiCaprio movie.

“The first couple of kills have to be that gnarly so that you understand that everyone should be afraid of the bear.