2025 started strong with the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. The biggest movie and television stars of our time flocked to Beverly Hills to find out who would come out on top, and who would leave the night disappointed.
The movie that took home the most awards was Emilia Pérez, a film about a Mexican lawyer helping a cartel boss retire and transition into a woman. It won four of its ten nominations, taking the gold for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture, and Best Original Song – Motion Picture. These were surprising wins for most of the audience, as many people – including myself – were expecting Wicked to win in more of these categories instead. This has become a controversy online, with social media users criticizing Emilia Pérez and questioning why it was praised so much at the Globes.
The movie with the second most awards won was The Brutalist. A film about the experience of a postwar immigrant navigating life in America, it won three of its seven nominations. These awards included Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, and Best Director – Motion Picture.
More personally, my highlight of the night was Demi Moore’s acceptance speech for The Substance. After receiving the award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Moore talked about how she has been in the business for over 45 years and this was the first award she has ever won. She said that the lack of acknowledgment that she received eventually pushed her to believe that she was done as an actor, but that the universe sent her a sign when she became a part of The Substance. She ended her speech by saying, “In those moments when we don’t think we’re smart enough or pretty enough or skinny enough or successful enough or basically just not enough, I had a woman say to me, ‘Just know you will never be enough, but you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.’” I would have loved The Substance to win more of its nominations, but the competition was tough this year and the body horror film is definitely not for everyone.
Other films that took home awards were Flow (Best Motion Picture – Animated), Wicked (Cinematic and Box Office Achievement), I’m Still Here (Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama), A Different Man (Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy), A Real Pain (Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture), Conclave (Best Screenplay – Motion Picture), and Challengers (Best Original Score – Motion Picture).
Moving on to television, the show that came out on top was Shōgun, a historical fiction series set in 17th-century Japan and based on the 1975 novel with the same name. The show won all four of its nominations, consisting of Best Television Series – Drama, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Drama, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama, and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television.
Other television shows that received awards were Hacks (Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy), Baby Reindeer (Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television; Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television), The Bear (Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy), True Detective: Night Country (Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television), The Penguin (Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television), and Ali Wong: Single Lady (Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television).
Overall, the Golden Globes gave audiences a glimpse into what 2025’s award season could look like, and I for one am excited to see what projects will continue to receive acknowledgment, and which projects will fall just short.
Sophomore Emily Myers is a Staff Writer. Her email is emyers3@fandm.edu