Golden Globes 2025: A Night of Surprises, Big Wins, and Oscar Implications

By Natalie McCarty

The 82nd Golden Globe Awards delivered its fair share of triumphs, upsets, and conversation-starting wins, setting the tone for what promises to be an intriguing awards season. With high-profile films like The Brutalist and Wicked, and the controversial Emilia Pérez, taking home major honors, the evening was a spectacle of glamour and artistry. Here's a closer look at the night’s standout moments and also what they could mean for the Academy Awards.

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Big Winners and Oscar Clout

Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist took home the coveted Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, solidifying its status as a major player in this year’s awards race. Though many expected Timothée Chalamet to win for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Adrien Brody’s won for his performance in The Brutalist, marking him as a frontrunner for Best Actor at the Oscars. With its stark, architectural storytelling and emotional depth, The Brutalist is shaping up to be one of the most discussed films of the season.

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On the other hand, the very polarizing Emilia Pérez dominated the Musical or Comedy categories, with wins for Best Picture, Original Song (“El Mal”), and Jacques Audiard for Best Director. While the film’s innovative narrative and bold performances have drawn praise, its sweeping success has also sparked controversy. Many are questioning if Emilia Pérez leaned too heavily on its sensationalism and shock factor, overshadowing subtler, more universally resonant films like Challengers, to which I wholeheartedly agree. 

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The Performances That Stole the Show

Fernanda Torres’s win for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (I’m Still Here) was one of the night’s most talked-about surprises. Her deeply vulnerable portrayal of a woman navigating love and loss was a dark horse pick, beating out heavyweights like Kate Winslet (Lee) and Nicole Kidman (Babygirl). This win could be a game-changer for Torres as she enters the Oscars race.

Sebastian Stan’s gripping performance in A Different Man earned him the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, a category that showcased an impressive range of contenders, from Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain) to Glen Powell (Hit Man). Stan’s win feels like a long-overdue acknowledgment of his range, and it could position him as a serious contender for the Academy Award.

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The big moment? Demi Moore’s long-overdue first ever industry win for her character in The Substance, for which she gave an incredibly moving speech.

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Spotlight on Television

While the Golden Globes celebrated the best of film, television also had its shining moments. Shōgun claimed Best Television Series – Drama, with Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada picking up acting awards for their roles. Hacks continued its dominance in the Musical or Comedy category, with Jean Smart earning another win for her layered portrayal of a stand-up legend.

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Snubs and Surprises

Though Dune: Part Two was nominated in multiple categories, it walked away empty-handed—a stark contrast to its predecessor’s award-season dominance. Shame! Similarly, Challengers, despite its critical acclaim and a well-deserved win for its phenomenal Original Score (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross), fell short in other categories, leaving many fans disappointed. Nicole Kidman’s powerful performance in Babygirl also failed to secure her a win, a surprise given the film’s buzz and Kidman’s reputation for awards-season gold.

On the other side of the spectrum, Emilia Pérez sparked heated conversations. While its success is undeniable, its overwhelming sweep felt, to some, like a case of style over substance. With Jacques Audiard at the helm, the film is undeniably bold, but its reliance on provocation has led some critics to question its staying power heading into the Oscars.

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What This Means for the Oscars

The Golden Globes are often considered to be a pulse for the Academy Awards, but their predictive power is far from absolute. Still, The Brutalist and (unfortunately) Emilia Pérez have clearly positioned themselves as frontrunners in their respective categories. Adrien Brody’s and Fernanda Torres’s wins could very well translate into Oscar gold, especially given the Academy’s recent preference for nuanced, transformative performances.

Meanwhile, Wicked’s win for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement signals strong support for the film’s technical and visual mastery. Ariana Grande’s nomination and Zoe Saldaña’s win for supporting roles underscore the film’s broader appeal and potential in acting categories.

However, there’s still room for shifts in momentum. Films like A Complete Unknown and Babygirl, which underperformed at the Globes, could regain traction with the Academy, especially given their star-studded casts and compelling narratives. The Oscars have historically diverged from the Globes, favoring quieter, more introspective films in certain categories.