The 2025 Golden Globe Awards took place on January 5, 2025, celebrating excellence in film, with notable wins highlighting new talents as well as established artists. An arena known for showcasing artistry, the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, was the backdrop for the night’s festivities.
Among the most coveted accolades was Best Original Song, awarded to Camille and Clément Ducol for their powerful track "El Mal" from the film Emilia Pérez. The duo triumphed over formidable contenders, including Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who were nominated for the song "Compress/Repress" from Challengers, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Li, and Andrew Wyatt for "Beautiful That Way" from The Last Showgirl, and several others.
Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh had the honor of presenting the award. During her acceptance speech, Camille Ducol expressed her gratitude, stating, “This is such an American experience. You know, songs are butterflies, and we need butterflies, even if it’s to denounce the corruption in the world. So first, thank you to all singer-songwriters in the world; thank you of course to the Golden Globes and its members; thank you to Netflix and its publicists; and thank you to Emilia Pérez and our family.”
Earlier the same evening, the award for Best Original Score went to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for their work on Challengers. This marked their third win for this category, joining Justin Hurwitz as the only three-time winners of the past twenty years. They previously won for The Social Network and Soul (a collaboration with Jon Batiste). The other nominees for Best Original Score included notable names such as Hans Zimmer for Dune: Part Two and Daniel Blumberg for The Brutalist.
During the event, Elton John, who co-hosted the segment presenting the Best Original Score alongside Brandi Carlile, also took time to address concerns about his health, particularly his eyesight. Sharing lighthearted humor, he noted, “I don’t know if you know, but there’s been a lot of stories going around about my regressive eyesight. I just want to assure everybody it’s not as bad as it seems.” His candidness about his condition struck a chord with attendees, showcasing his resilience.
Elton John previously revealed the challenges stemming from a severe eye infection earlier the summer of 2024, which left him with diminished vision. “I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process,” he explained, reiteratively emphasizing his gratitude for his care team and fans alike.
Despite these trials, John continues to engage with his fans and musical projects, hinting at future collaborations, such as rumored recordings with Brandi Carlile. The dynamic between these stars added to the celebratory atmosphere of the evening.
The Golden Globe for Best Original Song is notable for selecting "El Mal" not only for its artistic merit but also because it marked the first time since 2012, when Masterpiece from W.E. won, where the song featured contributions from the film's director. This win highlights the ever-evolving relationship between filmmakers and songwriters, continuing to influence cinematic storytelling.
The awards this year also spotlighted the Oscar race, with many of the nominated songs and scores being shortlisted for Academy Award consideration. For example, Reznor and Ross’s score and Ducol and Camille’s song are potential contenders, aiming to carry their momentum from the Golden Globes forward.
It's worth noting the underlying dynamics of competition among nominees. While many have already been acknowledged by past critics, John’s involvement as co-writer on the Oscar-shortlisted song “Never Too Late” albeit overlooked for the Golden Globes shows how multi-faceted these esteemed awards can be. Audiences await the January 17 announcement of the Oscar nominations with bated breath.
Reflecting on the industry's growth, the 2025 Golden Globe Awards made clear the importance of innovative musical storytelling and its ties to broader cinematic experiences. Both nominees and winners alike shared the spotlight, celebrating not just individual achievement but the collaborative spirit of creativity and artistry. Recognizing such diverse talents during these awards gives viewers insight not only to popular opinions but also influential contributions shaping the future of film music.
With vibrant speeches, heartfelt reflections, and humor lighting the path through the evening, the Golden Globe Awards set the tone for discussions yet to come, encouraging audiences to engage with the artistry behind the music and films they cherish.