The 82nd Golden Globe Awards took place on the night of January 5, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California, where emotions ran high amid triumphs and unexpected surprises. The evening marked the first major awards ceremony of the year, showcasing the best achievements in film and television. Hosted by US comedian Nikki Glaser, the show was broadcast live, captivating audiences with its charm and celebratory atmosphere.
Leading the night with four prestigious wins was the French musical thriller Emilia Pérez, which claimed victories for Best Musical or Comedy, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Song, and Best Foreign Language Film. This marked the film as the biggest winner of the night, having been nominated for ten awards overall. The story revolves around a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender transition, touching upon themes of identity and resilience.
Speaking after her victory, Karla Sofía Gascón reflected on the film's impact and the importance of representation, stating, "You can restrain us, you can oppress us, but you can never take away our soul, our resistance, our identity." Her words echoed the film's themes and celebrated diversity. Meanwhile, Demi Moore, citing her own long career, couldn’t contain her emotions as she accepted the award for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical for her role in The Substance. "Oh wow. I really didn’t expect this. I’ve been doing this for over 45 years, and this is the first time I’ve won something as an actor," she expressed after her win, clearly moved by the moment.
Another highlight of the evening was the historical drama The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet. The film, telling the story of a Jewish architect attempting to rebuild his life after World War II, won three Golden Globes including the coveted Best Film Drama and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. Upon receiving his award, Brody reflected, "No one wanted to see a three-and-a-half-hour film about a mid-century designer... but it works." The film’s emotional depth and storytelling have made it one of the standout titles this awards season.
Brady Corbet’s win for Best Director recognized his exceptional vision and talent, solidifying his reputation within the industry. Fernanda Torres triumphed over fierce competition, including Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie, taking home the award for Best Actress in a Drama for her powerful performance in I’m Still Here, which draws on the harrowing experiences of families affected by Brazil's military dictatorship. Her win underscored the depth and diversity of the narratives represented this year.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Stan brought home the award for Best Actor in a Comedy for his performance as the titular character of A Different Man, another film exploring complex themes of identity.
The emphasis on strong narratives continued with the evening's celebration of television. The acclaimed drama Shōgun garnered attention for its gripping storytelling, winning awards for Best Drama Series and recognizing its lead actors, Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, with trophies for Best Actor and Actress, respectively. Their performances were lauded for bringing compelling characters to life.
On the comedy front, the series Hacks continued its winning streak by securing the Best Comedy Series award, with Jean Smart winning Best Actress for her portrayal of the aging stand-up comedian. Jeremy Allen White, embodying the ambitious chef of The Bear, also received praise as the Best Actor, showcasing the continuing trend of rich storytelling on television.
While the evening celebrated significant wins, it also highlighted the absence of recognition for several key German films. Edward Berger’s Konklave, which had received nominations, went home empty-handed, leaving many to wonder about the future of international films at such prestigious awards.
Overall, the Golden Globes set the stage for what could follow at the Academy Awards, with many winners strong contenders for Oscar nominations. Each award acknowledged not only individual performances but also significant contributions to storytelling, diversity, and the importance of representation across the board, setting the tone for the forthcoming awards season.