Hollywood opened its doors to champagne and glamour as the 2025 Golden Globes returned last night, launching the annual awards season from the Beverly Hilton, California. The ceremony, known for its celebrating film and television excellence, saw comedian Nikki Glaser take the stage as host for the first time.
This year, the musical film Emilia Pérez led the nominations, securing ten nods. Other contenders included The Bear, Shōgun, and Wicked, with excitement building around these potential award winners.
The night began with major wins including The Brutalist, which tells the story of a Holocaust survivor pursuing the American dream, taking home the award for Best Motion Picture - Drama. Adrien Brody's compelling performance earned him the title of Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama. "To the many people who have struggled emigraging to this country, I hope this work stands to lift you up and give you voice," Brody reflected during his acceptance speech.
Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez, the story of a Mexican drug lord transitioning to womanhood, triumphed over its musical peers, winning Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. The Netflix film also garnered recognition for Zoe Saldana's supporting role. "The light always wins over the darkness," said Karla Sofía Gascón, the trans actor who plays the lead role, during the ceremony.
With the Golden Globe Awards, Hollywood gears up each year to launch its awards festivities, culminating with the Oscars. Winning one of these coveted trophies can significantly impact visibility for Oscar hopefuls. This year’s ceremony set the stage for several hopeful films vying for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Following Brody’s win, Wicked, the box office hit based on the beloved Broadway musical, seized the Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Director Jon M. Chu, who expressed his love for storytelling, emphasized the importance of art as optimism amid the prevailing cynicism. "When pessimism rules the planet right now, we can still make art, and there’s joy to be had from it," he declared.
Another surprising highlight of the evening was Demi Moore winning Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for her role in The Substance. Remarkably, it was her first win, with the actress describing her decades-long career as "shocking" and her victories as long overdue.
Throughout the night, various actors and filmmakers took to the stage to speak on their works and the representation of marginalized communities. Sebastian Stan, named Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for A Different Man, addressed the need to normalize conversations around disability and disfigurement. "Our ignorance and discomfort around disability and disfigurement has to end now," he stated firmly.
Among the surprise winners, Brazil’s Fernanda Torres took the Best Actress award for her role in the Portuguese film I’m Still Here, shedding light on the struggles of women during Brazil’s military dictatorship.
The ceremony also paid homage to newcomers and established names alike, showcasing diverse talents. Kris Bowers received his first Golden Globe nomination for his original score for The Wild Robot, following his acclaimed work on Oscar-winning films. Bowers, praised as Hollywood’s rising composer, underscored his growing influence.
On the red carpet, celebrities dazzled, wearing stunning gowns, showcasing both fashion and personality. Ariana Grande received attention for her yellow Givenchy gown, paying tribute to the yellow brick road from Wicked. It was also noted how stars like Cate Blanchett engaged with sustainable fashion, rewearing stunning ensembles from earlier events.
Mockery and playfulness filled the lively atmosphere, especially from Glaser who humorously addressed power players like Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez, teasing them about avoiding political discussions. Glaser’s light-hearted touches offered moments of levity against the night’s celebratory backdrop.
This year's ceremony reflected significant changes, especially concerning diversity and representation. The voting body for the Globes has been reformed to include 334 entertainment journalists from 85 countries, aiming to correct issues raised previously about voting practices and ethics. Such changes follow controversies surrounding past nominations and lack of diversity, as organizers are determined to make positive strides.
Besides the movie accolades, television categories highlighted successes, including Hacks, receiving Best Musical or Comedy Series recognition, as well as Baby Reindeer winning Best Limited Series. The acclaimed Shogun earned the title of Best Television Drama, adding to the evening’s varied celebrations.
Returning to CBS for the second year after previous sponsorship controversies, the Golden Globes have found renewed confidence as its viewership increased significantly. The broadcast pulled 9.4 million viewers, up about 50 percent from the previous year, indicating growing interest after years of turmoil.
Overall, the 2025 Golden Globes set the tone for the awards season with its blend of celebration, reflection, and recognition of the film and television community’s achievements. With nominees for the Academy Awards now on the horizon, the impact of last night’s awards presence is expected to ripple through Hollywood leading up to the Oscars.