Two bold and daring films have clinched top honors at the 82nd Golden Globes, held on Sunday. Brady Corbet’s extensive postwar drama “The Brutalist,” running 215 minutes, alongside Jacques Audiard’s genre-defying, Spanish-language trans musical “Emilia Perez,” were celebrated for their uniqueness and ambition.
The Globes are reestablishing their presence in the entertainment industry after facing a challenging period marked by scandals and reforms. This year, they distributed accolades among several films, yet reserved notable praise for these two distinctive features, each breaking away from traditional categories. “The Brutalist” emerged victorious as the best film in the drama category, positioning it as a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards. Not only did Corbet’s film shine in this category, but it also earned him the best director and Adrien Brody the best actor award. In a poignant acceptance speech, Corbet reflected on the challenges filmmakers face regarding release approval, stating, “I was told that this film was un-distributable. No one was asking for a three-and-half-hour film about a mid-century designer in 70mm. But it works.”
On the other hand, “Emilia Pérez” grabbed the award for best film in the comedy or musical category, boosting its Oscar prospects as a leading contender for Netflix. The film also secured awards for best supporting actress, best song (“El Mal”), and best non-English language film. Audiard passed the microphone to the film’s transgender star, Karla Sofía Gascón, who portrays a Mexican drug lord undergoing gender-affirming surgery. Gascón delivered a powerful message stating, “The light always wins over darkness,” while wearing a striking orange dress, emphasizing her determination and identity. “You can maybe put us in jail. You can beat us up. But you never can take away our soul or existence or identity. I am who I am. Not who you want,” she affirmed.
In another highlight of the evening, actors such as Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, and Angelina Jolie graced the audience, while many winners hailed from lesser-known films. One unexpected win was Demi Moore taking home best actress in a comedy or musical for her role in “The Substance,” where she plays a Hollywood star attempting to reclaim her youth through experimental methods. This marked Moore’s first Globe award, triumphing over heavily favored competitors, which left her in disbelief. “I’m just in shock right now. I’ve been doing this a long time, like over 45 years, and this is the first thing I’ve ever won as an actor,” she expressed, recalling her last Globe nomination in 1991 for “Ghost.”
The award for best actress in a drama film surprised many, as Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres won for her role in “I’m Still Here,” a poignant story of a family coping with the political turmoil of the 1970s in Rio de Janeiro following the disappearance of dissident Rubens Paiva. Torres dedicated her award to her mother, acclaimed actress Fernanda Montenegro, stating, “She was here 25 years ago. And this is like proof that art can endure through life even through difficult moments.” Sebastian Stan also earned the best supporting actor award in the musical or comedy category for his performance in “A Different Man,” where he portrays a character overcoming their physical trauma.
Comedian Nikki Glaser opened the ceremony with a promise that raised expectations. Known for her sharp wit, her monologue was filled with humor and clever observations, surpassing the previous year’s hosting experience. Following last year’s tarnished reputation of the awards show due to controversies, this year’s event saw a rebound in viewership, drawing about 10 million audiences. CBS secured a five-year deal to broadcast the Globes, following NBC’s previous decision to back away.
As the awards season unfolds, the competition appears tighter this year than the previous, with frontrunners like “Conclave,” “Emilia Perez,” “The Brutalist,” “Wicked,” and “Anora,” all receiving at least one accolade. However, Sean Baker’s “Anora,” despite five nominations, left empty-handed. “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu, earned recognition for cinematic and box-office achievement, accumulating nearly $700 million in revenue, demonstrating its commercial success is unmatched among other contenders. In his acceptance speech, Chu emphasized creating “a radical act of optimism” in art.
Amidst unpredictable outcomes, Kieran Culkin has distinguished himself as the favorite for best supporting actor, having won for his performance in Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain,” and previously for “Succession.” Culkin humorously remarked that the Golden Globes offer his wife and him an ideal date night. Meanwhile, the best screenplay award went to Peter Straughan for “Conclave,” and the best animated film award was taken home by “Flow,” a Latvian parable that surpassed major animated productions. Additionally, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were honored for their outstanding score for “Challengers.”
In the realm of television, many awards went to familiar and frequently recognized shows, including “Sh?gun,” which won four awards, encompassing best drama series. Other winners included “Hacks,” “The Bear,” and “Baby Reindeer.” Ali Wong, Jodie Foster, and Colin Farrell also received accolades for their remarkable performances in various series, with Farrell humorously acknowledging the prosthetic work required for his role in “The Penguin.”
