A Night of Excellence and Surprises
The Golden Globes 2025 Awards celebrated the best in film and television, delivering a mix of predictable victories and surprising upsets. The Brutalist, a poignant historical drama, and Emilia Pérez, a groundbreaking musical, took top honors in film categories. On the TV front, Shōgun, FX and Hulu’s lavish historical saga, dominated with multiple wins. The event showcased diverse storytelling, exceptional performances, and a commitment to inclusivity in its revamped format.
Big Winners in Film
Best Motion Picture – Drama: The Brutalist
The Brutalist emerged as the standout drama, taking home three awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. Directed by Brady Corbet, the film explores the struggles of an immigrant architect in post-war America. Adrien Brody’s heartfelt performance earned him the Best Actor – Drama award. In his speech, Brody drew parallels between his character’s challenges and the real-life struggles of immigrants like his mother.
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: Emilia Pérez
Netflix’s Emilia Pérez, a vibrant musical about a drug lord undergoing gender-affirming surgery, claimed four awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role as an idealistic lawyer, and Jacques Audiard received accolades for Best Screenplay.
Outstanding Performances in Film
Best Actress – Drama: Fernanda Torres
In a major upset, Fernanda Torres won Best Actress – Drama for I’m Still Here, beating heavyweights like Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie. Her portrayal of a woman grappling with the trauma of her husband’s disappearance during Brazil’s military dictatorship struck an emotional chord.
Best Actress – Comedy: Demi Moore
Demi Moore’s triumphant return to critical acclaim came with her win for The Substance. Playing a middle-aged actress desperate to reclaim her youth, Moore thanked her fans and addressed past industry criticisms, calling the award a validation of her craft.
Best Actor – Comedy: Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan’s transformative performance in A Different Man, as a performer grappling with disfigurement, earned him the Best Actor – Comedy award. His call for greater awareness around disability resonated with the audience.
Key Wins in Television
Best TV Series – Drama: Shōgun
FX and Hulu’s Shōgun dominated the drama categories, winning four awards, including Best TV Series – Drama. Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai took home acting awards for their exceptional portrayals of feudal Japan’s complex characters.
Best Limited Series: Baby Reindeer
Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, a raw and gripping semi-autobiographical story by Richard Gadd, won Best Limited Series. Jessica Gunning’s supporting role as a detective brought her a well-deserved win.
Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy: Hacks
Jean Smart continued her winning streak with Hacks, earning the show Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy.
A Revamped Golden Globes
Diverse Voting Body
After years of criticism, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association restructured its membership, adding journalists from 85 countries, making the body more diverse and inclusive.
New Categories
This year introduced new honors, including Best Stand-Up Special, awarded to Ali Wong for Single Lady, and Best Box Office Achievement, won by Wicked.
Major Highlights of the Night
- Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, adding depth to the awards’ emotional resonance.
- Host Nikki Glaser kept the audience entertained with razor-sharp humor, lampooning Hollywood’s quirks and controversies.
- The Brutalist director Brady Corbet received Best Director for his labor of love, a project that took seven years to complete.
Full List of Winners
Film
- Best Drama: The Brutalist
- Best Musical or Comedy: Emilia Pérez
- Best Actor – Drama: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Actress – Drama: Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)
- Best Actor – Comedy: Sebastian Stan (A Different Man)
- Best Actress – Comedy: Demi Moore (The Substance)
Television
- Best TV Series – Drama: Shōgun
- Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy: Hacks
- Best Limited Series: Baby Reindeer
A Celebration of Talent and Diversity
The 2025 Golden Globe Awards highlighted the resilience of the entertainment industry, embracing stories that challenge norms and elevate underrepresented voices. From the heartfelt wins of The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez to the sweeping success of Shōgun, this year’s ceremony reaffirmed the power of storytelling to inspire and connect.
