Under the 22 degrees of the Californian sun and with strong police protection, the 82nd edition of the Golden Globes was held on the afternoon of January 5. The Beverly Hilton hotel rolled out its maroon carpet for the more than 1,300 guests at the dinner and party where the first big prizes of the season are awarded. This time, and unlike other years, the awards were less obvious, especially those for film, which gave excitement to the gala. They were distributed much more between series and movies: four managed Emilia Perez, and three The Brutalist, best comedy-musical and drama films, respectively. in series Shogun achieved four, Hacks, two and My stuffed reindeer, two others, repeating the Emmy scheme. The Golden Globes demonstrated their power, now a far cry from the controversy of four years ago, when a scandal uncovered perks and lack of diversity in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which organized them. In 2022 they opted for a low-key, damage control ceremony that was not broadcast on television. Last year they regained their strength and this 2025, now with a larger body of voters (334), a charitable foundation and purchased by a company that also has media such as Rolling Stone, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter y Variety, His strength is noticeable.
Like any big Hollywood gala worth its salt, it all started with a very long red carpet that lasted more than three hours and was loaded with glamourwhich did not miss a single Hollywood star (or almost, because Javier Bardem skipped it, just like the delivery). The always impeccable Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and her very high ponytail, Angelina Jolie with her daughter Zahara, Karla Sofía Gascón with a custom-made orange dress and her wish by Anthony Vaccarello (as she explained when going up for the best film award, “I have chosen these colors because the light always wins”), Salma Kayek, shouting “Long live Mexico!”, Demi Moore, Nicolas Cage, Diego Luna, Kerry Washington, Kate Winslet, Ariana Grande, sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning, Jodie Foster, Andrew Garfield, Sharon Stone, Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor… Dozens of police officers patrolling through it did not miss either: the January 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans has further strengthened security controls in Beverly Hills and throughout Los Angeles County, especially at an event like this.
The night started with smiles and tears. The laughs were provided by Nikki Glasser, the presenter, with an ironic but accessible speech, very much to the taste of American viewers, lovers of acidic but rather white humor. Usual format roastingwhere attack to a character, he messed with several of those present, from Selena Gomez to Timothée Chalamet, of whom he said that his name seemed to come from an Adam Sandler joke, and Sandler himself went along with it, of course. During the gala, she changed her clothes countless times (in fact, in each of her appearances). Plus, the presenters were snappy and fun, from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley appearing together—against what their movie script would dictate The substance—, to the chemistry between Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum or between Akwafina and Melissa McCarthy.
The tears came shortly after, with the first prize of the night, which went to Zoe Saldaña, best supporting actress for Emilia Perezwhich started and triumphed as the favorite of the night. “My heart is full of gratitude. Thank you to the Golden Globes for honoring this film and to the women of Emilia Perez. It is the first time for me and I am proud to share it with my colleagues,” she said, without stopping crying, and with those colleagues also excited at the table. “You are magic, you are all magic, thank you. Thank you very much, sir (Jacques) Audiard, you are so French, so chic, so confident,” he continued, in gratitude to his director, to the laughter of the audience. To her co-star, Karla Sofía Gascón (who ultimately did not win), she said: “No one like you could have played Emilia Pérez, you are unique, queen, queen.” Best Supporting Actor in a Drama went to Kieran Culkin for A real pain, which brought laughter again.
In cinema, Audiard’s French drug musical started strong thanks to Saldaña, whose performance also earned her the award for best song for the evil; In addition, it won the awards for best foreign language film and comedy-musical: “I don’t have sisters, maybe that’s why I made a film about brotherhood, the world would be better with them,” said its director, Jacques Audiard. In comedy or musical, Sebastian Stan (double nominated) triumphed, for A different manand Demi Moore, for The substance. The 62-year-old performer acknowledged in a powerful speech that she was not expecting it, and excitedly said that in her entire career this was her first award, and that a few years ago she thought her career was over. “I celebrate this as a reminder of where I belong,” he said, to applause. The best director was Brady Corbet, for The Brutalist, which also won best film (“I had one speech prepared, not two!” Corbet said, laughing) and best actor with Adrien Brody.
Another big surprise came from the actress Fernanda Torres, for I’m still herewhich overtook none other than Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Pamela Anderson and Tilda Swinton for best drama performer: “I want to dedicate it to my mother, who was here 25 years ago,” the daughter stated through tears. of the great lady of Brazilian interpretation, Fernanda Montenegro.
The best script went to the papal ploy of Conclave, based on a 2016 novel by Robert Harris. Given recent criticism about whether it is a film against the Catholic religion, its screenwriter, British playwright Peter Straughan, stated: “I don’t think it is anti-Catholic, I grew up Catholic, a kid at mass I think the message is that of the church returning to seek the spiritual call, because it deals strongly with power.” Last year the award for best box office achievement was created, which if in 2023 went to the box office smash of Barbiethis has fallen on Wicked. The best soundtrack was for Rivals.
On television, it triumphed in the drama part Shogun as best series, but above all thanks to three of its actors, Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano. “I’m very happy, I’m very happy!” the latter shouted non-stop, without stopping smiling. “If I can do this, everyone can do it,” he later commented with amusement before the press.
In television comedy, few surprises and some repetitions: those of Jean Smart, in her second award for her role as the down-and-out despot Deborah Vance in Hacks; and that of Jeremy Allen White (who did not attend the gala), the third in a row by the stressed chef Carmy Berzatto of The Bearwhich the host, Jennifer Coolidge, decided to take for him.
The best miniseries (officially called limited series) went to My stuffed reindeer, as well as the best supporting actress, for the true story lived, written, directed and performed by Richard Gadd. “We need stories that talk about the complicated,” argued Gadd, to the applause of Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. In that category, Colin Farrell won best actor for The penguin (“I love working with actors, directors, producers, makeup artists… I consider myself incredibly lucky, but not on the top of any mountain,” he stated before journalists, grateful to have a job in such a complex profession); and Jodie Foster as best actress for True Detective. The best animated film went, surprisingly, to the Latvian Flow, a world to saveand the best performance of stand up It was for Ali Wong, who already won last year as an actress for Row. With them, the 27 medals were distributed, and the awards season got its absolute start.