The 82nd Golden Globe Awards lit up Beverly Hills on a starry evening, hosted by the charismatic and quick-witted Nikki Glaser. Known for her comedy and sharp roasts, Glaser added her signature flair to a night of glitz, glamour, and jaw-dropping moments.
With early presenters like Dwayne Johnson, Demi Moore, and Anya Taylor-Joy, the night was packed with excitement. But the real excitement came from the unexpected twists and turns that left fans delighted, shocked, and, in some cases, scratching their heads. Here’s the full scoop:
The Predictable, The Powerful, and The Plot Twists
While the ceremony started on a predictable note—Zoe Saldaña snagged a Female Supporting Actor, and Jean Smart secured a Female Actor in a TV Series—things quickly spiraled into unexpected territory. Let’s break it down, category by category:
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross Triumph in Original Score
Winner: Challengers
Biggest Snub: Dune: Part Two
While Hans Zimmer’s epic Dune: Part Two score seemed destined for a win, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross took the prize for their hauntingly beautiful work on Challengers. It’s a win that sparks debate, but there’s no denying the duo’s cinematic mastery.
Tadanobu Asano Wins Best Supporting Actor – TV
Winner: Tadanobu Asano (Shōgun)
Biggest Snub: Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)
This one came out of left field! Asano’s multi-layered portrayal of Kashiwagi Yabushige in Shogun edged out Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the Emmy-winning favorite for The Bear. While Moss-Bachrach’s Ritchie has captured hearts, Asano’s win is proof of Shogun’s growing global appeal.
Kieran Culkin Steals Best Supporting Actor – Drama
Winner: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
Biggest Snub: Denzel Washington (Gladiator II)
Kieran Culkin, already an Emmy darling for Succession, won his first Golden Globe for a feature film. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Culkin’s emotional performance in A Real Pain triumphed over the legendary Denzel Washington’s powerhouse role in Gladiator II.
Washington was considered a near-lock for the award. His loss? A shocker. But Culkin’s win has us thinking: Could this be a precursor to his first-ever Oscar nod?
Emilia Perez Dominates Best Non-English Film
Winner: Emilia Perez
Biggest Snub: All We Imagine as Light
With its vivid storytelling and social relevance, Emilia Pérez swept the category, beating out All We Imagine as Light – a critics’ darling with an excellent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Perez also took home three other awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña and Best Original Song for El Mal.
Flow Surprises Best Animated Feature
Winner: Flow
Biggest Snub: Inside Out 2
Who saw this coming? The indie Latvian gem Flow sailed past Disney’s blockbusters like Inside Out 2 and Moana 2. With its poetic storytelling and stunning animation, Flow proved that box office numbers don’t always win hearts—or awards.
Fernanda Torres Wins Best Actress – Drama
Winner: Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)
Biggest Snub: Angelina Jolie (Maria)
In one of the night’s most dramatic twists, Fernanda Torres took home the Best Actress award for her moving performance in I’m Still Here, leaving behind heavy favorite Angelina Jolie (Maria). Jolie, who herself performed the opera for the role, seemed set to win — but Torres’ heartfelt approval speech stole the show.
Demi Moore Wins Best Actress – Musical or Comedy
Winner: Demi Moore (The Substance)
Biggest Snub: Mikey Madison (Anora)
Demi Moore shocked the audience by taking home her first-ever Golden Globe for The Substance. This horror gem is making waves, and Moore’s hauntingly brilliant performance has catapulted her into the Oscars race. Sorry, Mikey Madison (Anora), but Moore just might have this season locked down!
Wicked’s Cinematic & Box Office Achievement
Winner: Wicked
Biggest Snub: Inside Out 2
The newly minted category continues to puzzle fans. Wicked, despite being the sixth highest-grossing film of 2024, outshone Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine. The message? The box office isn’t everything, but a strong fan base and cinematic impact matter.
Key Takeaways from the Night
The 82nd Golden Globes weren’t just an awards show; they were a rollercoaster ride. From Kieran Culkin’s meteoric rise to Flow’s David-vs-Goliath victory, this year proved that the unexpected is often the most thrilling.
And as the buzz builds for the Oscars in March, one thing’s for sure: The awards season just got a whole lot more interesting.
