Golden Globes Kickstart Awards Season: A Glimpse into the Glitz, Drama, and Oscar Predictions
Awards season is officially here, and it’s all the buzz right now! The Golden Globes last Sunday night set Hollywood ablaze, cementing their position as one of the most dazzling stops on the road to the Oscars. While the excitement is undeniable, the Globes are as much about the drama behind the scenes as they are about the glitzy trophies handed out.
Let’s dive into the winners, controversies, and what this all means for the Oscars. Spoiler alert: it’s not always what you’d expect!
The Big Winners of the Night
Sunday night saw two major films dominate the stage: “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez.” Brady Corbet’s period epic, The Brutalist, was a triple threat, snagging:
- Best Motion Picture (Drama)
- Best Director for Brady Corbet
- Best Performance by a Male Actor (Drama) for Adrien Brody
Meanwhile, Jacques Audiard’s musical extravaganza, Emilia Pérez, shone bright in multiple categories:
- Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy)
- Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language)
- Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña
- Best Original Song for the soulful “El Mal”
It was a night of celebration and surprise, but there’s barely time to breathe before the next big milestone—Oscar nominations are just around the corner on January 17!
The Golden Globes and Their Quirks
For years, the Golden Globes have been both revered and questioned. Are they an accurate predictor for the Oscars? Well, the short answer is—it’s complicated.
A study by Joe Reid in Vulture found that out of 404 Golden Globes awarded in film categories since 1991, less than half (201) translated into Oscar wins. While the acting categories show strong overlap—27 of 30 Best Actress and 24 of 30 Best Actor Oscar winners also won Globes—the connection weakens for Best Picture.
For instance, since 2000, 12 Oscar-winning Best Pictures didn’t win their respective categories at the Globes. That’s why many pundits see the Globes as more of a trendsetter than a crystal ball.
A Scandalous Past: Can We Trust the Globes?
The Golden Globes have faced their fair share of controversy. Just a few years ago, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the original voting body, came under fire for its lack of diversity—zero Black members at the time! Allegations of corruption also surfaced, including claims that HFPA members accepted gifts in exchange for votes.
The fallout was swift: NBC refused to air the 2022 ceremony, and the HFPA was ultimately disbanded. Now, the Globes are overseen by a new voting body made up of entertainment journalists from around the globe. While this has helped to some extent, the awards show hasn’t entirely escaped criticism.
Can the Globes Influence Oscar Narratives?
One undeniable power of the Globes is their ability to spark a buzz. Take Fernanda Torres’ surprise win for “I’m Still Here” as Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama). Before Sunday, her chances of even snagging an Oscar nomination in the crowded Best Actress race were slim.
But a Globe win changes things. It can draw attention to a performance or film that might otherwise fly under the radar. If enough Oscar voters now check out “I’m Still Here”, Torres might just edge her way into the final five nominees.
The Globes are great at creating narratives, and when it comes to awards season, narratives can be everything.
A Star-Making Moment for Demi Moore
Perhaps the most compelling narrative of the night belonged to Demi Moore. Winning her first-ever Golden Globe for her role in “The Substance,” Moore reminded everyone why she’s a Hollywood icon.
Her acceptance speech struck the perfect chord. Moore, despite her legendary status, positioned herself as an underdog—a move that might work wonders as she heads toward the Oscars. Her performance in “The Substance” has been described as extraordinary, with many noting how the film’s themes resonate deeply with her career journey.
More interestingly, Moore has never won an Oscar—or even been nominated. This gives her campaign an underdog appeal, a story awards voters often find hard to resist. Could 2025 finally be her year?
Why the Globes Still Matter (Even If They Don’t)
In the grand scheme of awards season, the Globes may not always predict Oscar winners, but they undoubtedly set the tone. They’re like a spark that lights the fire, starting conversations and creating momentum for certain films and stars.
However, awards season is as unpredictable as it is exciting. Last year, Lily Gladstone was considered a shoo-in after her Golden Globe win, only to lose the Oscar to Emma Stone. The takeaway? Nothing is certain until that final envelope is opened.
What’s Next on the Awards Calendar?
With the Oscars still weeks away (March 2), there’s plenty of time for narratives to shift and new frontrunners to emerge. The Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) are up next, and they often offer better insight into Oscar results due to significant overlap in voting bodies.
In the meantime, the Golden Globes have done their job—kicking off awards season with a bang, stirring up conversations, and keeping us all guessing. Whether you’re a die-hard awards fanatic or just here for the celebrity drama, it’s clear that the journey to Oscar night is anything but boring.
So, What Does It All Mean?
At the end of the day, the Golden Globes are less about accuracy and more about influence. They may not hold the key to predicting every Oscar winner, but they sure know how to spark excitement and build buzz.
From Demi Moore’s heartwarming win to the twists and turns of the awards race, this year’s Globes have already given us plenty to talk about. And trust me, there’s so much more to come!
So buckle up, awards season lovers. The road to the Oscars is just getting started, and it’s bound to be one heck of a ride!
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