‘The Brutalist’ and ‘Emilia Pérez’ Dominate the 82nd Golden Globes
At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, two bold and unconventional films — Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist and Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez — emerged as the night’s top honorees, each pushing boundaries in their respective genres.
Big Wins for The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez
The Brutalist, a 215-minute postwar epic by Corbet, took home the prestigious Best Film – Drama award, solidifying its place as one of 2024’s most ambitious projects and positioning it as a major contender at the upcoming Academy Awards. The film also earned Best Director for Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. Corbet, reflecting on the film’s unconventional nature, shared, “I was told this film was un-distributable. No one wanted a 3.5-hour movie about a mid-century designer in 70mm. But it works.”
Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez, a genre-bending Spanish-language trans musical by Jacques Audiard, triumphed in the Best Film – Comedy or Musical category. The film also earned multiple honors, including Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña, Best Song for “El Mal,” and Best Non-English Language Film. The movie’s transgender star, Karla Sofía Gascón, delivered an emotional speech, saying, “The light always wins over darkness… You can imprison us, beat us, but you can’t take away our soul, existence, or identity.”
Surprising Actor Wins
The actor category saw several surprises, with Julianne Moore securing her first Golden Globe after 45 years in the industry. Her performance in The Substance, a film about a Hollywood star’s attempt to regain her youth through an experimental process, beat out frontrunner Mikey Madison of Anora. Moore, visibly moved, said, “I’m just in shock… Thirty years ago, a producer told me I was a ‘popcorn actress.'”
Another unexpected winner was Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, who claimed Best Actress – Drama for her role in I’m Still Here, a true-story drama about a family coping with the disappearance of a political dissident in 1970s Rio de Janeiro.
Sebastian Stan also won Best Supporting Actor in a Musical or Comedy for A Different Man, where he portrays a man undergoing a physical transformation. Reflecting on the challenges of making such films, Stan remarked, “These are tough subjects, but they’re necessary. We can’t be afraid to look away.”
Nikki Glaser’s Globes Debut
Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony, opening with a witty promise: “I’m not here to roast you.” Glaser delivered a fresh and entertaining monologue, marking a major improvement over last year’s host, Jo Koy. While the humor may not have reached the legendary heights of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Glaser’s performance was well-received. She also delivered a memorable line to Hollywood’s elite: “You could really do anything… except tell the country who to vote for. But it’s OK, you’ll get ’em next time… if there is one. I’m scared.”
A Win for Wicked
The evening also honored Wicked, Jon M. Chu’s record-breaking adaptation, which has grossed nearly $700 million at the box office. Chu, accepting the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, called for “a radical act of optimism” in art, emphasizing the power of uplifting storytelling.
Culkin and ‘Conclave’ Take Top Honors
Kieran Culkin, already a Golden Globe winner for Succession, secured another win for his role in A Real Pain directed by Jesse Eisenberg. Culkin, who called the Globes “the best date night” for him and his wife, thanked her for putting up with his “mania.”
Peter Straughan’s screenplay for Conclave, a papal thriller, took Best Screenplay, while the wordless animated parable Flow won Best Animated Film, triumphing over mainstream blockbusters like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross claimed the Best Score award for their work on Challengers.
TV Highlights
Television took center stage with several repeat winners. Shōgun, the Emmy-winning series, claimed four awards, including Best Drama Series and acting awards for Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, and Tadanobu Asano. Hacks also took Best Comedy Series, with Jean Smart winning Best Actress, while The Bear earned Best Actor for Jeremy Allen White. Baby Reindeer triumphed as Best Limited Series.
Other notable TV winners included Ali Wong for Best Stand-Up Performance, Jodie Foster for her role in True Detective, and Colin Farrell, who was honored for his transformative performance in The Penguin. Farrell humorously remarked, “I guess it’s prosthetics from here on out.”
The 82nd Golden Globes were a night of unexpected victories, strong performances, and powerful statements from both film and TV. From boundary-pushing films like The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez to surprise actor wins and thought-provoking moments, the ceremony marked a significant step in the ongoing reinvention of the Globes after its turbulent history.
