The 2025 Golden Globes

The 2025 Golden Globes saw several gratifying wins the ceremony had to offer, mainly Demi Moore’s potent speech after rightfully gaining recognition for her performance in body-horror satire, The Substance.

“I’ve been doing this a long time now,” Moore stated, upon scooping the Best Actress in Comedy and Musical Award, “and this is the first time I’ve ever won anything.”

Moore went to deliver the most potent speech of the evening: “Thirty years ago I was told by a producer that I was a ‘popcorn actress’” Moore said, with a shaky yet triumphant voice. She added “I made that mean that this [the award] wasn’t something I was allowed to have… and that corroded me over time.”

In The Substance, Moore played Elizabeth Sparkle, a once celebrated but now faded star who too was told by a sickening producer (played marvellously by Dennis Quaid) of her limits. Therefore, the role is close to home for Moore.

Despite her recognition and career length, Moore witnessed decline in demand and frequent hiatus. Moore reflected on how she “was at kind of a low point,” until the script of The Substance, from French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat appeared. Moore described the script as “magical, bold, courageous, out of the box.”

The Substance is seen as a major resurgence for her, many tipping her as the favourite for the Oscar wins. I surely cannot wait to that moment unfold.

Elsewhere, The Brutalist, which opens in UK cinemas late January, took home the Best Drama and Best Actor (Adrien Brody, The Pianist). The Comedy and Musical section saw an upset, however, as POP-U-LAR fantasy adventure Wicked won only the Box Office Achievement, while Emilia Pérez (starring Zoe Saldana) scooped the prize. Another surprise was Flow gaining the Best Animated Prize over Dreamworks’ tearjerker The Wild Robot.

In the television arena, Colin Farrel snatched his rightful prize for Best Actor in Limited Series as sleazy Oz Cobb in HBO’s The Penguin. Jodie Foster claimed Best Actress in True Detective: Night Country and Hiroyuki Sanada sliced off the competition for leading the popular Korean series Shōgun.

Overall, a solid (and usually lavish) evening for the first of this year’s award season. Let’s hope the following ceremonies, particularly the Oscars, can grant more satisfying results. For now, here are the full list of winners of the night:

FILM

Best Film – Drama: The Brutalist

Best Film – Musical or Comedy: Emilia Pérez

Best Non-English Language Film: Emilia Pérez

Best Actress – Musical or Comedy: Demi Moore, The Substance

Best Supporting Actress – Musical or Comedy: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Best Actor – Drama: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Best Actress – Drama: Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here

Cinematic And Box Office Achievement: Wicked

Best Actor – Musical or Comedy: Sebastian Stan, A Different Man

Best supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Best TV Series – Drama: Shōgun