Lisa Mariana
As the prestigious Golden Globe Awards prepare to unfold this Sunday evening, the global entertainment industry keenly awaits the outcomes, marking a critical juncture in the annual awards circuit with a diverse array of cinematic and television achievements vying for recognition. This comprehensive overview delves into the specifics of this year’s nominations, offers guidance on accessing the live broadcast, and analyzes the broader implications of the ceremony within the competitive landscape of Hollywood’s awards season.
The Golden Globes, orchestrated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), serve as an early and influential barometer for the Academy Awards, often shaping narratives and building momentum for prospective Oscar contenders. This year’s event, hosted at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, promises an evening of significant revelations, with a fresh category for Best Podcast reflecting the evolving media consumption landscape. The ceremony is strategically positioned less than two weeks prior to the much-anticipated announcement of the Oscar nominations on January 22nd, thereby amplifying its predictive and influential power.
Distinguished by its bifurcated film categories—separating dramatic works from musicals and comedies—the Globes typically distribute a greater number of accolades than many of its peer ceremonies. This unique structure frequently allows a broader spectrum of films and performances to receive recognition. Noteworthy acting talents such as Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessie Buckley, and Michael B. Jordan are among the luminaries nominated this cycle, setting the stage for potentially gripping contests across various categories.
Navigating the Broadcast: When and Where to Watch
For audiences within the United States, the Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast live on the CBS network, commencing at 01:00 GMT (corresponding to Monday morning for many international viewers). Additionally, the ceremony will be available for streaming on Paramount+, offering digital access to subscribers. The live broadcast typically spans three to four hours, capturing the full sweep of arrivals, awards presentations, and acceptance speeches from the Beverly Hilton.
Regrettably, for viewers in the United Kingdom, a legal live broadcast option for the ceremony is not currently available. However, comprehensive updates and analytical coverage will be provided by BBC News throughout the night, ensuring that British audiences remain informed of the unfolding events and significant wins. The disparity in international broadcasting rights underscores the complex global distribution landscape for major live events, compelling international viewers to rely on news outlets for timely information.
A Deep Dive into the Principal Film Contenders
This year’s cinematic landscape at the Globes is dominated by a compelling mix of critical darlings and commercial successes. Leading the nominations with an impressive nine nods is One Battle After Another, a gripping drama centered on a former revolutionary whose daughter’s kidnapping propels a narrative praised for its intensity and profound emotional resonance. This film has garnered widespread critical acclaim throughout 2025, positioning it as a formidable frontrunner.
Closely following with eight nominations is Sentimental Value, a Norwegian drama exploring the intricate reunion of two estranged sisters with their father, a film director orchestrating a comeback, following the demise of their mother. The film is lauded for its nuanced character development and poignant exploration of familial ties.
The supernatural horror-drama Sinners, set against the evocative backdrop of 1930s Mississippi, secured seven nominations. This vampire narrative quickly achieved box office success following last year’s Academy Awards, marking it as an early and strong contender in the awards season.
Literary adaptations also feature prominently, with six nominations for Hamnet, a screen adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel. The film delves into the profound personal tragedy believed by many scholars to have inspired William Shakespeare’s most renowned theatrical works. Similarly, a new cinematic rendition of Frankenstein earned five nominations, offering a more introspective and emotionally charged interpretation of Mary Shelley’s iconic gothic novel.
The blockbuster musical sequel Wicked: For Good also received five nominations, bringing to a grand conclusion the origin story of Elphaba, the legendary wicked witch of the west, celebrated for its spectacular visuals and musical performances.
With four nominations, It Was Just an Accident, a kidnap drama hailed as one of the year’s standout films and the recipient of the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, follows a man’s relentless pursuit of vengeance against his former prison torturer. The film is praised for its unflinching narrative and powerful performances.
Marty Supreme garnered recognition for its compelling portrayal of a 1950s New York table tennis player striving for financial stability and athletic recognition, highlighting themes of ambition and resilience.
Beyond these top contenders, the nominations also include the conspiracy theory drama Bugonia, the critically acclaimed Korean black comedy No Other Choice, the Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent, and the vibrant animated musical phenomenon Kpop Demon Hunters, collectively showcasing the Globes’ commitment to recognizing a diverse global cinematic output.
Forefronting the Acting Race: Key Performers to Watch
The competition within the acting categories is particularly intense this year, with several established stars and rising talents vying for gold. The Best Musical or Comedy Actor category presents a highly anticipated showdown between Timothée Chalamet for his role in Marty Supreme and Leonardo DiCaprio for his powerful performance in One Battle After Another. Both actors bring significant star power and critical acclaim to their respective roles, making this a closely watched race. Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon is considered a potential dark horse, capable of surprising the field with a compelling performance that resonated deeply with critics.
In the Best Drama Actor category, Michael B. Jordan holds a strong position for his immersive portrayal in Sinners. However, given the Globes’ recent inclination towards international cinema, Cannes winner Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent presents a formidable challenge, embodying the global appeal that the awards increasingly seek to recognize.
The Best Musical or Comedy Actress field features a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging stars. Veteran performers like Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue face robust competition from the relatively newer talent of Chase Infiniti, whose breakout role in One Battle After Another has garnered significant buzz.
The Best Drama Actress category appears to have a clearer frontrunner in Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, whose performance is widely regarded as exceptional and places her ahead of strong competitors, including Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, who delivered a critically acclaimed turn.
Supporting actor and actress categories also feature a stellar lineup of talent, including Amy Madigan for Weapons, Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, and a remarkable trio from One Battle After Another: Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor, each contributing to the ensemble’s collective strength.
The Return of the Roasting Queen: Nikki Glaser Hosts
The Golden Globes welcomes back acclaimed US comedian Nikki Glaser to host the ceremony, following her widely lauded performance at last year’s event. Glaser’s previous opening monologue, which fearlessly roasted the A-list celebrities in attendance, drew comparisons to legendary Globe hosts such as Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler. Her return signals an expectation for an evening filled with sharp wit and candid humor.
Glaser herself has expressed her profound enjoyment of the hosting role, describing it as "without a doubt the most fun I have ever had in my career." Despite her confidence, she candidly admitted to the BBC’s Regan Morris earlier this week that she often feels a sense of intimidation facing the immense "star power" in the room, humorously stating, "I blur my eyes when I’m on stage, I’ll be doing that so hard on the night." Her self-aware humor and ability to connect with both the audience and the industry elite make her a compelling choice to guide the evening’s proceedings.
The Enduring Momentum of "Adolescence" in Television Categories
A notable presence in this year’s television nominations is the Netflix hit series Adolescence, despite its release nearly a year ago. The critically acclaimed show, which follows the intricate narrative of a teenage boy accused of a school stabbing, has already achieved significant triumphs at various awards, including the Emmys, Critics’ Choice Awards, and the National Television Awards.
The continued recognition of Adolescence at events like the Golden Globes can be attributed to the differing eligibility windows and voting calendars across various awards bodies. While some ceremonies align more closely with the calendar year, others operate on a rolling basis or different fiscal periods. This staggered recognition ensures that highly impactful productions, such as Adolescence, maintain their awards season relevance over an extended period. Audiences can therefore anticipate further accolades for its stars, including Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, and Erin Doherty, at upcoming events such as the Actor Awards (formerly SAG) in March and the Bafta TV Awards, scheduled for May. This sustained presence highlights the show’s profound impact and the broad critical consensus regarding its excellence.
Pre-Ceremony Honors: Lifetime Achievement Awards
In a departure from tradition, this year’s two special lifetime achievement prizes were bestowed at the inaugural Globes Eve ceremony, held last week, rather than during the main broadcast. The Carol Burnett Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to television, was presented to Sarah Jessica Parker, the iconic star of Sex and the City. Concurrently, Dame Helen Mirren received the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the cinematic equivalent, honoring her illustrious film career.
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Dame Helen Mirren reflected on the significance of the accolade, noting that while it was described as "career recognition," she preferred to view it as "a life lived, a life survived, a life enjoyed, a life sweated, and a life carried on, hopefully." Her words resonated as a testament to her enduring dedication and resilience within the industry.
Sarah Jessica Parker, in her own moving address, expressed gratitude to the myriad friends, colleagues, and family members who have supported her decades-long showbiz journey. She profoundly stated, "You have been an integral part of an inconceivable life, it is a bounty, thank you," underscoring the collaborative nature of her success and the personal connections that enriched her path. These early honors set an appreciative and reflective tone for the awards season.
The Golden Globes’ Enduring Significance in the Awards Ecosystem
The Golden Globes hold a unique and often unpredictable position within the awards season. While a victory at the Globes does not guarantee an Oscar win, it undeniably provides a substantial boost in visibility and momentum. As one of the earliest major ceremonies, a win or a particularly memorable acceptance speech can significantly influence subsequent Academy voters, encouraging them to view a film or performance they might otherwise have overlooked. This early validation can be a game-changer for a film’s awards campaign.
Historically, the Globes have served as a crucial launchpad for many successful Oscar bids. For instance, stars such as Sebastian Stan, Demi Moore, and Fernanda Torres secured Oscar nominations in the wake of their Globe wins last January, demonstrating the direct impact on individual recognition (though Stan’s Oscar nod was for a different project). Similarly, films like Flow and I’m Still Here capitalized on early Golden Globe victories, propelling their campaigns toward eventual Oscar wins in the animated and international categories, respectively.
Affectionately dubbed the "drunk uncle" of awards season, the Globes are renowned for their less formal atmosphere compared to the more austere Academy Awards. This convivial environment often encourages celebrities to be more relaxed and spontaneous in their speeches, leading to memorable, unfiltered moments. The anticipation of these unscripted reactions, coupled with the sharp commentary from host Nikki Glaser, adds an element of delightful unpredictability to an otherwise meticulously choreographed awards show. The Golden Globes, therefore, remain a pivotal and eagerly anticipated event, not just for the accolades it bestows, but for the distinct character it injects into the heart of Hollywood’s awards calendar.
Aura Kasih
Ridwan Kamil
Safa Marwah