The Brutalist and Emilia Perez Win Big at the 82nd Annual Golden Globes

At the 82nd Golden Globes, The Brutalist, the moving story of a Holocaust survivor striving for the American dream, won Best Motion Picture – Drama. Adrien Brody, the film’s lead actor, was honored as Best Actor in a Drama, while Brady Corbet took home the award for Best Director.

Brody, portraying an architect working to build a new life in the U.S., called the film “a monument to humanity and the arts.”

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“To the many people who have struggled emigrating to this country, I hope this work stands to lift you up a bit and give you a voice,” Brody said during his acceptance speech in Beverly Hills.

Emilia Perez, a Spanish-language Netflix production about a Mexican drug lord who transitions to a woman, triumphed as Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The film also claimed four awards in total, including Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana. Karla Sofía Gascón, the trans actor playing the lead role, delivered a stirring message: “The light always wins over the darkness. You can never take away our soul, or existence or identity.”

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The Globes also celebrated Wicked, the adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, which earned the award for cinematic and box office achievement. Director Jon M. Chu reflected on the significance of creating art in challenging times, saying, “When pessimism and cynicism sort of rule the planet right now, we can still make art, and still make art that is an act of optimism, that is empowerment and that is joy.”

In an unexpected moment, Demi Moore received the award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in The Substance. The film tells the story of a fading actress in search of the fountain of youth. Moore, a veteran of Hollywood hits like St. Elmo’s Fire and Ghost, expressed her disbelief: “I’m just in shock right now. I’ve been doing this a long time, over 45 years. This is the first time I’ve ever won anything as an actor.”

Brazil’s Fernanda Torres won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her performance in I’m Still Here. The Portuguese-language film tells the tale of a woman rebuilding her life after her family is shattered by violence during the 1971 military dictatorship in Brazil.

Sebastian Stan was named Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his role in A Different Man, a film centered on a man with facial disfigurement. Stan used his speech to advocate for greater awareness: “Our ignorance and discomfort around disability and disfigurement has to end now. We have to normalize it and continue to expose ourselves to it and our children.”

Kieran Culkin earned the award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in A Real Pain, a dramedy about cousins reconnecting with their Polish roots.

The night’s first-time host, Nikki Glaser, opened with sharp humor, dubbing the event “Ozempic’s biggest night” in a nod to Hollywood’s weight loss obsession. She playfully teased Timothée Chalamet, Harrison Ford, Selena Gomez, and other notable attendees, quipping, “You could do anything, except tell the country who to vote for.”

On the red carpet, stars dazzled in black, gold, and silver gowns, with bursts of red and periwinkle making appearances. Ariana Grande, starring in Wicked, turned heads in a yellow Givenchy gown, paying homage to the yellow brick road.

The Golden Globe winners were chosen by 334 entertainment journalists from 85 countries, a voting body that has expanded and undergone reforms following criticism over ethical lapses and a lack of diversity.

In television, Hacks won Best Musical or Comedy Series, Baby Reindeer took Best Limited Series, and Shogun earned Best TV Drama.