Beverly Hills, CA – Paul Thomas Anderson’s screwball thriller “One Battle After Another” dominated the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, winning Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, marking a significant victory as the awards season kicks into high gear. The film secured four wins overall, including accolades for Anderson as Best Director and Teyana Taylor as Best Supporting Actress. The ceremony also saw a surprise win for “Hamnet” as Best Drama Film.
The Golden Globes, held in Beverly Hills, are widely considered a key indicator of success heading into the Academy Awards in March. This year’s event highlighted a diverse range of films and television series, with political and social themes frequently surfacing both on and off screen.
“One Battle After Another” Leads the Pack at the Golden Globes
“One Battle After Another,” a film centered on an aging revolutionary portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, resonated with both audiences and critics due to its exploration of contemporary American polarization. The film’s narrative, featuring leftist radicals, immigration issues, and white supremacist elements, proved timely and impactful. Anderson expressed his gratitude, stating, “You guys are being so generous with this affection for me and this film — and I’ll take it.”
However, DiCaprio was notably absent from the winner’s circle in the lead actor category. Timothée Chalamet took home the award for his performance in “Marty Supreme,” a film depicting an ambitious 1950s table tennis player. Chalamet acknowledged the strength of the competition, stating he “look[ed] up to all” his fellow nominees, including George Clooney and Ethan Hawke.
Surprise Victory for “Hamnet”
The biggest upset of the night came with the win for “Hamnet” in the Best Drama Film category. The film, a literary adaptation exploring the life of William Shakespeare and his family’s grief over the loss of their son, was considered a long shot against Ryan Coogler’s highly anticipated “Sinners.”
Steven Spielberg, a producer on “Sinners,” praised director Chloe Zhao’s talent before presenting the award. Zhao dedicated the win to the cast and crew, acknowledging personal losses experienced during production. She also highlighted her professional connection with Coogler, both having trained at Robert Redford’s Sundance film labs.
Jessie Buckley was recognized for her performance in “Hamnet,” winning Best Drama Actress. “Sinners” did receive recognition, securing the award for Best Score and the newly introduced “best cinematic and box office achievement” award.
Other notable wins included Stellan Skarsgard for Best Supporting Actor in “Sentimental Value,” Rose Byrne for Best Comedy Actress in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” and Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” for Best Song and Best Animated Film. In television, “Adolescence” led with four wins, while “The Pitt” and “The Studio” took top honors in the drama and comedy categories, respectively.
Political Statements and Social Awareness at the Awards
Beyond the film awards, the ceremony saw several celebrities using the platform to express political views. Brazilian thriller “The Secret Agent” won Best Non-English Language Film and Best Actor for Wagner Moura, with director Kleber Mendonca Filho attempting to make a statement about the importance of filmmaking in the current political climate. His speech was cut short by music.
Additionally, numerous attendees, including Mark Ruffalo, Natasha Lyonne, and Wanda Sykes, wore pins reading “BE GOOD” in tribute to Renee Good, a woman fatally shot by a federal agent, and to protest President Trump’s immigration policies. Jean Smart, winning for “Hacks,” also sported the pin, stating, “Let’s do the right thing.” This display of social awareness underscored a growing trend of using awards shows as platforms for advocacy.
The Golden Globes have concluded, setting the stage for the upcoming awards season. The nominations for the Academy Awards are expected to be announced later this month, with the ceremony scheduled for March. While “One Battle After Another” appears to be a frontrunner, the surprise win for “Hamnet” demonstrates the unpredictable nature of awards season, and the potential for other films to gain momentum in the weeks ahead. The industry will be watching closely to see which films and performances continue to resonate with voters as the race to the Oscars intensifies.
