With surprises, emotions, and many questions about the upcoming Oscars, the Golden Globes concluded once again this year. The awards ceremony crowned Emilia Pérez by Netflix and the epic drama The Brutalist by A24 as the big winners.

As the world eagerly awaits the announcement of the 2025 Oscar nominations—scheduled for March 2—the Golden Globes provide an early glimpse of potential trends for the coveted gold statuettes.

Adrien Brody Triumphs Over Timothée Chalamet in Best Actor Category

Although Timothée Chalamet was considered the favorite for Best Actor for his role in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, Adrien Brody ultimately won the award.

Brody’s victory in the top category on Sunday dealt a significant blow to Chalamet’s Oscar prospects, especially since Brody, the star of The Brutalist, delivered a compelling acceptance speech that may give him an edge in the Oscar race.

If Brody wins the Oscar for Best Actor, it would mark the second time he has claimed this honor—his first being for The Pianist.

In his acceptance speech, Brody thanked the film’s cast and crew, as well as his partner Georgina Chapman (former wife of Harvey Weinstein), his parents, and grandparents. He described the film as a tribute to the courage of immigrants in the U.S. and the power of creativity and art.

Woke Culture vs. the U.S.

The entertainment industry was shaken last November by Donald Trump’s significant election victory, which exposed the waning influence of celebrity endorsements, as nearly all celebrities had supported Kamala Harris.

This dissatisfaction was evident at the Golden Globes, where films like Emilia Pérez and The Brutalist dominated the awards, addressing themes of immigration and inclusion—particularly Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language musical centered on a transgender individual.

However, with nearly 10,000 more voters participating in the Oscars, the Academy may judge the films less radically.

Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres Defy Industry Giants

Demi Moore won over audiences not only with her stunning appearance but also with her captivating performance in The Elixir of Youth, which earned her the Golden Globe for Best Actress—her first major award in her 45-year acting career.

“Thirty years ago, a producer told me I was a popcorn actress, and at that time, I let that mean I wasn’t allowed to achieve anything beyond that. I could make movies that made a lot of money, but I couldn’t be recognized, and I believed it,” Moore said, reflecting on how those words left a lasting impact on her. However, she decided to postpone her early retirement after receiving the script for The Elixir of Youth.

Meanwhile, Fernanda Torres, star of I’m Still Here, achieved a major upset by winning over prominent names such as Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Tilda Swinton, and Pamela Anderson. According to The Guardian, Torres’ victory may be attributed to the Golden Globes’ recent inclusion of 200 new international voters, which likely played a decisive role.

Consequently, Torres’ chances of winning an Oscar have significantly increased, and this triumph could open doors to more prominent roles in the future.

The Unexpected Defeats

Although the Golden Globes spotlighted several international films, Sean Baker’s Anora, which had won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, lost to Emilia Pérez despite being a favorite in numerous categories.

Other films that surprisingly walked away empty-handed include Inside Out 2 (which lost to Flow in the animated film category), Dune: Part Two, Sing Sing Sing, and A Complete Unknown.

Supporting Roles… the Key to Oscar Gold

Just like last year, when Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Robert Downey Jr. swept the supporting role categories, this year Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin appear to be strong contenders for Oscar victories.

Saldana delivered a powerful speech on transgender rights while accepting her award for her performance in Emilia Pérez. Meanwhile, Culkin—known for his role in the hit series Succession—received his award with drunken humor for his role in A Real Pain, further boosting his Oscar chances.