The 2025 Golden Globe Awards proved a night of mixed fortunes, marked by unexpected triumphs and a notable lack of British success. While American actress Demi Moore celebrated her first Golden Globe win at the age of 62 for Best Actress, edging out established names like Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman, British hopefuls found themselves largely overlooked. Despite garnering critical acclaim and generating buzz, several prominent UK actors and filmmakers returned home empty-handed, a stark contrast to the celebratory atmosphere surrounding some of their American counterparts.
The disappointment was particularly acute for British cinema, with high-profile actors such as Daniel Craig, Eddie Redmayne, and Hugh Grant failing to secure wins in their respective categories. Craig’s performance in “Queer” was overshadowed by Adrien Brody’s compelling portrayal in “The Brutalist,” while Redmayne’s turn in “The Day of the Jackal” failed to resonate with the voters. Grant, despite strong reviews for “Heretic,” lost out in the Best Actor – Musical or Comedy category to Sebastian Stan for “A Different Man.” Even seasoned veterans like Gary Oldman and Ewan McGregor were unable to convert their nominations into wins.
The British contingent’s hopes rested largely on the critically acclaimed Netflix series, “Baby Reindeer.” While the show itself secured the coveted Best Limited TV Series award, creator Richard Gadd was beaten in the Best Actor category by Colin Farrell. However, there was a glimmer of hope for the “Baby Reindeer” team as British actress Jessica Gunning secured a win for Best Supporting Actress in a television category, dedicating her victory to the show’s transformative impact on her life.
The awards ceremony was punctuated by a series of surprising outcomes. Fernanda Torres delivered an upset victory in the Best Actress – Drama category for her performance in “I’m Still Here,” outshining nominees including Pamela Anderson, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Tilda Swinton, and Kate Winslet. Meanwhile, “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore, surprisingly triumphed in the Best Film – Musical or Comedy category, beating out contenders like “Emilia Pérez,” “Anora,” “Challengers,” and even the highly anticipated “Wicked.”
Beyond the competitive categories, the ceremony was also marked by an unusual incident involving actress Zoe Saldana. While celebrating her own win for Best Supporting Actress in a motion picture (musical/comedy) for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” Saldana unexpectedly appeared on stage during the announcement of another category, sparking confusion and drawing criticism from some viewers. This unscripted moment added an unexpected layer of drama to an already eventful night.
Overall, the 2025 Golden Globe Awards presented a complex picture. While established names like Demi Moore tasted victory and relative newcomers like Jessica Gunning enjoyed breakthrough moments, many highly-regarded British talents experienced the sting of disappointment. The unpredictable nature of the awards was further underscored by unexpected wins and unscripted incidents, reminding audiences of the often-unpredictable nature of such events. The ceremony concluded with a mix of celebration and contemplation, leaving attendees and viewers to ponder the outcomes and anticipate the future direction of the film and television landscape.
