The 2025 Golden Globe nominations stirred up excitement and controversy, showcasing the award show’s tradition of unpredictability. This year, Emilia Pérez emerged as a notable contender, clinching a record-setting 10 nominations for a comedy or musical from Netflix, despite facing social media backlash in the previous month. Meanwhile, while “Sing Sing” garnered numerous accolades, including several Gotham Awards and Spirit Award nominations, the Globes largely overlooked it, with Colman Domingo receiving the lone nod for Best Actor.
As always, the nominations came with both surprises and snubs that could impact the broader awards season.
One of the standout surprises came in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama category, where both Kate Winslet and Pamela Anderson received nominations for their performances in films that have not garnered a lot of attention. Winslet was recognized for her role in “Lee,” a biopic about photographer Lee Miller, which she also produced. Anderson’s nomination for her performance in “The Last Showgirl” marked her first Golden Globe nomination, and critics have praised it as her best work to date. Their nominations keep the conversation alive around their films, despite the challenging competition they face for the Oscars.
However, these nods came at the expense of other acclaimed performances, such as Saoirse Ronan in “The Outrun” and Marianne Jean-Baptiste in “Hard Truths.” The absence of Ronan, who delivered a poignant portrayal of recovery, especially stands out given the recognition Jean-Baptiste has received from various critics’ circles.
Danielle Deadwyler’s exclusion from the Best Supporting Actress category, despite her powerful performance in “The Piano Lesson,” has also raised eyebrows. This echoes her previous snub for “Till” in 2023, but it remains to be seen how her Indie Spirit nomination will influence the academy’s decisions.
In a surprising turn, Kate Winslet also received a nomination for her performance in “The Regime,” an HBO satire that mostly flew under the radar during the Emmys. Her dual nominations underscore her range as an actress, with her performance as a dictator diverging sharply from her usual roles.
Conversely, “Sing Sing,” which had garnered substantial momentum leading up to the nominations, received only one nod for Domingo, missing out on Best Film and key acting categories.
On the television side, Allison Janney’s impactful return in “The Diplomat” earned her a nomination, despite only appearing in the latter part of the season. Her portrayal of Vice President Grace Penn showcased her talent, leading to promising expectations for the show’s next installment.
This year’s Golden Globe nominations highlight the volatility of the awards circuit and set the stage for an intriguing race toward the Oscars.
Overall, while there were disappointments, the surprises reveal a diverse range of talent and exciting stories. The snubs present an opportunity for the films and performances overlooked to gain traction and resonate with audiences in upcoming awards, reinforcing that the celebration of art can always find new paths to recognition.