Jacques Audiard’s groundbreaking narco-thriller musical Emilia Perez took the lead with 10 nominations at this year’s Golden Globe Awards, as the race for the Oscars intensifies. The film, which features a unique storyline about a Mexican drug lord transitioning to life as a woman, has captivated audiences and critics alike.
Transgender actress Karla Sofia Gascon stars in the title role, with Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana in supporting parts. All three actresses are nominated for Golden Globe awards, set to take place on January 5. The Golden Globes are often seen as a key indicator for the Academy Awards.
Following closely behind Emilia Perez is The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody as a Hungarian Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and later emigrates to the U.S. The film earned seven nominations, while Conclave, a drama about papal politics, secured six nods.
The film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked also garnered four nominations, including nods for Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
Emilia Perez made its mark earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Jury Prize. It also secured nominations for best original song, best score, best non-English language film, best screenplay, and best comedy or musical film.
The film will compete in the comedy-musical category against Wicked, Anora, Challengers, A Real Pain, and The Substance, starring Demi Moore. Many are anticipating a fierce competition in the lead actress category, with contenders including Erivo, Gascon, and Mikey Madison from Anora, alongside seasoned favorites like Amy Adams, Moore, and Zendaya.
Golden Globe nominations are split into drama and comedy/musical categories, offering more opportunities for stars to shine. On the drama side, The Brutalist sees Brody returning to the spotlight after his Oscar-winning performance in The Pianist. Conclave, based on Robert Harris’ novel, centers on the power struggles within the Vatican after the death of a pope. Ralph Fiennes and director Edward Berger were also recognized for their work on the film.
The Golden Globes will also honor the best in television, with The Bear receiving five nominations, while Shogun and Only Murders in the Building earned four nominations each. Comedian Nikki Glaser will host the star-studded event in Beverly Hills.
The Golden Globes are undergoing a transformation after a 2021 expose revealed the lack of diversity within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. With a revamped system and new ownership, the awards show aims to reclaim its status as a major Oscars predictor.
Clayton Davis, senior awards editor at Variety, calls the Golden Globes a “great barometer” for gauging international voter preferences ahead of the Academy Award nominations. As the Globes and Oscars season ramps up, all eyes will be on the January 5 gala to see which films and stars rise to the top.
