Introduction: Why the 2025 Golden Globes Matter
Just like that, award season is fast approaching once again, serving as a mirror to reflect cultural and artistic trends, and societal conversations of the moment.
The 2025 Golden Globes are no exception, arriving at a time when film and television continue to break boundaries and challenge norms. Over the years, award ceremonies have not just been celebrating cinematic excellence but also diversity, innovation, and bold storytelling that resonate with global audiences.
With a lineup defying gravity convention, next year’s awards will surely be a blueprint for the future of film and television.
In today’s blog post, we’ll be showcasing 2025’s top nominees, who may have been unfairly snubbed, and what we as writers can take away from those in the spotlight. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Top Nominees: Key Films and Why They Shine
This year, the Golden Globes’ spotlight falls on several groundbreaking films and performances that have captivated audiences and critics alike. Let’s take a look at some of the standout contenders.
Best Drama: The Brutalist
A24’s The Brutalist stands out for its stark yet stunning exploration of architectural ambition and human fragility. Director Brady Corbet employed a minimalist visual style to complement the movie’s emotional depth.
Corbet also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Mona Fastvold, the writers capturing themes of ambition, sacrifice and legacy, making it a solid candidate for Best Drama in 2025.
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Best Drama: Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve’s sequel to the sci-fi epic brings Frank Herbet’s universe to life with grandeur and precision. Dune: Part Two combines sweeping visuals, intricate narrative, and standout performances from Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
The film’s balance of internal conflict and external stakes exemplify why it’s earned its place in the spotlight.
Best Comedy or Musical: Challengers
Blending romance and rivalry in the world of competitive tennis, Challengers stars Zendaya as a coach navigating personal and professional entanglements. While not all of us are superstar tennis players, we can all relate to the struggle of balancing our home and working lives.
With a unique mix of humor, drama, and sports, Challengers could well take the top spot next year!
Best Comedy or Musical: Wicked
You probably can’t go five minutes without hearing a rendition of a Wicked song or someone quoting the movie. But the long-anticipated adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical has also got critics raving.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film’s dazzling musical numbers and heartfelt performances breathe new life into the classic tale of Elphaba and Glinda.
Best Animated Feature: Inside Out 2
The sequel to the acclaimed Inside Out delves deeper into the trials and tribulations that is adolescence.
With new characters representing additional emotions such as embarrassment and anxiety, the movie expands on its predecessor’s innovative storytelling. Inside Out 2’s ability to tackle complex themes with humor, for us, makes it a frontrunner in the animated category.
Best International Film: Emilia Pérez
With its daring blend of humor, music and drama, Emilia Pérez tells the story of a fugitive who undergoes a life-changing transformation.
With its bold narrative structure and vibrant performances from Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez, the film has captivated audiences worldwide.
Best Director/Best Screenplay: Coralie Fargeat The Substance
This wouldn’t be a Celtx blog if we didn’t scour through the Best Screenplay category. Up for both the best screenplay and director categories, Fargeat’s body horror uses its premise as a metaphor for addiction and societal decay. Her sharp direction and innovative storytelling techniques in The Substance elevate the film beyond traditional horror, making Fargeat a standout director among her fellow nominees.
The Rise of Horror: The Substance and Heretic
Horror has long been considered more of a niche genre, but recent years have seen its rise into the mainstream. You only have to look at the 2025 Golden Globe nominations to see this shift in action, but two horror films making waves.
The Substance
This chilling exploration of addiction and societal decay blends psychological horror with harsh social commentary.
Writer and director Coralie Fargeat challenges audiences to confront their own fears and prejudices. This is coupled with haunting cinematography and an unsettling score that lingers long after the credits roll, and even longer in our minds.
Heretic
It’s impossible not to see Hugh Grant in a totally different light after watching this movie. Heretic is a modern take on religious horror, exploring the clash between faith and fanaticism.
Director Omar Vance creates an atmosphere of dread while tackling the complex themes of morality and belief. His vision only exemplifies how horror can transcend its jump scares to offer profound reflections on humanity. It’s this that makes Heretic a welcome contender on this year’s award circuit.
Key Trends: Genre, Representation, and Unique Narratives
The 2025 Golden Globe nominees highlight several critical trends that are redefining the cultural entertainment landscape.
We’re noticing that genre conventions are being experimented with more and more, with genres almost being redefined. Films like Dune: Part Two, The Substance and The Brutalist highlight just how audiences are increasingly drawn to stories that blend elements of drama, science fiction, and horror.
What results is a more immersive and unpredictable viewing experience.
Alongside innovation in genre, we’ve seen more of a focus on unique narratives. More and more, audiences are craving originality. Films like Wicked and Heretic defy traditional storytelling norms, offering fresh perspectives on old stories, and unexpected twists.
Narratives that push creative boundaries are only going to continue to inspire both filmmakers and viewers to think differently.
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Themes of internal struggle colliding with external challenges also adds to these evolving narratives, prevalent in The Substance, for example. There is a deep dive into how characters’ internal conflicts drive their actions, adding depth and relatability to larger, external stakes.
But perhaps the biggest shift we’ve seen is in the rise of diverse storytelling. This year, representation has taken center stage, with movies like Emilia Pérez and A Real Pain telling stories from underrepresented communities. They offer fresh perspectives and celebrate the richness of human experience.
From Jacques Audiard’s nuanced take on identity in Emilia Pérez to Jesse Eisenberg’s exploration of cultural roots in A Real Pain, this year’s nominees reaffirm the importance of inclusivity in filmmaking.
Snubs and Surprises
As with any award season, there are always those movies that you’re surprised see little or no recognition in the nominations list. This year’s Golden Globes are no different, coming with their fair share of surprises and snubs.
Fans were shocked by the omission of Gladiator II in the Best Drama category despite its box office success and critical acclaim, was well as being one of the most anticipated movies of 2024.
Conversely, we see The Wild Robot storm into the running, with an unexpected nod in the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category. As we’ve seen, genre is really starting to make its mark, with The Wild Robot’s sci-fi narrative proving extremely popular.
Writing Takeaways: Lessons for Aspiring Writers
The stories honored at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards offer invaluable lessons to us screenwriters looking to hone our craft. Let’s run through the key takeaways from this years’ nominees and how they can inspire our own project, both now and in the future.
Lesson 1 – Embrace Complexity
Complex characters and plots are way more likely to resonate deeply with audiences. Take the layered family dynamics in The Brutalist, or the moral ambiguity in Heretic, both challenging us to think differently and consider our own lives.
By adopting such approaches in our own writing and acknowledging the shades of gray in our human experiences feels more authentic and compelling and makes for an all-round stronger story.
Lesson 2 – Blend Genres Thoughtfully
The success of genre-defying films like The Substance and Dune: Part Two demonstrates the power of taking creative risks. We should all experiment with blending genres in our writing, as long as it has a clear message that enhances the story’s clear message to our audience.
Lesson 3 – Prioritize Inclusivity and Representation
We spoke of growing representation as a trend, but it should now become a responsibility for all filmmakers. By including authentic and diverse characters and narratives, we can genuinely reflect the world we live in, and also introduce new perspectives to that world.
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Lesson 4 – Focus on Universal Themes
We always say to be original in your writing, but it’s also important to consider making your themes as universal as possible (like love, loss, and identity).
While Challengers is set against the backdrop of competitive tennis, a niche sport, it succeeds because it balances a unique premise with a relatable and emotional journey.
Lesson 5 – Create Memorable Visuals
Cinematic storytelling is inherently visual. Dune: Part Two and The Substance remind us of the power of striking imagery. It’s important we focus on thinking cinematically and how our words will translate onto screen.
By incorporating vivid descriptions and impactful scenes that will leave lasting impressions, we can authentically capture the spectacle of our stories.
Lesson 6 – Build Strong Character Arcs
A compelling character arc can elevate any story, and we all love to see a stark change from the beginning to the end of a movie for our protagonist!
Emilia’s transformation in Emilia Pérez to the internal struggles faced by the characters in A Real Pain are all examples of well-crafted arcs that create emotional resonance and keep audience invested all the way through.
Conclusion: Looking Ahead to the Awards
The 2025 Golden Globes illuminate an exciting moment in entertainment, showcasing a collection of stories that push creative boundaries and celebrate diverse voices.
This year’s nominees are all shining stars of innovation, from genre-bending films like The Substance and Dune: Part Two to deeply personal narratives like Emilia Pérez and A Real Pain. These works reflect not just artistic excellence but also a profound understanding of the human condition, inviting audiences to see themselves in stories that span cultures, experiences, and genres.
For us screenwriters, the lessons from these nominees are clear: embrace complexity, challenge conventions, and craft narratives that resonate with a wide range of people. Representation and inclusivity are not optional but are integral to stories that inspire and endure.
As we anticipate the winners of the 2025 Golden Globes, it’s clear that the future of film and television is bold, inclusive, and deeply imaginative. These stories remind us of the power of storytelling to connect, challenge, and change perspectives.
For the full list of nominees for the 2025 Golden Globes click here, ready to tune in on January 5th when we’ll discover who’s triumphed! If this post has also inspired you to write your next screenplay, make sure to check out Celtx’s wide range of resources and tools to help you on your way. Let’s do this!
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