The 81st Golden Globe Awards, held on January 7, 2024, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, delivered a night of expected triumphs and a few surprises. The ceremony, broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, saw historical drama 'Oppenheimer' and the final season of the corporate saga 'Succession' emerge as the biggest winners of the evening, solidifying their frontrunner status for the upcoming awards season.
'Oppenheimer' Explodes with Five Major Wins
Christopher Nolan's epic biographical thriller about the father of the atomic bomb proved to be an unstoppable force, clinching five prestigious awards. The film took home the night's top prize, Best Motion Picture - Drama. Its leading man, Cillian Murphy, was honoured as Best Actor in a Drama for his intense portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The film's success extended to its supporting cast and creator. Robert Downey Jr. won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Lewis Strauss, while Christopher Nolan secured the Best Director award. Ludwig Göransson's masterful score also earned the award for Best Original Score, completing a dominant sweep for the cinematic juggernaut.
Television Royalty: 'Succession' and 'The Bear' Reign Supreme
On the television side, the critically acclaimed final season of HBO's 'Succession' lived up to its name, succeeding with four wins. It was crowned Best Television Series - Drama. Three actors from the Roy family saga also triumphed: Kieran Culkin won Best Actor in a Drama Series, Sarah Snook won Best Actress in a Drama Series, and Matthew Macfadyen took home Best Supporting Actor.
In the comedy categories, the FX series 'The Bear' continued its awards streak, winning Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy. Its stars, Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri, also won Best Actor and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series, respectively.
Notable Wins and the New 'Barbie' Award
The night held significant victories for other films and shows. 'Poor Things' won Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, and its star, Emma Stone, won Best Actress in that category. In the non-English language film category, the French legal drama 'Anatomy of a Fall' emerged victorious.
A major talking point was the introduction of a new category: Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. This award was designed to honour the year's most popular films, and the first-ever recipient was the global phenomenon 'Barbie'. While it lost in other nominated categories, this win acknowledged its massive cultural and commercial impact. The film's hit song, 'What Was I Made For?' by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, also won Best Original Song.
Other key winners included 'Beef' (Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television), Steven Yeun and Ali Wong from 'Beef', and Ricky Gervais for Best Stand-Up Comedian on Television for his special 'Armageddon'.
The 2024 Golden Globes have decisively set the stage for the Oscars and Emmys race. With 'Oppenheimer' and 'Succession' leading the pack, the industry's momentum is clear. However, the recognition for 'Barbie' in a new category and the strong showing for 'The Bear' and 'Poor Things' indicate a diverse and competitive awards season ahead.
