On Sunday 7th January 2024, the 81st Golden Globe Awards took place to honour achievements in both television and motion picture production. The awards are unique in that they celebrate excellence in both mediums of television and film; with a focus recognizing exceptional performances, directing, writing, and production. 

Reflecting on the releases of 2023, it was expected that Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer would be particularly favoured; the three-hour motion picture won five awards in total, with our favourite Irish king Cillian Murphy cinching best actor for his portrayal of the ‘father of the atom bomb’, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Then, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie also took home some awards; for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Best Original Song, “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas. 

This year, history was made for indigenous representation; as Lily Gladstone became the first Native American woman and two-spirit (gender non-conforming) actor to win Best Actress in a motion picture; for their portrayal in Martin Scorcese’s Killers of the Flower Moon; telling the story of the murders of the Osage people in Oklahoma and the intersecting formation of the FBI. Lily opened (who uses her/they pronouns) her speech in Siksiká, the language of the Blackfeet nation they belong to – a profound moment in a landscape that has been unable to prioritise Native American storytelling in previous years.

Jeremy Allen White, courtesy of @goldenglobe IG
Ayo Edebiri photographed by Benjamin Askinas, courtesy of @goldenglobes IG

As for television series, best believe that acclaimed financial family-drama ‘Succession’ received recognition following the premier of its final episode in May 2023. Other notable wins include ‘Beef’ – with the dark-comedy, limited series being the first show made by and starring Asian Americans to win, with Ali Wong and Steve Yeun winning respectively. Lastly, new kids on the block ‘The Bear’ also swept the show, with Ayo Edebiri winning Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy and Jeremy Allen White winning Best Actor in the same category. 

The dual focus of the Golden Globe’s reflects the evolving landscape of entertainment, as the television series format has advanced in the last two decades to artistically compete at the level of film. More than most other awards, the Golden Globes is said to influence public opinion and shape the trajectory of the entertainment industry.

Winners List: 

Best Motion Picture, Drama
“Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures) (WINNER)

Best Picture, Musical or Comedy
“Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures) (WINNER)

Best Director, Motion Picture
Christopher Nolan — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture
“Anatomy of a Fall” — Justine Triet, Arthur Harari (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Cillian Murphy — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama 
Lily Gladstone — “Killers of the Flower Moon” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Emma Stone – “Poor Things” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Paul Giamatti — “The Holdovers” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture 
Robert Downey Jr. — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture 
Da’Vine Joy Randolph — “The Holdovers” (WINNER)

Best Television Series, Drama 
“Succession” (HBO) (WINNER)

Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy 
“The Bear” (FX) (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama 
Kieran Culkin — “Succession” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama 
Sarah Snook — “Succession” (WINNER)

Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy 
Ayo Edebiri — “The Bear” (WINNER)

Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy 
Jeremy Allen White — “The Bear” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actor, Television
Matthew Macfadyen — “Succession” (WINNER)

Best Supporting Actress, Television 
Elizabeth Debicki — “The Crown” (WINNER)

Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television 
“Beef” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actor, Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

Steven Yeun — “Beef” (WINNER)

Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television 
Ali Wong — “Beef” (WINNER)

Best Original Score, Motion Picture 
Ludwig Göransson — “Oppenheimer” (WINNER)

Best Picture, Non-English Language 
“Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon) — France (WINNER)

Best Original Song, Motion Picture 
“Barbie” — “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas (WINNER)

Best Motion Picture, Animated 
“The Boy and the Heron” (GKids) (WINNER)

Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy or Television
Ricky Gervais — “Ricky Gervais: Armageddon” (WINNER)

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.) (WINNER)

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