At a Glance
- Wagner Moura becomes second Brazilian actor to win a Golden Globe, following Fernanda Torres
- “Adolescence” dominates with four wins, including best limited series
- Seth Rogen wins first Globe months after his show “The Studio” mocked the awards
- “The Secret Agent” wins best non-English film, marking Brazil’s continued awards rise
- Why it matters: Brazil’s back-to-back acting wins signal a shift in Hollywood recognition of global talent
Brazilian cinema and television scored historic wins at the Golden Globes, with Wagner Moura taking best actor in a movie drama and the British limited series “Adolescence” securing four trophies. The ceremony mixed predictable victories with emotional speeches and unexpected moments.
Brazil’s Historic Night
Wagner Moura won the Golden Globe for lead actor in a movie drama for his role in “The Secret Agent,” becoming only the second Brazilian to claim a Globes acting prize after Fernanda Torres’ win last year. The film also won best non-English language film.
In the movie, Moura portrays a former professor forced into hiding while protecting his young son during Brazil’s 1970s military dictatorship. The actor dedicated his win to those “sticking with their values in difficult moments.”
Moura beat out Joel Edgerton in “Train Dreams,” Oscar Isaac from “Frankenstein,” Dwayne Johnson in “The Smashing Machine,” Michael B. Jordan in “Sinners” and Jeremy Allen White from “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.”
The victory continues Brazil’s recent awards momentum. Last year, the country earned its first Oscar win in the international film category for “I’m Still Here.”
‘Adolescence’ Dominates Television
The Netflix limited series “Adolescence” emerged as the night’s biggest television winner, collecting four Golden Globes. The four-part series, which examines the emotional aftermath of a U.K. teenager’s stabbing, previously won eight Emmy Awards including outstanding limited series.
Sunday’s wins for “Adolescence”:
- Best limited series, anthology series, or motion picture made for television
- TV male supporting actor for Owen Cooper
- TV female supporting actor for Erin Doherty
- TV lead male actor for Stephen Graham
Writer Jack Thorne used his acceptance speech to highlight the young cast members. “You are proof the world can be better,” he told them. “Removing hate is our generation’s responsibility. It requires thought from the top down. The possibility seems remote right now, but hope is a beautiful thing.”
Seth Rogen’s Art Imitates Life
Seth Rogen claimed his first Golden Globe for “The Studio,” winning just months after the showbiz satire devoted an entire episode to the awards ceremony. In the episode, Rogen’s character attends the Globes obsessed with getting mentioned in an acceptance speech.
“This is so weird! We just pretended to do this and now it is happening!” Rogen exclaimed while holding his trophy. “I thought the only way I would get to hold one is to create a whole show to give myself a fake one.”
The actor-comedian thanked his fellow nominees, specifically calling out Steve Martin and Martin Short from “Only Murders in the Building.” “I remember growing up watching you guys, my whole life thinking, ‘One day I’m going to beat them.’ I did not think that.”
Amy Poehler’s NPR Jab
Amy Poehler won the inaugural best podcast award for “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” using her speech to take a playful shot at National Public Radio.
“I know that I am new to this game. I have great respect for this form,” Poehler said. “I have great respect for everyone I am nominated with. I am big fans of all of you – except for NPR: just a bunch of celebs phoning it in. Try harder.”
Her show defeated “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard,” “Call Her Daddy,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” “SmartLess” and “Up First” from NPR. Poehler also bested her ex-husband Will Arnett, who co-hosts “SmartLess.”
This marks Poehler’s second Globe, having previously won in 2014 for “Parks and Recreation.” She described her podcast as an attempt to make a “rough and unkind world filled with a little bit more love and laughter.”
Memorable Moments
The ceremony delivered several touching and unusual moments beyond the major wins.
Erin Doherty, who won best female actor in a supporting role on television for “Adolescence,” thanked therapists during her acceptance speech. Her character in the series plays a child therapist.
George Clooney provided assistance twice, helping Jean Smart up to the podium and later hugging his former “ER” co-star Noah Wyle on his way to accept best TV drama for “The Pitt.”
Rose Byrne revealed why her partner Bobby Cannavale missed her win – he was attending a reptile expo in New Jersey because the family was getting a bearded dragon.
Rhea Seehorn won for her role in “Pluribus,” and used her acceptance to tell presenter Queen Latifah about meeting her 20 years ago while between jobs. “You were so nice,” she told Latifah.
Music and Animation Wins
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won best original song. Co-writer Ejae shared her journey from aspiring K-pop idol rejection to Golden Globe winner.
“When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fill one dream – to become a K-pop idol. I was rejected, and disappointed that my voice wasn’t good enough,” she said. “Now I’m here as a singer and a songwriter.”
The “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Soundtracks chart and No. 8 on the all-genre Billboard 200. The movie also won best animated film.
Key Takeaways
- Brazil’s film industry continues its awards breakthrough with back-to-back acting wins
- “Adolescence” cements its status as a critical darling with four more trophies
- The Golden Globes expanded categories to include podcasts, with Amy Poehler claiming the first
- Streaming platforms dominated the television categories, with Netflix’s “Adolescence” leading the pack
- The ceremony balanced celebration of achievements with moments of humor and heartfelt appreciation
