Anora faced a disappointing outcome at the Golden Globes, finishing without a single win across five categories in which it was nominated. Initially embraced by critics and award enthusiasts, Sean Baker’s highly regarded coming-of-age sex drama was considered a frontrunner throughout the awards season, leading many to predict it would excel at the Globes. With five nominations—one of the highest counts of any film—there were strong expectations that Anora would secure at least one Golden Globe.
The results of the 2025 Golden Globes brought unexpected developments, with Anora suffering a surprising shutout at the ceremony hosted by Nikki Glaser. The film, nominated for prestigious categories such as Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, and Best Actress – Musical or Comedy, left many in disbelief after it failed to win any awards. This turn of events raises questions about Anora’s prospects in the upcoming Oscars, particularly regarding whether the Golden Globes loss reflects a broader sentiment among voters.
Reasons Behind Anora’s Golden Globes Losses
Expected Wins Slip Away
Predicting the Golden Globes can often prove challenging due to the differing voting body from that of the Academy Awards. Nonetheless, Anora was widely regarded as a strong contender with nominations in key categories, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress – Musical or Comedy. Many had anticipated that Mikey Madison would take home the Best Actress award, while the film was seen as a substantial competitor for Emilia Pérez in the Best Motion Picture category.
Despite these expectations, Anora went home empty-handed, ceding wins to other contenders. Emilia Pérez triumphed in the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category, bolstered by its impressive ten nominations. Brady Corbet snagged the Best Director award for The Brutalist, an outcome often associated with winning Best Motion Picture – Drama. Meanwhile, Yura Borislov lost Best Supporting Actor to Oscars frontrunner Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), and Conclave took home the Best Screenplay award, which were among the anticipated losses for Anora.
The biggest shock came from the Best Actress category, where Demi Moore won for her role in The Substance. Although Moore has a history of being recognized by the Globes, she was not viewed as a strong frontrunner. This upset clouded the outlook for Madison, who had been the likely winner leading up to the awards, casting uncertainty on her future Oscar chances.
The Impact of Anora’s Golden Globes Outcome on Oscars Prospects
Anticipated Academy Recognition
Despite its unsatisfactory performance at the Golden Globes, Anora remains a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards. The film is still vying for multiple nominations when the results are announced on January 17, 2025. Categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing all have notable chances of including Anora in their ranks, with the potential for Best Supporting Actor recognition as well.
The impressive count of five Golden Globe nominations remains significant, tying Anora with The Substance for the fourth highest total in the film category, following Emilia Pérez (10), The Brutalist (7), and Conclave (6). These films are also potential Oscar contenders, positioning Anora well with industry voters. However, a lingering question persists: if Anora’s accolades will translate to Oscar wins, or if it will continue to be overshadowed by formidable competitors like Emilia Pérez, The Brutalist, Conclave, and The Substance.
Mikey Madison’s Oscar Contenders Threatened by Globe Results
Implications of a Golden Globes Win for Demi Moore
The loss of the Best Actress – Musical or Comedy award is particularly poignant for Anora, as Mikey Madison was heavily favored. With a strong awards season leading up to the Globes, Madison’s previous wins bolstered her frontrunner status. However, Moore’s unexpected victory has shifted the narrative considerably, setting a challenging path for Madison moving forward.
Moore’s strong performances and her impactful acceptance speech have created a wave of momentum that could heavily influence the Oscars. Historically, the Academy has shown a tendency to favor seasoned nominees over first-time candidates, especially younger actors like Madison. This scenario presents a significant challenge, as it suggests a potential uphill battle for Madison as she competes against Moore.
If Madison had emerged victorious at the Globes, it could have solidified her position as the Best Actress frontrunner for the Oscars, similar to Kieran Culkin or Zoe Saldaña’s strong positions in their respective categories. Now, with Moore gaining recognition, the race is expected to become far more competitive, and Madison will need to fend off Moore’s rising star in subsequent awards to claim the Oscar.
Implications of Anora’s Golden Globes Losses on Oscars & Best Picture
Historical Context for Anora’s Best Picture Aspirations
Despite the challenges presented by its Golden Globes performance, Anora has not been entirely ruled out of the Oscars race. Given the film’s potential leverage in the preferential ballot for Best Picture, alongside Mikey Madison’s prospects for Best Actress, there remains a tangible opportunity for Anora to secure several Academy Awards on March 2, 2025.
However, it is crucial to recognize that the historical trend is not necessarily favorable for films that do not win any Golden Globe awards. Only seven films have won the Best Picture Oscar without a corresponding Golden Globe victory, signifying that 74 of the last 81 Best Picture winners took home at least one Globe. The exclusive ranks of films that have achieved this feat include classics like Casablanca and modern films such as CODA, but these instances remain rare.
As Neon hopes for Anora to join this distinguished group, it is important to note the differences in strategy and recognition in this awards season—CODA was a late contender rather than an early frontrunner, contrasting sharply with Anora’s current standing. While I still believe Anora has a strong chance of winning Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars, the certainty of that prediction has significantly wavered following the Golden Globes.
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