At the Golden Globes, two major contenders, The Fabelmans and The Banshees of Inisherin, dominated the forecasts and emerged as prominent winners in a gala that celebrated television and cinema alike. The show highlighted Argentina, 1985, and Abbott Elementary, with Argentina, 1985 earning recognition in the foreign film category while Abbott Elementary made waves in television lineups.
Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical film The Fabelmans stood out by securing top honors for best dramatic film and best director. Another notable triumph came for The Banshees of Inisherin, Martin McDonagh’s highly acclaimed work, which captured three of the eight Globes it was nominated for, including Best Musical or Comedy Film, Best Musical or Comedy Actor for Colin Farrell, and Best Screenplay awarded to McDonagh himself.
Both The Fabelmans and The Banshees of Inisherin were widely tipped as potential Oscar favorites. Spielberg, the producer behind The Fabelmans, added an eighth Golden Globe to his storied career, reflecting on a lifelong project that traces the director’s own beginnings. The film nostalgically recounts his formative years in Ohio in the mid-20th century, charting the early experiences that would influence his artistic trajectory.
The Fabelmans is presented as a deeply personal examination of a young artist navigating the pressures of family life and the pull of creative ambition. The narrative spans the early 1950s, touching on the challenges of adolescence, the impact of relocation to different parts of the United States, and the social tensions of that era, including experiences of anti-Semitism that shaped the filmmaker’s youth.
Inisherin’s Banshees, for its part, took home the top prize among all eight nominations, delivering three statuettes out of eight. The British drama unfolds the story of two lifelong friends, Pádraic and Colm, whose bond fractures when Colm abruptly ends the relationship. Prompted by Pádraic’s sister and a troubled friend, the characters search for a path to mend the rift, but escalating tensions lead to consequences that change their lives. The film’s release in certain markets was staggered, with Spain awaiting a February date to bring it to theaters.
Other winners highlighted the evening’s breadth: Cate Blanchett was honored as Best Dramatic Actress for a role in a sweeping drama that wove through a world of classical music, a project directed by Todd Field. Blanchett did not attend the ceremony in person to collect the trophy. In the musical or comedy categories, Austin Butler claimed Best Dramatic Actor for his portrayal in Elvis, while Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan shone in Everything Everywhere All at Once, securing Best Musical or Comedy Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. Angela Bassett was recognized for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, earning a nod for Best Supporting Actress.