5 Things To Watch For During Tonight's Golden Globes (and who will win)

The Golden Globes are a show that has always been a little questionable in purpose, intentionally messy in execution and yet somehow impossible to quit. For years, it hovered in the background as something you flipped to during NFL playoffs just to see gave a drunk speech. This year, withh a can't-miss host and a genuinely wild slate of nominees, the Globes might actually deserve your full attention again.

Spoiler alert. Here’s what to expect.

 

1. Nikki Glaser will wildly entertain and mildly disappoint and that’s okay

Nikki Glaser set an absurdly high bar last year. Ratings went up, critics were happy and the show briefly avoided extinction. Long story. That bar is now so high there’s basically no way she tops it, whether she plays it safe or swings harder. But here’s the thing. She is still the best awards show host working right now and even her off night is better than most people’s career highlights.

 

2. Horror is officially having a monster year

This may be the first time serious awards categories are openly embracing horror in a big way. We’re talking a vampire film as a major drama frontrunner, a zombie/witch film dominating supporting actress chatter and an actual monster performance putting Jacob Elordi in the supporting actor conversation. Animated horror even shows up with K Pop Demon Hunters. 

Horrifying Predictions:

Wins for Sinners 

Best Motion Picture Drama
Best Original Score
Box Office Achievement

Maybe Michael B. Jordan, Best Actor, 

Wins for Weapons

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Amy Madigan

Wins for K Pop Demon Hunters
Best Animated Feature
Best Original Song Golden

3. International films are everywhere and yes, you will be reading subtitles

Non-English language films are no longer confined to their own corner. The newer voting body has made it clear they are paying attention to global cinema and it shows. Expect to hear titles like Sentimental Value, The Secret Agent, It Was Just an Accident, No Other Choice and Sirāt popping up in major categories. 

Predicted winners:
The Secret Agent
Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama: Wagner Moura

Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Stellan Skarsgård

It Was Just an Accident
Best Non English Language Film

If you see the room stand, here's why: Director Jafar Panahi has faced repeated arrests and imprisonment by Iranian authorities over the years for his filmmaking and political stance making the film’s themes resonate directly with reality.

4. The speeches absolutely matter this year

The Globes are looser, funnier and less formal than the Oscars which is exactly why the speeches matter so much. Even though the Globes share zero voters with the Academy, it’s impossible not to read these moments as momentum setters. If you remember last year, you remember Demi Moore and how a great speech can launch an awards run. A bad one can stop it cold. One of the tightest races this year is Actress, with Oscar frontrunners split across drama and comedy here. This is the speech to watch if you want clues.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical: Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

5. Warner Bros will clean up

Despite my personal love for Hamnet and how it should be the filmaker choice of the year in any race where it's not up against One Battle, this looks like a huge night for Warner Bros. They have heavyweight contenders across multiple categories and the math is on their side.

Predictions:

One Battle After Another (Warner Brothers)
Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Potential Supporting wins for Teyana Taylor and Benicio Del Toro

Sinners (Warner Brothers)
Best Motion Picture Drama
Best Original Score
Box Office Achievement

Those are the five film things, but I forgot...

6. Yes there’s a podcast award now, and there will be television awards too

There will also be a podcast award for the first time ever. SmartLess feels like the time-earned, popular favorite while Good Hang with Amy Poehler has longtime Globes love. Either way you can expect a bit that makes watching live worth it. 

As for TV, most winners will echo Emmy season with one twist. Rhea Seehorn enters the conversation for Pluribus and likely wins, and for show it's up against The Pitt in a very tight race.

The Ten Buck Preview: The Golden Globes are back to being a genuinely fun night. Pour something good, make NFL the flipping channel, and enjoy the chaos.