The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony may have steered clear of overt political speeches, but its biggest winner delivered a powerful commentary on the modern American climate. Paul Thomas Anderson's epic 'One Battle After Another' emerged as the night's dominant force, securing four awards and cementing its status as a major contender in this year's awards season.
A Triumph for Anderson's Vision
The film claimed the top prize for Best Musical or Comedy, while Anderson himself was honoured with the award for Best Director. These wins further solidify the filmmaker's reputation, with many critics now regarding his technical mastery and ambitious storytelling as placing him among America's pre-eminent directors. The film's cast also shone, with Teyana Taylor winning Best Supporting Actress for her role.
Set against a backdrop reminiscent of a second Trump administration, 'One Battle After Another' features Leonardo DiCaprio as a dishevelled former revolutionary. Critics have praised the film for its unique ability to capture the 'febrile mood of reactionary hysteria' and the profound tension of those standing in opposition to it. While not a direct satire, Anderson's work is seen as intuitively engaging with the current political turbulence in a way few other films have managed.
Diverse Winners Across the Board
In the drama categories, Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet' won Best Drama. The film, a speculative romantic fantasy about William Shakespeare's wife Agnes (Anne Hathaway), also earned Jessie Buckley the award for Best Actress in a Drama. Buckley's performance was hailed as the heart and soul of a bold film that imagines how the death of the couple's son may have influenced the creation of 'Hamlet'.
Elsewhere, Timothée Chalamet won his first Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his hyper-energetic performance in Josh Safdie's ping-pong comedy 'Marty Supreme'. Rose Byrne also secured a win for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', a film embodying the year's existential anxiety.
International Recognition and a Strong List
The ceremony provided well-deserved recognition for international cinema, with Kleber Mendonça Filho's Brazilian thriller 'The Secret Agent' winning Best Non-English Language Film. Its star, Wagner Moura, won Best Actor in a Drama for his portrayal of a scientist on the run in 1970s Brazil.
The list of winners was widely seen as intelligent and serious, offering a refreshing reset for the Golden Globes following past scandals concerning diversity and ethics. The awards have effectively set the stage for the upcoming Oscars, with the race now appearing wide open between the political epic 'One Battle After Another', the historical fantasy 'Hamnet', and the delirious 'Marty Supreme'.
