The Golden Globe is always a spectacle of contrasts: predictable and unpredictable, loved and criticized, but never ignored, where surprises often steal the show. The Golden Globe 2025 nominations were no different.
From the return of familiar faces to the recognition of hidden talents, each surprise represented a fresh perspective in the entertainment world. Some choices made people raise their eyebrows in surprise, while others drew genuine smiles and even standing ovations from the audience.
These selections reminded everyone that awards ceremonies must celebrate creativity, transformation, and the unpredictable nature of talent.
Without further ado, here are the five biggest surprises of the Golden Globes 2025.
The most surprising Golden Globes 2025 nominations
1) Margaret Qualley, The Substance
Margaret Qualley proved that in the world of horror, blood and tears can come with awards. In The Substance, her performance seemed drawn from a poet-directed nightmare: visceral, disturbing, and magnetic. While many thought the film would be confined to technical categories, Qualley surprisingly broke through with her nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
This is a special moment for Qualley, yes, but also for the horror genre as a whole, which has struggled for recognition in major awards for years. Now, with The Substance, it was elevated to the status of art. And, in this work of art, Qualley showed that the most unsettling performances are often those that haunt us long after the credits roll.
2) Diego Luna, La Máquina (Hulu)
Diego Luna stepped into the ring with La Máquina and came out victorious with his Best Actor Golden Globe nomination. Playing Andy, a boxing manager obsessed with plastic surgeries, what Luna delivered with his performance was a metaphorical punch to our souls. He managed to turn an eccentric character into a deep portrait of vulnerability and greed, all while balancing dark humor and humanity.
Despite the series not being widely celebrated, Luna's strength ensured he was not overlooked. It's as if he delivered an artistic "knockout" to the voting committee—thus proving the power of great acting.
3) Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here
Fernanda Torres is a legend, but for many outside Brazil, her nomination for Best Actress in a Drama might have seemed like discovering a "new" talent. What a sweet mistake. For those who don't remember, Torres won Best Actress at Cannes for I Know That I'm Going to Love You in 1986, and now, almost four decades later, she's back on the international circuit in a melancholic yet powerful performance.
In I'm Still Here, Torres plays a woman confronting the shadows of her past while trying to find light in an uncertain present. Her nomination goes beyond the recognition of her impeccable acting—it's a celebration of the longevity of a talent that never settled. This is Brazil conquering the heart of cinema once again.
4) Pamela Anderson, The Last Showgirl
If Hollywood is the land of reinventions, Pamela Anderson just wrote the manual. Known for her Baywatch days and iconic 1990s figure, Anderson's nomination for Best Actress for The Last Showgirl came as a big surprise for many. In the film, she strips away her glamorous past to deliver a performance full of emotional nuances.
This Golden Globe nomination is proof that a career's second act can be as powerful as the first. Anderson showed that in an industry that often disregards women after a certain point, there's still room to shine. This was more than just a comeback—she's here to stay.
5) Coralie Fargeat, The Substance
The Substance did make waves. And the film's director, Coralie Fargeat did more than create a movie. It's as though she had sculpted a nightmare in metaphorical celluloid. She turned body horror into a meditation on control, obsession, and the limit of what we consider beautiful. With her Best Director Golden Globe nomination, Fargeat brought freshness to a category often dominated by more conventional approaches—and men.
This Golden Globe nomination is not just a personal triumph, but a milestone for filmmakers who dare to challenge the status quo. In an industry that still struggles to recognize female voices in main categories, Fargeat proved that talent and courage are an impossible combination to ignore.
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The surprises of the 2025 Golden Globe nominations came like truly exciting plot twists. Margaret Qualley redefined horror, Pamela Anderson rewrote her narrative, and Fernanda Torres reaffirmed her place among the all-time stars.
The 2025 Golden Globe nominations reminded us that sometimes the best stories come from plot twists we didn't see coming. When the unexpected leads, awards become more human, more exciting, and above all, more unforgettable.
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