The 2025 Golden Globe Nominations Bring Horror Into the Spotlight

When it comes to prestigious award ceremonies, horror films are most often than not left in the dust, snubbed by various voting bodies who assume only the worst from the genre. But after a year of box office successes thanks to horror, as well as a slew of stellar releases, our favorite genre is getting the flowers it so deserves, at least when it comes to the Golden Globes. This year, three of the 2024’s best tales of terror were nominated for these prestigious awards across several categories.

First up, Hugh Grant nabbed a Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy nomination for his turn in Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s religious horror chamberpiece, Heretic. Head scratching at the category aside (I think we can all agree that Heretic is neither a musical nor a comedy), Grant more than deserves the nomination for his performance as the unhinged yet strangely charismatic Mr. Reed. While the actor is known for his roles as foppish young men in romantic comedies, Heretic allowed Grant to spread his wings and show a different side of that devilishly charming grin.

Also Read: ‘Heretic’ Interview: Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East Face a Different Kind of Monster [November Cover Story]

Dread Central’s managing editor Josh Korngut discuss Grant’s performance, along with Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East’s, in his review from the film’s world premiere at TIFF 2024. He wrote,

“Sophie Thatcher is something of an audience conduit, yet instead of delivering a boring nondescript performance, she delivers subtle greatness that’s hard to look away from. Chloe East’s performance on the other hand, is full of surprises that will keep you guessing until the final moments of this intimate chiller. And lest we forget Hugh Grant, who may just be playing his usual self by way of the sadisitic doctor from The Human Centipede, is an absolute joy to witness. Every small choice made by these three help ensure Heretic is a fun field trip into the religious macabre.”

Nipping closely on Grant’s heels is Amy Adams, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy for her turn in Nightbitch, directed by Marielle Heller and based on the novel by Rachel Yoder. Again, the category is strange, but we aren’t complaining to see Adams get recognition for going feral (literally) in a film about the nightmarish world of motherhood.

In his review from TIFF 2024, Korngut wrote of Nightbitch, “Heller’s brutal and feral use of body horror is a brilliant way to bust the myths of delicate, porcelain motherhood. Instead, it’s a celebration of its messy power.”

Also Read: ‘The Substance’ Director Coralie Fargeat On Crafting Her Body Horror Masterpiece

Finally, one horror film sweeped in major categories, one oozing with bodily fluids and pulsating green syringes. And that film would be Coralie Fargeat’s second feature film, The Substance. The shocking piece of body horror earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture-Musical/Comedy, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress in A Musical/Comedy (specifically, icon Demi Moore was nominated for her performance as aging star Elisabeth Sparkle).

The Substance, a satirical bloodbath about female bodies, aging, and what we’re willing to do to stay young, has taken the world by storm since its release. Fargeat’s eye for colors and design, paired with an amazing filmmaking team, put The Substance in a whole other reality, one that exists outside of how we think of time and space. With this suspension of reality, Fargeat is able to tell a ridiculous but deeply personal story about hating yourself, hating your body, and hating the world that’s made you so hateful.

These nominations not only speak to a growing appreciation of the genre, but of just how powerful the genre is in telling impactful stories. With award seasons starting to ramp up, hopefully the Golden Globes nominations are indicative of a surprising year where horror not only dominates the box office, but the awards, too.

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