One Battle After Another, Hamnet triumph at Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS – One Battle After Another reigned supreme at the Golden Globes on Jan 11, winning best comedy, while Hamnet sprung a surprise by taking best drama film at the splashy Hollywood ceremony.

American film-maker Paul Thomas Anderson’s screwball thriller One Battle, which centres on an ageing revolutionary played by Leonardo DiCaprio, led the night by winning four of its nine nominations.

It also collected awards for best director, best screenplay and best supporting actress for Teyana Taylor at the Globes gala, which is a key stepping stone on the road to the Oscars in March.

“You guys are being so generous with this affection for me and this film – and I’ll take it,” said Anderson, 55, with a beam.

His film – a rollicking ride featuring violent leftist radicals, immigration raids and white supremacists – has connected with audiences and critics at a time when the United States is deeply polarised.

But in the closely watched lead-actor category, DiCaprio was passed over in favour of Timothee Chalamet’s performance as an ambitious 1950s table-tennis player in Marty Supreme.

“I’m in a category with many greats – this category is stacked. I look up to all of you,” said Chalamet, 30, who also bested George Clooney (Jay Kelly) and Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon).

The American-French actor said his four previous Globes losses “make this moment that much sweeter” before thanking his girlfriend, American reality television star Kylie Jenner.

Hamnet upset

The Globes, awarded by more than 300 entertainment journalists, are among the first of the 2026 Hollywood accolades to be handed out before the film industry’s top honours, the Academy Awards, in March.

Globes voters do not have a say in the Oscars, but a win at the Globes can help bring attention to potential Academy Awards contenders. The Globes offer separate awards for dramas and comedies or musicals – widening the field of stars in attendance.

The night’s final award was its biggest surprise.

Hamnet, a tragic literary adaptation that imagines the life of William Shakespeare and his wife as they cope with the death of their son, took best drama.

Sinners, American film-maker Ryan Coogler’s period horror film about the segregated South of the 1930s, had been expected to prevail.

“I loved the book, but I felt there was really only one film-maker on the face of the planet who could tell the story,” said Steven Spielberg, 79, a producer of the movie, before handing the microphone to director Chloe Zhao.

Zhao, 43, dedicated the award to Hamnet cast and crew members who “lost their loved ones while we were making this film”.

The China-born director of best picture Oscar winner Nomadland (2020), also thanked Coogler, who honed his trade with her at the Sundance film labs set up by the late actor-director Robert Redford.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley, playing Shakespeare’s grief-stricken wife Agnes, won best drama actress honours.

“This was such an extraordinary set to be part of, telling the story of probably the most famous Brit who ever lived – and we had a Chinese director, a lot of Irish and a mostly Polish crew,” said Buckley, 36.

Sinners, which surprised moviegoers with its eclectic mix of vampires, politics, race relations and blues music, had to settle for best score, and the Globes’ recent – and vaguely defined – “best cinematic and box office achievement” award.

Sentimental Value, a Norwegian family dramedy, took best supporting actor for Stellan Skarsgard.

“I was not prepared for this because, of course, I thought I was too old,” the 74-year-old Swede said on stage.

A new Globe for podcasts went to Good Hang With Amy Poehler, in which the comedy star interviews mostly celebrity guests.

“This is an attempt to try to make a very rough and unkind world filled with a little bit more love and laughter, and laughing with people, not at them,” said the American actress, 54. “We just have such a good time making it.”

Netflix’s musical mega-hit

KPop Demon Hunters won best animated film

and the catchy Golden was named best original song.

“It’s never too late to shine like you were born to,” Korean-American singer Ejae, 34, said as she accepted the award.

Be Good

Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent, set during the country’s military dictatorship in the 1970s, won best non-English language film and best actor for Wagner Moura, the first Brazilian man to win in the category.

Its director Kleber Mendonca Filho tried to make a political point, but was played off the stage by music.

“This is a very important moment in time and history to be making films – here in the US, in Brazil,” the Brazilian film-maker, 57, said. “America’s young film-makers – make films.”

The Globes also honour the best in television. Searing teen murder saga Adolescence (2025) topped the section with four wins, while The Pitt (2025 to present) won best drama and The Studio (2025 to present) took the best comedy prize.

Host Nikki Glaser, 41, kicked off the evening with jokes on wide-ranging topics, including the release of redacted US government files about convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“The Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department,” said the American comedienne.

“There are so many A-listers. And by A-listers, I do mean people who are on a list that has been heavily redacted,” she added, referring to Epstein’s many celebrity friends.

Several celebrities – including American actors Mark Ruffalo, Natasha Lyonne and Wanda Sykes – walked the red carpet sporting pins with the message “Be Good”.

The badges are part of a tribute to Ms Renee Good, the US woman whose fatal shooting by a federal agent has sparked renewed protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

“Let’s do the right thing,” said American actress Jean Smart, after winning best comedy series actress for Hacks (2021 to present). She was also wearing a pin. AFP, REUTERS

List of key Golden Globe winners

Film

Best film, drama: Hamnet

Best film, musical or comedy: One Battle After Another

Best male actor, drama: Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

Best female actor, drama: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

Best male actor, musical or comedy: Timothee Chalamet, Marty Supreme

Best female actor, musical or comedy: Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Best supporting actor: Stellan Skarsgard, Sentimental Value

Best supporting actress: Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

Best director: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

Best screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another

Best non-English language film: The Secret Agent (Brazil)

Best cinematic and box office achievement: Sinners

Best animated feature: KPop Demon Hunters

Television

Best drama series: The Pitt

Best male actor, drama: Noah Wyle, The Pitt

Best female actor, drama: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus

Best musical or comedy series: The Studio

Best male actor, musical or comedy: Seth Rogen, The Studio

Best female actor, musical or comedy: Jean Smart, Hacks

Best limited series or TV movie: Adolescence

Best male actor, limited series or TV movie: Stephen Graham, Adolescence

Best female actor, limited series or TV movie: Michelle Williams, Dying For Sex