Demi Moore: How Surprise Wins Are Shaking Up the Oscars Race

The 2024 Golden Globes delivered some unexpected results, leaving many in Hollywood rethinking the upcoming Oscar race. While the Golden Globes are often known for their glitzy, star-studded atmosphere, this year’s wins for Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres in major acting categories have created a buzz, particularly with Oscar voters.

Shock Wins for Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres

Demi Moore’s Victory in the Best Actress Category

Demi Moore’s win for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her performance in The Substance was a huge surprise. The body-horror satire, which delves into the cost of vanity and fame, featured Moore in a role as a television personality pushed aside by a younger replacement. The role is powerful, but Moore’s win was unexpected given that she was not a frontrunner for an Oscar nomination.

What makes Moore’s victory compelling for Oscar voters is the narrative of her career. She took a moment during her acceptance speech to highlight the fact that she had never won an acting award in her long career. She also reflected on the insecurity she felt early in her career when a producer once labeled her a “popcorn actress,” only to later find herself in the unique role of The Substance. Voters love a comeback story, and Moore’s performance, coupled with this inspiring personal narrative, places her firmly in the conversation for Oscar nominations.

Fernanda Torres’ Win for Best Actress in a Drama

Fernanda Torres’ win in the Best Actress (Drama) category was another major surprise. Her performance in the Brazilian political drama I’m Still Here received widespread praise. In the film, Torres plays a woman whose husband, a former politician, has become one of the victims of Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s. Her understated yet fierce performance struck a chord with voters, and her win was a testament to the power of a strong, nuanced performance.

Torres’ acceptance speech was touching as she dedicated her win to her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who had previously been nominated for an Oscar for her role in Central Station. Torres also subtly addressed the state of the world in her speech, emphasizing themes of survival and resilience in tough times, which resonated with both the Hollywood audience and international viewers.

The Golden Globes: Candy for the Oscars Race

Momentum and Perception

The Golden Globes are not always reliable indicators of future Oscar winners, mainly because the categories are divided into comedy and drama, giving more room for nominations. However, the wins for Moore and Torres have caused a ripple effect in the industry. At this stage, the Golden Globes serve more to build momentum and create buzz around these actresses as potential Oscar contenders.

Both Moore and Torres have now entered the Oscar race, and their surprise wins have placed them on the radar of voters. Their victories suggest that they could be serious competitors for a nomination, even though they were initially seen as long shots. With the Golden Globe wins, the perception of them as worthy contenders has shifted, making the race for Best Actress at the Oscars even more exciting.

How These Wins Impact the Oscars Race

Upsets in the Competitive Acting Categories

Moore’s win was particularly impactful because it came at the expense of other presumed Oscar frontrunners such as Mikey Madison (Anora), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked). Torres faced off against major stars like Nicole Kidman (Babygirl), Angelina Jolie (Maria), and Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door). Both Moore and Torres managed to secure wins in a highly competitive field, shaking up the list of potential Oscar nominees.

In contrast, Sebastian Stan’s win for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for A Different Man didn’t create the same level of disruption. His win was largely seen as a career validation moment, but it did not have the same impact on the Oscar race as the Best Actress categories did.

What This Means for Future Oscar Nominations

The Golden Globes often solidify the frontrunners for the Oscars, and this year’s event was no exception. Kieran Culkin’s win for Best Supporting Actor in A Real Pain has made him a likely contender for an Oscar. However, the wins by Moore and Torres have injected a sense of unpredictability into the race. They may have now become part of a group of actresses who will be carefully watched by Oscar voters.

The timing of these wins is also critical. With Oscar nomination voting closing on January 12, the Golden Globes have arrived just in time to influence voters’ decisions and shake up the final race.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for the Oscars Race

The 2024 Golden Globes have made the Oscar race even more exciting, with the unexpected wins of Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres adding new names to the list of potential nominees. As the Academy prepares to finalize its choices, these surprise victories remind us that the road to the Oscars can be full of twists and turns, with plenty more thrills to come.