The 2025 Golden Globe nominees for Best Motion Picture – Drama showcase a diverse array of films, each offering unique narratives and exceptional cinematic experiences. Here’s an in-depth look at each nominee
1. The Brutalist
Boundless imagination, renunciation, and activity of the spirit, The Brutalist traces the adventure of a Hungarian builder, László Toth, who moves to the United States in the wake of World War II. This movie, which captures the eyes by its aesthetics, deals with the problem of surviving in a new country and the inability to fully adapt to the new surroundings due to the fact that you don’t belong there anymore. The story revolves around the conflict between artistic honesty and the pursuit of profit as Toth makes an attempt to make the world of the postwar more innovative in spite of the people’s resistance to change. The movie stands out for the striking photography that shows both the grim reality and touching beauty of Brutalist buildings as a symbol of perseverance. A gripping, emotion-drenched performance by the film’s main actor is sure to make your heart sing and your mind think.
2. A Complete Unknown
This biographical drama dealing with deep personal matters gives the audience a glimpse at a part of Bob Dylan’s complicated life. It follows his progress from a mere folk singer in Minnesota to a global cultural icon. The movie presents Dylan’s high time in parallel with his struggling with his inner demons. It is a very realistic portrayal of a Bob Dylan who is both artist and human. In this way, the film reveals one of the enigma of tortured genius but also the considerable talent of the other characters that will bring the myth to life. Giving the men in Dylan’s life an equal amount of screen time puts the focus on the symbolism of each partner and how they affect the main character’s road. This is where the film shows us how he struggled to catch his big break, found himself, and created music with a voice that had never been heard. The actors, especially the one who plays Dylan, deserve the highest marks. They have been praised for their ability to join the legend without just imitating him. The music in the movie is terrific. It makes the tribute even more heartfelt, and the movie becomes a memorable homage to music history’s most important figure.
3. Conclave
Basing its storyline on the administrative halls in the Vatican, Conclave powerfully introduces us to a masterfully thrilling drama about authority, belief, and morality. The plot is initiated when the College of Cardinals convenes to choose the next pope due to the passing of the previous pope. The Vatican, an elaborate ceremonial procedures place, is the setting of the unfolding drama, personal plans and latent truths, which make it turn the sacred process into a battleground of political maneuvering, coming to the surface. The movie is sterling in the sense of suspending, which keeps viewers in a world where only whispered aid and undercover betrayal exist. With the powerhouse performances of the ensemble cast, Conclave becomes a gripping insight into the human flaws that persist even in the holy of holiest places.
4. Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up to the epic Dune continues the story of Paul Atreides as he rises to fulfill his destiny on the desert planet of Arrakis. This installment delves deeper into the intricate political machinations and ecological struggles that define Herbert’s sci-fi classic. Paul’s emergence as a messianic leader, his Fremen connection, and his mission for revenge against the Harkonnens unfold in breathtaking visual splendor. The film is a technical tour de force: the desert landscapes are stunningly photographed, and the sound design and Hans Zimmer’s score have made it truly soar. A new balanced performance on the screen, with an impressive ensemble of actors, each of whom exploits the varied dimensions of the characters tangled in the web of trust, ambition, and life. Consequently, Dune: Part Two is already a summit of a kind; a real film of the world. In other words, the saga has skyrocketed to a new level and is now widely recognized as an epic science fiction movie for the modern era.
4. Nickel Boys
Nickel Boys, inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, is a stern and soulful examination of the omnipresence of racial oppression and the ability to overcome. In the time of Jim Crow, the story is focused on the two boys – Elwood and Turner – who are sent to Nickel Academy, a reform school that is dominated by the culture of abuse and corruption. Focusing on the idealistic goals of Elwood, who drew inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Turner’s survival-oriented perspective, the film gives the viewers the impression of two sides of the coin. Directed with care and rush, Nickel Boys confronts the issue of institutionalized racism and tells the story of the valiant nature of their heroes. The young leads detour dramatic performances, turning Nickel Boys into a hard, yet exceptionally memorable movie.
5. September 5
Set against the backdrop of the tragic events of September 5, 1972, at the Munich Olympics, this film weaves together personal and historical narratives to explore themes of loss, resilience, and human connection. The film centers on a group of individuals whose lives intersect in the wake of the attack, from an athlete struggling with survivor’s guilt to a journalist seeking the truth behind the tragedy. Through its meticulous storytelling and haunting visuals, September 5 transcends its historical premise, offering a profound meditation on the aftermath of violence and the strength of the human spirit. The film’s ensemble cast delivers deeply moving performances, grounding the narrative in raw emotion.
The diversity and depth of the current film industry are presented in each of these films, all of which address different compelling stories in completely different and novel ways. Whether it’s through historical retellings, character studies, or visionary adaptations; these nominees will undoubtedly make both moviegoers and the reviewers think for a long time over their work.
