Chloe Zhao Shocks Hollywood With Golden Globe Win for Shakespeare DramaHamnet
Good evening and we begin tonight in Beverly Hills, where the Golden Globes delivered one of their biggest surprises of the night and it belonged to filmmaker Chloé Zhao.
Zhao, the Oscar-winning director known for Nomadland and Eternals, claimed the Golden Globe for best drama film with her latest project, Hamnet, a quiet, emotional Shakespeare-inspired drama that few expected to beat bigger, louder contenders. But by the end of the night, Hamnet stood tall and so did Zhao.
Hamnet is not a traditional Shakespeare story. It focuses on grief, love and loss inside the life of William Shakespeare and his family, particularly the death of his young son. It’s restrained, intimate and deeply human. And that tone is very much Zhao’s signature. She’s a filmmaker who prefers silence over spectacle and emotional truth over dramatic excess.
The win is significant because it shows that awards voters are still willing to reward subtle storytelling, even in an era dominated by franchises and box office pressure. Hamnet was up against Ryan Coogler’s horror hit Sinners, a film many assumed would take the prize. Instead, Zhao’s film quietly upset expectations.
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Adding weight to the moment, producer Steven Spielberg publicly credited Zhao as the only filmmaker who could have brought this story to life. That kind of praise, from one of the most powerful figures in cinema, carries serious influence. It reinforces Zhao’s place not just as a successful director, but as a trusted artistic voice in modern filmmaking.
The film also picked up a major acting win, with Jessie Buckley taking home best lead actress in a drama. That victory further cemented Hamnet as a critical darling, not just a director’s achievement but a full creative success.
For Zhao, this moment marks an important chapter in her career. After moving from indie cinema to massive studio projects and facing mixed reactions, this win feels like a return to her roots. It’s a reminder of what she does best, telling deeply personal stories that linger long after the screen goes dark.
The broader impact is just as important. Zhao’s success sends a message to filmmakers working outside traditional Hollywood formulas. There is still room for quiet films. There is still space for risk. And there is still an audience and recognition, for stories that trust viewers to slow down and feel.
As awards season continues toward the Oscars, Hamnet now carries serious momentum. Whether it repeats this success or not, tonight has already confirmed one thing. Chloé Zhao remains one of the most distinctive and respected storytellers in global cinema.
That’s the story from the Golden Globes tonight. We’ll be watching closely to see where this journey leads next.
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