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Buckle up folks, the Golden Globe nominations for 2025 have sparked headlines not only for its glitz and glam, but also for breaking records with deserving inclusions and notable omissions. While many iconic and surprising films made its way to the list, one particular nomination snub sparked widespread discussion.
Well, the most talked-about Golden Globe 2025 snub turned out to be Danielle Deadwyler’sThe Piano Lesson.Apparently, while the movie previously left a strong impression on fans and critics following its release, its Golden Globe snub seemed like an unfair decision. So let’s take a deeper look into why Deadwyler’s movie should have won a nomination and why the film’s snub seems so infuriating.
1. Danielle Deadwyler’sThe Piano LessonLeft a Lasting Impact
Although a curious bunch of audiences might find Danielle Deadwyler a newcomer in the entertainment industry, in reality, the actress has been dominating the world of drama for over a decade. In 2022, she even won an NAACP Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role as Cuffee in the Netflix westernThe Harder They Fall.
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Therefore, replicating this very aura and screen presence, Deadwyler appeared in Malcolm Washington’s adaptation of August Wilson’s play,The Piano Lesson. Exploring themes of family, heritage, and the African-American experience, the actress appeared on the silver screen to portray the strong-willed and passionate character, Berniece.
In the movie, Deadwyler appeared as a mother trying to thrive after the death of her husband, while simultaneously arguing with her brother about what to do with a treasured family piano. Soon, Deadwyler’s performances left a lasting impact on audiences andVarietyreported how critics began rooting for her andThe Piano Lessonto earn deserving accolades.
Unfortunately, theGolden Globesseemingly overlooked her performance which shaped the movie beautifully. Therefore, given the raw emotions and nuance brought to the film by the star, Malcolm Washington’s movie getting snubbed at the Golden Globes seemed truly unjust.
2.The Piano Lessonis a Moving Piece On Generational Trauma
Moving on from Danielle Deadwyler’s performance to the storyline ofThe Piano Lesson, the movie highlighted the complexities of generational trauma (viaCinemaBlend). Given how the conversation about trauma being passed down from parent to child, or even generations down the line of one’s family tree has been in talks in recent years, Malcolm Washington’s movie dealt with the same aspect.
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Set in 1936, the film featured characters like Boy Willie and Berniece who have been closer to the generation of ancestors that were slaves. Therefore, while this realization added nuance to the storyline, it only got heightened by the stunning carvings on their heirloom piano that bore the history of their family and their stories of atrocities.
Thereafter, the debate about whether or not to sell the piano offered different perspectives on generational grief—one where people wish to honor the painful past, and the other where they plan on moving forward.
Therefore, considering how the film addressed the groundbreaking topic of generational trauma followed by the struggles and guilt associated with overcoming it without forgetting the past,The Piano Lessonwas expected to earn the attention of the Golden Globes. But sadly, the movie was snubbed from the list of 2025 nominations—and it couldn’t be more unfair.
3. Golden Globes’ Lack of Support for Films Centered on Black Stories
Meanwhile, considering howThe Piano Lessonhas been yet another project that put Black American history at its core, it was expected to be a groundbreaking piece appreciated by the Golden Globes body. Following the hot topic of generational trauma as the film simultaneously highlighted Black history it became a culturally rich and critically acclaimed project.
Danielle Deadwyler toldElle,
August’s work has been a part of my life since I was young. It has defined my understanding of Black culture, Black family, and Black community. It’s in my theater DNA.
But perhaps, given how the Golden Globes body has been repeatedly criticized for racism—lack of black Hollywood Foreign Press members in 2021 viaNBC Newsand 2023 racism scandal viaRolling Stone—it seemsThe Piano Lessonis allegedly suffering the same atrocity under the committee. In that case, the film’s Golden Globes snub couldn’t be more unfair.
4.The Piano LessonEarned Rave Reviews from Audiences and Critics
Further, given how Danielle Deadwyler’sThe Piano Lessonearned positive reviews following its release, it seems rather unlikely for the movie to skip the Golden Globe committee’s attention. From being praised over performance to production, the 2024 movie even got hailed for the emotions and chemistry brought to the screen by its stellar cast.
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As perRotten Tomatoes, audiences praised the film as a “well-acted and dynamic cinematic retelling of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play”. Meanwhile, people onIMDbhailed filmmaker Malcolm Washington (actor Denzel Washington’s son) for making a strong debut as director and co-writer.
But the reviews didn’t just end on RT and IMDb, netizens even took to social media to shower their praise onThe Piano Lesson.People called it a “solid movie” onReddit, whereas netizens onXpraised how the ancestral scenes were executed on-screen andhailedit as a “promising debut for Malcom Washington”.
A film that was worth the wait. To Malcolm Washington and everyone involved 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#ThePianoLesson#Netflixpic.twitter.com/2KSmLKmxl9
One of the best performances of the year. Easily top 5. If the Oscars snub Danielle Deadwyler again, I will actually become feral. One of our absolute best actresses working today and soars through this thing so wonderfully. She holds the whole thing together.#ThePianoLessonpic.twitter.com/cT8lCFrLtG
I think I have watched#ThePianoLessonlike 5 times and mhen oh mhen, this is a master piece. Directing, acting, lighting and dynamics of fire, wind, water and all just epic.I call it the Denzel Washington’s family affair.pic.twitter.com/luZkAmzZBV
Therefore, with an 88% RT rating and earning 6.2/10 on IMDb,The Piano Lessonwas supposed to earn significant attention from the Golden Globes committee. But it seems that the movie was perhaps deliberately snubbed from the nomination list.
5. Danielle Deadwyler Was Previously Snubbed at the Oscars 2023
Last but not least—the reason that makesThe Piano Lesson’s Golden Globes 2025 nomination snub so unjust and heartbreaking is Danielle Deadwyler’s previous Oscar omission for her 2022 movieTill. Considering how Deadwyler faced this ignorance from the Hollywood award committee twice within a span of 2 years, there seems to be alleged prejudice lurking in the entertainment industry.
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Previously addressing her Oscars 2023 snub forTilland even acknowledging Viola Davis’ snub forThe Woman King, Danielle Deadwyler had opened up to the film podcastKermode and Mayo’s Takeabout “unabashed misogyny towards Black women”. Backing up the attacks launched byTilldirector Chinonye Chukwu, Deadwyler noted;
We’re talking about people who perhaps chose not to see the film — we’re talking about misogynoir — like it comes in all kinds of ways, whether it’s direct or indirect. It impacts who we are.
Therefore, considering how Danielle Deadwyler had blamed her 2023 Oscar snub forTillon racism against Black women, it seems the industry repeated its pattern during the 2025 Golden Globes nominations. And while racism could be an alleged reason whyThe Piano Lessongot ignored, it seems like a baseless and heartbreaking excuse for the committee to overlook a work of art.
The Piano Lessonis currently available to watch on Netflix.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
