At the 2026 Golden Globes held recently, Julia Roberts gave an unanticipated shoutout to Eva Victor for her role in the indie film Sorry, Baby, sparking renewed interest in the film and its awards potential. This moment unfolded as Roberts presented the Best Picture – Musical or Comedy category and took a few seconds to praise her fellow nominee, indirectly fueling industry buzz for the movie and its star.
Roberts’ endorsement, captured live on national television, created a notable ripple, as the film had largely flown under the radar compared to frontrunners like Hamnet and One Battle After Another. The attention came despite Victor not winning Best Actress, which went as expected to Jessie Buckley for Hamnet. Nonetheless, Roberts’ candid remark appeared to carry considerable weight in promoting the film within awards season conversations.
Golden Globes Favor Established Titles Despite ‘Sorry Baby’s’ Rising Profile
The Golden Globes maintain a tradition of spotlighting films perceived as precursors to the Oscars, frequently favoring widely recognized titles in their nominations and wins. This year, films such as Hamnet, One Battle After Another, and Marty Supreme dominated key categories amid an expansive field of nominees. These selections mirrored expectations regarding Oscar trajectories, though their actual impact on future nominations remains debatable.
While the Globes tend to divide categories into drama and musical or comedy, this often feels arbitrary, allowing the inclusion of bonus nominees and amplifying the presence of bigger names. The ceremony’s strategy aims to attract high-profile attendees and project greater influence over predicting awards outcomes, despite variable correlations with Oscar results.
Eva Victor’s Multifaceted Role in ‘Sorry Baby’ Garners Industry Respect
Eva Victor, who identifies as nonbinary and uses she/her and they/them pronouns, not only starred in Sorry, Baby but also wrote and directed the film. The story follows Agnes, a young college professor navigating life after surviving sexual assault, portrayed with both gravity and subtle humor by Victor. Released by A24 on a limited number of screens last summer, the film managed a moderate box office showing amid competition from multiple high-profile titles.
Victor’s performance blends comedic timing and dramatic depth, showcasing a resilient character who employs humor and deadpan delivery as coping mechanisms. Scenes such as Agnes hiding a cat in a grocery store while insisting to a skeptical cashier that the animal isn’t visible exemplify this tonal interplay. Victor’s ability to inhabit Agnes through flashbacks and present-day moments adds nuanced layers to the portrayal, highlighting resilience without sacrificing authenticity.
Challenges of Categorizing ‘Sorry Baby’ in Awards Genres
The film’s hybrid tone complicated its placement during the Golden Globes nominations, falling under the drama category despite strong comedic elements. In contrast, Rose Byrne’s work in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, which also merges dark humor and serious themes, competed in comedy. This discrepancy reflects the Globe’s sometimes inconsistent approach to genre classification, influenced by the voting body’s preference for drawing sharp lines between categories.
This divide affects how performances like Victor’s are perceived by voters, as their humor leans on understated and poignant delivery rather than overt comedy, creating interpretive challenges. The ambiguity around Sorry, Baby’s tone may have limited its exposure within genre-specific fan bases but ultimately underscores its rich, layered storytelling approach.
Compelling Scenes Illustrate Agnes’ Complex Journey
One notable scene captures Agnes’s jury duty summons, where she reluctantly explains her inability to serve without revealing details of her trauma. Her response, delivered with a mixture of dry wit and poignant restraint, shows the character’s careful navigation between openness and self-preservation.
“Oh, I did not know we were going to be reading those aloud, so…”
– Agnes, expressing discomfort during jury questionnaire reading, voiced by Eva Victor
Another powerful moment occurs during a post-rape medical examination, where Agnes responds pointedly to an insensitive doctor’s advice about not bathing prior to the exam:
“I will definitely keep that in mind for the next time.”
– Agnes, illustrating stoic sarcasm in a painful situation
Furthermore, Agnes’s explanation for not reporting her assailant to authorities combines a grim clarity with dark humor:
“I want him to stop being someone who does that. And if he went to jail, he’d just be someone who does that who’s now in jail.”
– Agnes, reflecting on justice and its limits
These moments encapsulate the film’s balance of tragedy and humor, conveying a survivor’s complex emotional landscape.
Victor’s Emerging Career Confronts Awards Season Competition
Despite her compelling work in Sorry, Baby, Eva Victor faces stiff competition for the Best Actress Oscar nomination. Jessie Buckley and Rose Byrne currently hold favored positions, with Emma Stone also in the mix for Bugonia. Other contenders include Kate Hudson, Renata Reinsve, Amanda Seyfried, and Chase Infini, who recently gained attention for One Battle After Another.
Victor’s relatively limited filmography and the film’s modest release affect her visibility compared to more established actors. Yet the supportive nod from Roberts, whether it shifts awards conversation or not, highlights the respect Victor has earned within the industry community.
Industry Reaction and the Broader Awards Season Context
The Golden Globes ceremony itself was marked by varied moments, including Wanda Sykes sharply criticizing hosts Ricky Gervais and Bill Maher, and other notable wins such as Hamnet taking Best Picture Drama and The Pitt securing Best TV Drama. These outcomes reinforced existing narratives about awards frontrunners.
Julia Roberts’ decision to publicly spotlight Sorry, Baby amidst this competitive, and sometimes contentious, landscape highlights how small gestures can influence industry perception and potentially broaden attention for lesser-known films during awards season.
‘Sorry Baby’ Streaming and Availability
The film is currently available to watch on HBO Max, offering audiences an opportunity to engage with its unique blend of dark humor and serious subject matter. With Roberts urging viewers to see it, Sorry, Baby may gain traction beyond its initial limited theatrical run.
Looking Ahead: How ‘Sorry Baby’ Could Influence Awards Conversations
As awards season continues, Sorry, Baby stands out as a noteworthy, albeit underdog, contender, bolstered by Julia Roberts’ unexpected public endorsement. While it remains to be seen if this shoutout will translate into formal accolades, the moment underscores the film’s emotional resonance and artistic merit.
For Eva Victor, this visibility can open doors within an industry often challenging for new voices to break through. Ultimately, Roberts’ words may inspire more viewers and voters alike to reconsider the qualities that define successful performances and the stories deserving of wider recognition.
