In what Netflix describes as “an audacious fever dream that defies genres and expectations”, Emilia Pérez is a crime-musical-opera inspired film about a Mexican lawyer, portrayed by Zoe Saldaña, who assists a cartel leader, played by Karla Sofía Gascón, who is transitioning into Emilia. The film includes a blend of music, drama, and themes of transformation. However, reception of the film has been mixed, drawing in a combination of critical acclaim and public controversy.
It was first released at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, winning both the Jury Prize and a historic best actress prize for Karla Sofía Gascon, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz, before premiering in theaters early November. Regardless of the film’s several wins, it faced criticism for how the film tackles its central themes.
In November, GLAAD compiled commentary from several of those critics, stating that the film “recycles the trans stereotypes, tropes, and clichés of the not-so-distant past” and represented a “step backward for trans representation.” Others have been less critical of the film, like Julie River, who identifies as trans and wrote in an article for Out Front Magazine, “I don’t think the film depicts trans women as liars. Rather, I think the film depicts Emilia, in particular, as a liar. I don’t think we have to extrapolate that to represent the entire trans community.”
The film has also been criticized for presenting an “artificial” vision of Mexico, with some viewing it as a collection of stereotypes rather than a genuine representation. Comments on the Spanish language being associated with “poor and migrant” communities- made by Jacques Audiar, the writer and director of Emilia Pérez- have further fueled the controversy. In February, he addressed those comments in an interview with Deadline, explaining he’s “often made films in cultures that were not those of [his] native language” and that he “happen[s] to enormously love the Spanish language.”
The film’s lead has also been a hot subject. Last January, there were screenshots posted on X by journalist Sarah Hagi from Karla Sofía Gascón that included Islamophobic, racist and otherwise offensive comments on a variety of topics, including the 2020 death of George Floyd and the Oscars themselves. Gascón has since issued an apology and deleted her X account. “As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain,” Gascón said. “All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
Despite public opinion, the film has won in several major awards shows. Emilia Pérez garnered three Critics Choice Awards, two BAFTAs and one SAG Award. It was also received 10 nominations at the Golden Globes and took home four of them. The film gained 13 nominations at the 2025 Oscars, only one behind the record for most nominations for a single film and took home two awards: Best Supporting Actress, awarded to Zoe Saldaña, and Best Original Song, awarded to the track “El Mal.” However, it lost the Oscar for Best International Feature to the Brazilian film “I’m Still Here,” directed by Walter Salles.
Following these events, Emilia Pérez‘s controversy has taken center stage. Its mixed reception in the film industry and among audiences has put the focus on the portrayal of marginalized communities and the impact of creative choices on both the people they represent and the audiences they aim to reach. Regardless of whether it was a hit or miss, the film undeniably contributes to the conversation of how stories are told and who gets to tell them.
