Emilia Pérez is currently a film that everyone can’t stop talking about it. It was directed by Jacques Audiard and revolves around very potent topics, such as the power of the story itself, the impressive cast, and the award nominations. The movie got lots of publicity at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards which took place the day before February 23, 2025; during the event, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez were on stage and told the audience all about it.
The musical and crime drama film is the story of a Mexican mafia chieftain, who decides to have his/her gender transition. A lawyer, who is going to be played by Saldaña, is the hero in the adventure whose actions help the drug lord in the morphing process. Key to the storyline are issues of identity, transformation, and redemption which of course, the film also touches on.
Big Moments at the SAG Awards
Saldaña and Gomez spoke up for Emilia Pérez at the scene of the SAG Awards 2025 which sparked a positive reaction to the impact of the movie. Nonetheless, Karla Sofía Gascón, one of the main actresses, was not at the gala opening night because of the controversy.
A social media scandal, that event planning firm failed to handle properly, came about as a result of an unfortunate slip on the part of Karla Sofía Gascón, who was tagged the face of it. As a matter of fact, Gascón was in a position to defend herself since she had already confessed to her faults. However, the film’s profound and heartfelt uplifting storylines are widely spoken of all over the world, as well as great performances.
Emilia Pérez and Its Award Nominations
The movie has got 13 Academy Award nominations in the following categories:
- Best Picture
- Best Director – Jacques Audiard
- Best Actress – Karla Sofía Gascón (exhibiting history, being the first openly transgender woman in this category to be nominated)
Emilia Pérez won the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and the Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. This success story set the stage for the 97th Academy Awards.
Plot and Production Details
The movie tells a story that is different from others and has a strong opinion. A Mexican mafia boss who is on the run from the authorities decides to undergo a gender transformation in order to live as a true self. This is not the first time that a drug lord has had a surgical procedure done to change the gender. However, surprisingly, Joss who is a criminal lawyer and at the same time a woman (played by Saldaña) is the one who will voluntarily handle the operation. The movie also shows how this situation brings about unexpected challenges.
The main part of the movie was shot in France. The director, Jacques Audiard, had control over the studio facilities which were mainly used to adjust the lighting and music scenes to the liking of the audience, thereby creating a visually immersive and stunning experience.
Reactions from Critics and Fans
The original story and the spot-on performances have made Emilia Pérez a standout and have received rave reviews from viewers. Critics are referring to it as a movie of great quality, which is considered to be a trendsetter in movies, whereas viewers acknowledge its innermost emotions and profundity of ideas.
Furthermore, some circles have protested about the portrayal of transgender experience in the film. GLAAD and other organizations chose to disqualify the film from their yearly awards, arguing that it did not fully fit with their goal.
Public Debate Over Karla Sofía Gascón
She was strong in her portrayal of the character, but her use of inappropriate language on social media led to a huge controversy. She openly admitted that she had been very wrong and that she felt very sorry for it. Even Jacque Aurdiard, the famous director, appreciated her actions in regard to the movie but also clearly condemned her past views.
While some are of the view that she should be forgiven for her past mistakes, others disagree and opine that it will certainly damage the film’s reputation. This dispute remains as the Oscars 2025 date comes closer.
Where to Watch Emilia Pérez
Emilia Pérez is currently streaming on Netflix. It has been among the best movies on the platform ever since it went live.
Emilia Pérez is a thought-provoking and contentious film which has set tongues wagging worldwide. With multiple award nominations and a totally unprecedented story, it is undeniably authentic if not the most important film of 2025.
Loyal fans are anxiously awaiting the 97th Academy Awards to find out if the film will win the Best Picture Oscar. In the meantime, the movie is on everyone’s lips in Tinseltown and beyond.
