The Rise and Fall of "Emilia Perez" in the 2025 Awards Season
At the beginning of the 2025 awards season, Emilia Perez seemed poised to emerge as one of the year’s most celebrated films. With a string of accolades at the Golden Globes, including Best Comedy or Musical Film, and a record-breaking 13 Oscar nominations, the Spanish-language musical appeared unstoppable. It not only led the Oscar race but also made history as the most nominated non-English language film in the awards’ history. Similarly, at the BAFTAs, it was shortlisted for 11 prizes, narrowly trailing the papal thriller Conclave, which secured 12 nominations. Star Karla Sofia Gascon further cemented the film’s groundbreaking status by becoming the first trans woman to receive Best Actress nominations at both ceremonies. Set in Mexico but primarily filmed in France, Emilia Perez tells the story of a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirmation surgery. Its success began at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, where it won the Jury Prize, setting the stage for its awards season triumph.
However, as Emilia Perez’s profile rose, so did the scrutiny. While the film’s nominations seemed to reflect the progressive attitudes of awards voters, critics and activists began to question its representation and authenticity. US LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD criticized the film as a "step backward for trans representation," highlighting reviews from transgender critics who called the portrayals inauthentic and offensive. The film was also accused of stereotyping Mexico and underrepresenting Mexican talent in its cast and crew. Despite its Mexican setting, the main stars—Gascon (Spanish), Zoe Saldana (Dominican and Puerto Rican descent), and Selena Gomez (American with Mexican heritage)—spark debate about the lack of prominent Mexican voices. Mexican screenwriter Héctor Guillén even mocked the film on social media, calling it a "racist Eurocentric mockery" and criticizing its musical portrayal of a nation grappling with drug-related violence.
The film’s depiction of Mexico’s narco crisis has been particularly contentious. Since 2006, the country has endured a brutal drug war that has claimed over 400,000 lives and left more than 100,000 missing, according to government data. Critics argue that Emilia Perez trivializes this tragedy by framing it as an operatic musical, rather than addressing its root causes. While narco stories have long been a staple of Latin American cinema, many accuse the film of exploiting the genre for its spectacle. General audiences seem to agree, as the film holds a lackluster 5.5/10 rating on IMDb, significantly lower than its Oscar competitors. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics give it 72%, but audiences score it a dismal 17%, highlighting a stark divide between critical acclaim and public reception.
Despite the backlash, Emilia Perez has its defenders. Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro praised the film as "so beautiful to see a movie that is cinema," hailing director Jacques Audiard as "one of the most amazing filmmakers alive." Entertainment outlets like Deadline and Variety have also lauded Gascon’s electrifying performance, with some critics acknowledging the film’s ambition and artistic vision. Adriana Paz, one of the film’s few Mexican cast members, defended it against accusations of offending Mexico, stating, "I didn’t feel that way." Film critic Carlos Aguilar, originally from Mexico City, gave the film three out of four stars, though he noted that Mexican audiences are weary of American perspectives exploiting narco narratives without addressing their deeper causes. He argues that questioning the film’s intent is valid, but dismissing Audiard for telling a story outside his cultural familiarity is overly simplistic.
The controversy deepened when offensive tweets from Gascon resurfaced. Posted between 2016 and 2020, the tweets mocked Muslims in Spain, suggested Islam should be banned, and dismissed George Floyd as a "drug addict" just weeks after his murder in 2020. The backlash was swift, with writer Sarah Hagi calling out the hypocrisy of a film campaigning on progressive values while its star had expressed such hateful views. Gascon apologized, stating, "As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain." She emphasized her lifelong fight for a better world and expressed hope for redemption. However, the damage appeared irreversible. While co-star Zoe Saldana urged people to keep an open mind, the film’s momentum for major awards, such as Best Picture or Best Director, seemed to fade.
Audiard himself addressed the criticism in a recent interview, calling Gascon’s tweets "inexcusable" and expressing sadness that the controversy had overshadowed the film. He defended Emilia Perez as an opera, not a realistic critique of Mexico, and argued that artistic license allows for creative flourishes, such as singing and dancing in night markets. He also acknowledged regret over not filming in Mexico, citing the country’s limited funding for the project compared to France’s support. Despite these efforts, Emilia Perez now heads into the BAFTAs and Oscars embroiled in scandal. While some films, like Green Book in 2019, have weathered similar storms to win major awards, others have seen their chances derailed. As the awards season unfolds, one question remains: how forgiving will voters be of Emilia Perez? Only time—and the ballots—will tell.
