Emilia Pérez is the Oscars dark horse this year! The movie just aired on Netflix on Wednesday. Karla Sofía Gascón’s performance as Emilia, a former cartel boss who transitions to live as her true self, is the talk of awards season. Critics are already calling her a major contender for Best Actress, and if she wins, it could be history-making. Gascón brings Emilia’s journey to life in a way that’s powerful, raw, and unforgettable.
The plot kicks off with Emilia, known as the feared “Manitas Del Monte,” hiring Rita (Zoe Saldaña), a tough-as-nails lawyer, to help her fake her death and escape her life as a cartel leader. The twist? Emilia wants to disappear, have gender-affirming surgery, and come back as the woman she’s always known she is. Rita helps her navigate the process, all while juggling the growing tension with Emilia’s clueless wife, Jessi (Selena Gomez), who’s kept in the dark about the entire plan.
The movie’s unique musical style also sets it apart. Instead of bursting into random songs, the music blends with the scenes—like street sounds and city noise adding to the drama. This originality could land Emilia Pérez more Oscar nods, maybe even Best Picture or Best Score.
With Saldaña’s fierce lawyer and Gomez’s intense role as the mob wife, the cast has real Oscar potential too. All eyes are on Emilia Pérez this year, and it might just be the surprise winner everyone talks about.
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