Netflix’s crime comedy musicalEmilia Pérezis by far the wildest potential Best Picture contender at the 2025 Oscars. The combined talents of Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez led thecast ofEmilia Pérez, which won the Jury Prize and theBest Actress Ensemble award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festivalafter its world premiere in May. The film is a loose adaptation of the 2018 novelÉcouteby Boris Razon, which features a kingpin wanting to get gender-reassignment surgery.
Directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone,The Sisters Brothers), the genre-blending film delivers innovative music numbers and choreography infused with a gut-wrenching story about unfulfilled desire and regret. It is France’s official entry for Best International Feature at the upcoming97th Academy Awards, which will be held on August 03, 2025. Months before the Oscars will take place, Emilia Pérez’s November 13 release on Netflix hasgenerated awards season buzz as well as controversy and backlash.
Emilia Pérezis now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Emilia Pérez Is An Audacious Contender For Best Picture
Emilia Pérezfollows Saldaña’s Rita, a defense lawyer in Mexico City looking to make a difference, who encounters an unusual but lucrative opportunity fromcartel kingpin Manitas Del Monte as he aims to fulfill his lifetime dream of transitioning to a woman.Emilia Pérez’ssoundtrackis the essential highlight of the film as well as the heart and soul of the inspirational yet tragic narrative. AlthoughEmilia Péreztakes place in several locations, the film was shot mostly in studios in Paris, France.
Emilia Pérezhas generated early Academy Award buzz for Gascón’s titular character, who would become the first trans actress to ever be nominated for an Oscar. Saldaña is also an early favorite for Best Supporting Actress and Selena Gomez’s original song Mi Camino is also a top condenser for Best Original Song. There is also a strong possibility that it could be nominated and win Best International Feature.
Could Emilia Pérez Actually Win Oscars? What It’s Up Against
According toVariety,Emila Pérezcurrently ranks in the top 3 films most likely to be nominated for Best Picture afterAnoraandConclave, placing it in an exceptional position. Other nominee contenders includeThe Brutalist,Gladiator II,Wicked,Dune: Part Two,Blitz,The Room Next Door, andA Real Pain. Some longshot Best Picture contenders includeA Complete Unknown,Sing Sing,September 5,Nosferatu,Inside Out 2,The Piano Lesson, andChallengers. At this point, it would be shocking ifEmilia Pérezwas not nominated for at least a few Oscars, most likely for Saldaña’s supporting role and Gomez’s original song.
Emilia Perez
Cast
Emilia Perez is a drama film that follows the life of Emilia Perez, a determined and ambitious individual striving to make a name for herself in a competitive environment. The story explores her journey as she navigates the challenges and obstacles that come her way, all while uncovering the complexities of her own identity.
