With multiple awards already under its belt and strong Oscar prospects, “Emilia Perez” has captivated international audiences. But its success has also fueled debates over the film’s portrayal of the communities it aims to represent.
“Emilia Pérez” is a musical about Juan “Manitas” Del Monte, a notorious Mexican cartel leader who fakes his own death to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Afterward, he begins a new life as Emilia Perez and sets out to seek justice for victims of Mexico’s drug trade.
The plotline has attracted controversy. Critics argue that presenting drug war violence and transgender identity within a crime comedy framework dilutes the gravity of both issues.
Backlash on social media
In a viral post on “X,” one user shared a graphic that reads, “Mexico hates Emilia Pérez/‘Racist Euro Centrist Mockery’/Almost 500K dead and France decides to do a musical.” Speaking to the BBC, the poster said he framed the criticism like a Hollywood-style promotion to draw attention to what he considers the film’s problematic elements.
This is a message to @TheAcademy. pic.twitter.com/lbRHNsJ9a5
— Héctor Guillén (@hectorcarlosg) January 6, 2025
GLAAD weighs in
GLAAD, which advocates for LGBTQ+ representation, raised concerns in an article last November. The organization called “Emilia Pérez” a “step backward for trans representation.” They claim it relies on harmful stereotypes instead of meaningful depiction.
Mexico’s drug war backdrop also shapes the film’s narrative. Since 2006, when then-President Felipe Calderon launched a military offensive against cartels, the country has seen an estimated 100,000 disappearances and even more deaths. Critics question whether “Emilia Pérez” approaches this topic with enough sensitivity.
Director’s idealism
Director Jacques Audiard defended his creative decisions in a recent interview with Variety. “I liked the fact that the story of the disappeared was told through the eyes of a trans woman… It’s unrealistic, I know, but I’m an idealist,” he said.
Casting has also sparked discussion. A casting director told The Contending that certain character arcs were rewritten because the actors hired were not Mexican. In one interview, critics highlighted a claim that producers could not find suitable talent in Mexico and chose Selena Gomez for a leading role instead.
Some say Gomez isn’t fluent in Spanish, which they feel undermines authenticity. This criticism reflects a broader concern that “Emilia Pérez” does not fully respect the culture it portrays.
Award buzz continues
Despite the controversy, “Emilia Pérez” has already earned four Golden Globe Awards and five European Film Awards. It remains a major contender for this year’s Oscars, though it was not nominated for GLAAD Awards in today’s announcement.
