US singer and actress Selena Gomez made a stunning appearance at the London Film Festival for the UK premiere of her Oscar-buzzed film Emilia Pérez. The Spanish-language musical, which was a breakout hit at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, earned Gomez and three co-stars, Zoe Saldaña, Adriana Paz, and Karla Sofía Gascón, joint Best Actress awards at Cannes.
Emilia Pérez tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader, played by Gascón, who enlists the help of a high-powered lawyer, Rita (Saldaña), to fake his death. But the reason behind his desire to disappear isn’t for the usual cartel reasons—instead, he wants to transition and live a new life as a woman. The film then follows the lives of four women, including the newly transitioned Emilia Pérez, as they each chase their own versions of happiness in contemporary Mexico. Gascón, an Argentinian trans actress, plays the title role and is already being considered a strong contender for Best Actress in the upcoming awards season.
Gomez takes on the role of the drug lord’s wife, who remains unaware of her husband’s transition, while Paz portrays Emilia’s new romantic interest. Director Jacques Audiard, inspired by a chapter in Boris Razon’s novel Écoute, was captivated by the idea of identity transformation and gender change. He noted that his focus wasn’t on a typical change of identity to evade cartel rivals but on the deeper transformation for personal fulfillment. This unique perspective defines the tone of the film.
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Gascón, who campaigned to play both the male and female versions of her character, recalled the challenges of preparing for the dual role, which required effects like a fake beard for the pre-transition scenes. Gascón’s insistence on playing the character’s full arc gave the film its unique structure. Her remarkable portrayal has already drawn high praise from critics, with The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney calling her performance “magnificent.”
The film’s stars, including Gomez, Saldaña, and Paz, walked the red carpet at the Royal Festival Hall in London for the film’s UK premiere, continuing to build momentum ahead of the awards season. Critics have praised the film for its bold storytelling, unique premise, and its diverse cast. Entertainment Weekly described it as a “wild, gritty, glitter-soaked ride,” with Gomez earning particular praise for shedding her Disney image and delivering a heart-wrenching portrayal of a wife caught in emotional turmoil.
Emilia Pérez has garnered generally positive reviews, with the performances of its cast standing out as key highlights. The Telegraph’s Tim Robey called the film “amazingly confident,” and Inverse’s Hoai-Tran Bui labeled it “an emotionally fulfilling triumph.” However, not all feedback has been entirely positive. Critics like Slant’s Kyle Turner pointed out the film’s “saccharine sentimentality” and occasionally jarring tonal shifts, a result of its musical roots.
French director Jacques Audiard praised Gascón’s dedication to the role, stating that the film would not have been the same without her. Gascón herself has described the role as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, embracing both the physical and emotional challenges of portraying such a complex character.
The film, which will soon be available on Netflix, has been selected as France’s entry for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. While the film is still gathering momentum, critics are already eyeing Emilia Pérez as a major player in the upcoming awards season, with Gascón and Gomez standing out as top contenders. The film’s innovative storyline, strong performances, and fresh take on gender identity and transformation make it one of the year’s most anticipated releases.
Gomez, best known for her role in Only Murders in the Building, is also an accomplished singer with hits like “Back To You” and “Wolves”. Co-star Zoe Saldaña has long been a box-office favorite, known for her roles in Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy. Meanwhile, Mexican actress Adriana Paz has also had a successful career with performances in films like Not Forgotten and La Caridad.
As Emilia Pérez continues its festival tour, it’s clear that this genre-bending musical will leave a lasting impact. Whether through its groundbreaking narrative or the powerful performances of its cast, the film is positioned to make waves in the awards circuit and beyond.
