Grace Miller's 60 Second Review of Emilia Pérez

“Emilia Pérez” is a 2024 French musical drama directed by Jacques Audiard. The film tells the story of Juan "Manitas" Del Monte, a Mexican cartel leader who seeks to escape his criminal past by faking his death and transitioning into the woman he has always wanted to be, adopting the identity of Emilia Pérez. He enlists the help of Rita, an underappreciated lawyer, to facilitate this transformation. The narrative explores themes of identity, transformation, and self-discovery.

Main Cast:

• Karla Sofía Gascón as Emilia Pérez / Juan "Manitas" Del Monte: A feared cartel leader who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to start a new life.

• Zoe Saldaña as Rita Mora Castro: The lawyer tasked with orchestrating Emilia's disappearance and transformation.

• Selena Gomez as Jessica "Jessi" Del Monte: Emilia's wife, who embarks on her own journey of self-discovery following her husband's transformation.

• Édgar Ramírez as Gustavo Brun: Jessi's lover, adding complexity to the intertwined relationships.

• Adriana Paz as Epifanía Flores: Emilia's partner post-transition.

• Mark Ivanir as Dr. Wasserman: The surgeon responsible for Emilia's gender-affirming procedure.

The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2024, where it won the Jury Prize and the collective Best Actress award for its female cast. It was released in theaters on August 21, 2024, and is currently available for streaming on Netflix. "Emilia Pérez" has received critical acclaim, securing 13 nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Jacques Audiard, Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña.