‘Emilia Pérez’ Trailer Drops: Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña-Led Film Coming to Netflix This Year

The Spanish musical ‘Emilia Pérez’, which created a buzz at Cannes Film Festival after winning the jury prize and best actress award, is set for a limited theatrical release before hitting Netflix in the US, UK, and Canada. Directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, the film follows the journey of four women in Mexico, each seeking their own path to happiness. 

The story centres on Emilia, a feared cartel leader who enlists Rita, an unappreciated lawyer played by Zoe Saldaña, to help her fake her death so she can live as her true self.

Image Courtesy: YouTube

The film, which also stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez, has been positioned as one of Netflix’s strongest Oscar contenders this year. After its success at Cannes, ‘Emilia Pérez’ has garnered significant attention as a potential awards season frontrunner for the streaming giant. 

Actress Karla Sofía Gascón describes the film as a blend of drama, musical, action, and comedy, seamlessly integrating these elements without overshadowing the story’s essence.

‘Emilia Pérez’ also delves into the transformation of Emilia’s wife Jesse, portrayed by Gomez. Gomez shared with Netflix’s publication Tudum that her character, Jessi, starts off content with her life in Mexico, rooted in family, only to undergo significant changes as the story progresses. The film received a standing ovation at Cannes, with reports suggesting the applause lasted between nine to eleven minutes.

Netflix acquired the US and UK rights to ‘Emilia Pérez’ in a competitive deal worth $8 million, surpassing several other studios. The film has been praised by critics for its storytelling, with Variety’s Chief Film Critic, Peter Debruge, comparing it to “a rose blooming amid a minefield,” highlighting its unique narrative amidst challenging themes.

-Sushmita Sarkar