Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unique Mexico-set musical melodrama with violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Emilia Pérez
What's the Story?
In EMILIA PÉREZ, Rita Moro Castro (Zoe Saldaña) is a gifted but undervalued lawyer in Mexico City. One day she is approached by a man to undertake a project for him for a huge sum of money. It turns out the man is Manitas del Monte (Karla Sofía Gascón), a violent and well-known drug lord. Rita decides to accept the job, which entails researching and finding a place for Manitas to undergo gender reassignment surgeries to transition. Four years later, Rita meets Manitas again as a woman, now Emilia Pérez (also Gascón), at a dinner in London, and Emilia convinces her to bring Manitas' "widow," Jessi (Selena Gomez), and their children back to Mexico. There, Emilia poses as Manitas' cousin. She then convinces Rita to stay in Mexico and help her launch a nonprofit dedicated to reuniting families with their murdered or disappeared loved ones. But Jessi is getting restless, and Rita knows she won't be able to protect Emilia forever.
Is It Any Good?
Gripping and unexpected, this film blends brutality and tenderness into a two hour-plus musical saga that's impossible to turn away from. Emilia Pérez tackles Mexican corruption and narco-related violence in a wholly unique package. The goriest of images give way to gentle ballads and lullabies. Mexico's mass graves of tens of thousands of murdered or disappeared citizens contrast with the delicate tale of Emilia's gender dysphoria and transformation (Gascón, stunning in dual roles as the dangerous Manitas and the likable Emilia). That a film can evoke sympathy in its viewers for a violent mafioso is a testament to its power of persuasion, an intention underscored in closing scenes involving a saint-like statue.
While Gomez may give the most memorable musical performances, this film's heart belongs to Saldaña, whose steely Rita journeys alongside Emilia, turning from hostage to friend. Saldaña's singing is forgettable, but her ability to convey complex emotions in a single look—and her dance moves—are not. Many of the set pieces contain striking choreography and haunting tunes, with lyrics sometimes whispered or spoken. French director Audiard's first foray in Spanish, the melodrama could be reminiscent of the work of Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what genre you would call Emilia Pérez. Why? Is this film like any others you've seen? Which, and how so?
How does the film try to elicit compassion for the character of Emilia, despite Manitas' horrific past actions? Was this successful?
Which musical number stands out to you as most memorable? Why?
What did you think of the actions of Rita, Emilia, and Jessi? Are any of them entirely "good" or "bad" characters? Discuss.
What commentary does this film make about Mexican society? Where could you go for more information?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 13, 2024
- Cast : Zoe Saldana , Karla Sofía Gascón , Selena Gomez
- Director : Jacques Audiard
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Transgender Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 132 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Awards : Academy Award - Best Picture Nominee , Academy Award - Other Category Winner , Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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