Netflix has identified a potential Oscar contender. On Monday, the streaming giant unveiled the official trailer for Emilia Pérez, a French crime musical that it aims to promote during award season.
In this bold film directed by Jacques Audiard, Karla Sofía Gascón portrays Emilia, a leader of a Mexican cartel. She recruits lawyer Rita (Zoe Saldaña) to help her stage her own death and undergo gender reassignment surgery. By executing this intricate plan, Emilia aspires to “finally live authentically as her true self,” according to Netflix.
Alongside Gascón and Saldaña, Emilia Pérez features performances from Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Mark Ivanir, and Édgar Ramírez, who plays Gustavo Brun.
This film, written and directed by Audiard—renowned for works like A Prophet, Rust and Bone, Dheepan, and The Sisters Brothers—is adapted from a chapter in the 2018 novel Écoute by Boris Razon. Initially conceived as an opera libretto, the screenplay evolved into this feature film.
Emilia Pérez premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the prestigious Palme d’Or. The Spanish-language musical earned three accolades: Jury Prize, Soundtrack Award, and Best Actress, which was shared by Gascón, Saldaña, Gomez, and Paz. Following its debut at Cannes, Netflix secured the film’s rights for distribution in North America and the U.K.
Netflix has high hopes for Emilia Pérez during the upcoming awards season, especially for the 2025 Oscars. France has submitted the film for Best International Feature Film, and Netflix is also aiming for nominations in several major categories, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Gascón, as well as Best Supporting Actress for Saldaña, Gomez, and Paz. Should Gascón receive a nomination, she could become the first openly trans actress to achieve this milestone.
Emilia Pérez is set to hit select theaters in the U.S. and Canada on November 1 and will be available for streaming on Netflix starting November 13.
