Emilia Perez: Netflix’s Bold New Oscar Contender Shines with Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez

The highly anticipated trailer for Emilia Perez, a Cannes-winning musical drama directed by Jacques Audiard, has been released on Netflix, positioning the film as a strong contender for this fall’s Oscar race. With a star-studded cast that includes Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofia Gascon, Emilia Perez is set to be one of the most talked-about films of the season.

Premiering at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Emilia Perez was a standout, winning the prestigious jury prize and earning the best actress award for Saldana, Gomez, Gascon, and their co-star Adriana Paz. The film has been hailed for its unique narrative and powerful performances.

According to the official synopsis from Netflix, Emilia Perez tells the story of four women in Mexico, each on their own journey to find happiness. The central character, Emilia, a feared cartel leader played by Gascon, enlists the help of Rita (Saldana), a lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to fake her own death. This drastic measure allows Emilia to live authentically as her true self and undergo gender reassignment surgery.

The film also features Edgar Ramirez in a supporting role, adding depth to Audiard’s distinct vision. In his review, Variety critic Peter Debruge described Emilia Perez as an “exhilarating Spanish-language (half-sung) portrait of a former cartel boss’s life-changing transformation.” He praised the film’s bold approach, noting that it challenges multiple stereotypes while delivering a powerful and unfiltered narrative.

Following its successful premiere at Cannes, Netflix acquired Emilia Perez and has scheduled a limited theatrical release on November 1, before the film becomes available for streaming on Netflix starting November 13.