A blistering new Netflix starring and Selena Gomez place the American actors at the center of a Spanish-language musical crime comedy as an “audacious fever dream.” “Emilia Pérez,” which recently took special awards at the Cannes Film Festival, introduces the concept of “halves” set against a monotone backdrop. Character portraits are revealed in their half-assuming identity before the name of the film emerges — gunfire and bloodshed follow.
Film critics have praised the -directed thriller, which received an long standing ovation at Cannes. The film took home a jury prize and a shared best actress award among four titular stars. In the musical melodrama, Saldaña portrays Rita, an overlooked lawyer in Mexico who is contracted by cartel leader Manitas to locate the best gender-affirming care doctor so they can live as their authentic self.
In search of a new identity — and past life — the cartel leader fakes their death, undergoes gender reassignment surgery and assumes a new role as Emilia Pérez, played by Spanish transgender actor . The plot thickens years later when the protagonist wishes to reunite with her family — including ex-wife Jessi, played by . Through a set of musical numbers, Pérez is led to confront the legacy of her past.
The ensemble includes Mexican actor Adriana Paz as Epifania and Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramírez as Gustavo. Netflix its competitors for the at $8 million following its Cannes debut. Though “Emilia Pérez” cente.