Emilia Pérez Movie Review: Why This Oscar-Nominated Musical Drama Misses the Mark on Story, Music, and Direction

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Cast: Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Edgar Ramírez.

Director: Jacques Audiard

Good Points: The story is clear and easy to follow.

Bad Points: The drama lacks tension, the songs are forgettable, and overall, it feels dull.

Loo Break: Feel free to step out; you won’t miss anything crucial.

Should You Watch This? Probably not. There are better options out there.

Languages: English and Spanish (subtitled).

Available On: In theaters, VOD, and Netflix.

Runtime: 132 Minutes.

Overview: “Emilia Pérez” seems to divide opinions. It has generated buzz, but not necessarily for the right reasons. The premise is intriguing, yet the execution falls short. This isn’t just a simple drama; the film also attempts to blend in musical elements, but it misses the mark completely.

Script Analysis

With a film boasting 13 Academy Award nominations, expectations run high. Initially, I thought the backlash was undeserved. However, it’s clear that the script struggles. The characters seem poorly developed and the conflicts feel unrealistic. Important themes are juggled poorly, leading to a disconnected experience. The dialogue, particularly the Spanish lines, feel unnatural, further adding to the overall lack of quality.

Star Performances

Zoe Saldaña shines, even amidst the chaos of the film. But her character doesn’t get the depth it deserves. Karla Sofia Gascón does a decent job, yet her performance lacks the standout quality expected in an award-nominated role. Selena Gomez’s performance feels weak, especially in a language she’s not fluent in, which hampers her natural talent.

Direction and Music

Jacques Audiard has made some excellent films, so it’s surprising how underwhelming “Emilia Pérez” is. Every aspect, from cinematography to music, feels rushed and lacks coherence. The musical numbers are noticeably uninspired, and the visual style seems to mimic cheap soap operas, which detracts from the storytelling. The film’s nomination for technical awards feels misplaced.

Final Thoughts

“Emilia Pérez” may not be the worst film ever made, but it stands out as one of the weakest contenders for an Academy Award. It’s disappointing and unfocused, trying to do too much without delivering. Aside from a few moments of solid acting, the technical aspects and storytelling simply do not hold up.

Emilia Pérez premiered on February 27, 2025. What were your thoughts on it?