Emilia Pérez: Awards Triumph Meets Critical Debate Over Central Character

“Emilia Pérez”: Awards Season Success and Lingering Critical Questions

The film “Emilia Pérez,” a unique musical narrative, has emerged as a notable presence during the 2025 awards season, securing a significant 13 nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards. The production ultimately took home two awards: Best Original Song and Best Supporting Actress, signaling considerable industry recognition.

Despite this acclaim, the movie has also sparked debate among critics, particularly concerning its portrayal of the titular character. A review originally published on November 5, 2024, by The Cut, and notably recirculated on March 2, 2025, coinciding with the 2025 Oscars, highlighted specific reservations that resonate with the original headline’s sentiment: “Emilia Pérez’s Biggest Problem Is Emilia Pérez.”

The Film’s Premise: Law, Crime, and Philanthropy

“Emilia Pérez” centers on Rita, an overworked lawyer portrayed by actress Zoe Saldaña. Rita becomes entangled in the world of Emilia Pérez, a wealthy trans woman. The narrative explores Emilia Pérez’s efforts to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance to families severely impacted by cartel violence.

The film weaves together elements of crime drama with musical sequences, presenting a complex story about identity, consequence, and the potential for redemption or continued moral ambiguity.

Critical Scrutiny of the Protagonist

Reviewer Harron Walker, in their critique for The Cut, articulated a central concern regarding the character of Emilia Pérez herself. Walker found the character “frustrating,” arguing that the film attempts, but ultimately fails, to genuinely humanize her journey. The review specifically noted the difficulty in accepting the transition from what Walker characterized as an “evil rich man to an an evil rich woman,” suggesting that the character remained fundamentally problematic.

This perspective views Emilia Pérez not as a reformed figure or sympathetic protagonist, but rather as the film’s ultimate “villain,” irrespective of her philanthropic endeavors or personal transformation. The timing of The Cut’s decision to recirculate this particular review on March 2, 2025, just as the film was prominent during the 2025 Academy Awards events, underscored the continued relevance of this critical viewpoint amidst the industry’s celebration of the movie.

Awards Recognition vs. Critical Dissent

The juxtaposition of significant awards recognition with pointed critical feedback creates a complex portrait of the film’s reception. While the 13 nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards underscore the film’s technical achievements and performances, as acknowledged by its wins for Best Original Song and Best Supporting Actress, the concerns raised by critics like Harron Walker highlight a fundamental disagreement on the success of the film’s central character study.

The debate around Emilia Pérez appears to touch upon how effectively the film navigates themes of crime, wealth, identity, and atonement. For some, the performance and concept resonated, leading to nominations and wins. For others, the character’s portrayal and the narrative choices surrounding her proved to be a significant hurdle, diminishing the film’s overall impact or message.

Conclusion: A Film of Contrasts

“Emilia Pérez” stands as a film marked by contrast: a musical tackling heavy themes of cartel violence and personal transformation, celebrated by the Academy with 13 nominations and two wins in 2025, yet simultaneously facing notable criticism over the perceived failures in its character development. The perspective articulated by Harron Walker in The Cut remains a key part of the film’s discourse, suggesting that for some viewers, the character of Emilia Pérez herself was, indeed, the film’s most significant challenge.