“Emilia Pérez,” a film telling the story of a transgender Mexican cartel leader and her journey of reconciling with her past, is making waves as it enters the Academy Awards with 13 nominations this year—the highest for any film, particularly a non-English language one. Despite its acclaim, including accolades at the Golden Globe Awards, the film’s reception in Mexico has been far from favorable.
Critics in Mexico have voiced concerns over the film's portrayal of the country, arguing that it downplays the severe cartel violence affecting many lives. The involvement of French writer-director Jacques Audiard, who made remarks about the Spanish language perceived as disparaging, further fueled discontent. Additionally, lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón's comments relating to Islam and George Floyd have not sat well with audiences.
The movie didn’t hit Mexican theaters until January 23, five months post its premiere in France and two months after its U.S. release, leading to disappointment among local viewers who have noticed nearly empty cinemas. Some unhappy patrons have even demanded refunds for their tickets.
Conversely, a parody short film poking fun at "Emilia Pérez" has gained traction, while the movie itself has become a source of social media humor and memes. Families of violence victims in Mexico have also spoken out against it, prompting film experts like Francisco Peredo Castro to describe the situation as a “real disaster.”
