At the 2025 Golden Globe Awards held on January 5, the film Emilia Pérez made headlines with its remarkable wins, including Best Picture — Musical or Comedy and Best Original Song for "El Mal." Directed by Jacques Audiard, the movie has captivated audiences since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Among the numerous nominations the film racked up—eight, to be exact—it was singer/songwriter Camille, composer Clément Ducol, and Audiard who accepted the award for Best Original Song. Camille expressed her gratitude on stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, acknowledging Emilia Pérez stars Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña as pivotal to the song's impact. "Zoe and Karla: ‘El Mal’ wouldn’t be what it is without your performance. You just… shake the house and shake our souls. Salud," she stated, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
Competing against other musical pieces such as "Mi Camino" from Emilia Pérez and songs from The Last Showgirl, Challengers, Better Man, and The Wild Robot, "El Mal" shone through, signifying the film's strong presence at the awards this year. Other nominees couldn't overshadow the emotional resonance of the song, which has since been trending on Billboard charts.
Earlier, Zoe Saldaña clinched the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, marking the film's initial victory of the night. Social media, ablaze with reactions, questioned the popularity of Emilia Pérez, with users wondering how many had actually seen the film. An audacious narrative about identity and self-discovery, it resonates particularly well during current conversations surrounding representation.
The film's narrative centers on Emilia, played by Gascón, who navigates the challenges of exiting the drug cartel, and Rita, played by Saldaña, who plays her lawyer. It merges elements of musical storytelling with pivotal themes of transition and authenticity. Audiard, who previously articulated his desire to start this project as an opera, incorporated operatic stylization to amplify the film's emotional nuances. "When all of a sudden, you have a song break out, within a second, you hit the emotion immediately, you understand the meaning," he noted.
Aside from its Golden Globe triumphs, Emilia Pérez has achieved significant accolades on the festival circuit, including the Jury Prize at Cannes. Critics have been split on the film's merits, with some praising its bold approach, such as IndieWire's Ryan Lattanzio, who wrote, "You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a movie musical where the words ‘mammoplasty, vaginoplasty, rhinoplasty’ play out in song." While others feel the film's songs may not resonate deeply, its unique voice has certainly made it notable.
After the film's victory, Gascón delivered an empowering acceptance speech, underscoring the film’s representation of the transgender community. "The light always wins over darkness," she said, encouraging those who identify with marginalized communities to embrace their identities. She emphasized the resilience of the trans community, stating, "You can maybe put us in jail, you can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul, our existence, our identity. I want to say to you: Raise your voice... and say, 'I am who I am, not who you want.'" The emotional weight of her words reverberated through the audience, adding to the night’s impactful moments.
Appearing as Netflix's latest award contender, Emilia Pérez hit theaters on November 1 and became available for streaming on November 13. Its reception and awards success point toward its potential run during the upcoming Academy Awards season, propelling it forward as both popular and critically acclaimed.
The excitement surrounding the film was palpable at the Golden Globes, with its name echoed among the night’s big winners. The release of Emilia Pérez not only challenges traditional narratives but also invites audiences to partake in discussions about identity and transformation. Even with the mixed reviews, its trailblazing approach ensures its place not only at the awards but also within cinematic conversations moving forward.