Fans of Selena Gomez are stirred up over her latest film, Emilia Pérez, which has sparked widespread backlash since its Netflix release. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jacques Audiard, the musical-thriller has divided audiences, with many labeling it as "the most offensive film of the year." Some viewers have praised Gomez's performance and the film's ambitious storytelling, but others have slammed it for being dull and failing to resonate.
After its debut, social media exploded with mixed feelings. On platforms like Reddit, numerous fans expressed their disappointment. One user remarked, "I’m surprised to see the universal acclaim this movie is getting. I thought it was kinda wack. It’s kinda boring." Another fan went as far to say, "I don't think Selena Gomez is a good actress,” indicating how varied opinions truly are.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Another user expressed confusion over the film’s buzz for awards, stating, "I get it's a weak film year but how the hell is this actually getting any Oscar buzz? It is bad. All 3 winning Cannes for Best Actress was a joke right? What am I missing?" The consensus among some fans seemed to be rooted not only in disappointment but also annoyance at how the film has captivated some parts of the industry.
Further discussions on Reddit included critiques of the film's music and narrative structure. One user acknowledged, "I found the music to be gimmicky and distracting, and the story to be unfocused until it descended entirely to nonsense." This sentiment highlighted the struggle many fans felt trying to connect with what was presumably intended as a unique and multifaceted film.
Adding more fuel to the fire, another commentator wrote, "The songs are laughably bad, literally laughed at most song scenes because they were so ridiculously out of place and horribly written.” This kind of harsh critique underlines how the artistic choices made by the filmmakers did not resonate with everyone.
Some fans were really upset with the themes addressed, particularly the portrayal of transgender and Mexican culture. One commenter indicated, "Insanely offensive, yes, it manages to windmill slam on every single bad trans movie trope…" They felt the film mishandled significant cultural elements, making their experience with it even more frustrating.
Despite the outcry, reactions to the film have not been uniformly negative. On Twitter, some individuals spoke highly of Emilia Pérez, applauding the performances and the creative energy present throughout. This split reception has left the film's reception murky, stirring curiosity on how it will perform critically and commercially moving forward.
The film revolves around the life of a cartel kingpin, Del Monte, who undergoes gender-affirming surgery. Audiences follow Del Monte's transformation as they navigate struggles and personal redemption. Supporting characters include Rita, played by Zoe Saldaña, and Jessi, portrayed by Selena Gomez. The movie uses vibrant musical numbers to drive its narrative, which is certainly not something every viewer connected with.
Interviews from cast members reveal more about the effort and determination behind the film. Adriana Paz, who plays Epifanía, shared her feelings about stepping onto the set with established actors. She expressed her nerves during the premiere at Cannes since her character only had limited screen time compared to her acclaimed co-stars. During her conversation with Collider, she stated, "This time, I never felt like I got it because I had just two or three scenes, and it was so difficult… So, I think I never felt like I ‘got’ the role. I was like, 'Okay, I think we are here, but let’s see.'" This aspect of the film-making process highlights the vulnerability actors face, even those stepping onto celebrated stages.
Paz praised her co-star Karla Sofía Gascón, who set the tone for the environment on set. During interviews, she openly spoke about Gascón’s welcoming nature, emphasizing how it helped ease her nerves. Gascón’s leadership skills are noted to have encouraged synergy among the ensemble cast. Paz described her as “embracing” and mentioned how it was relieving for her to feel welcomed by the lead actress.
Gascón’s performance has also broached notable mentions, with Adriana Paz claiming, “I was amazed by her performance. I think she deserves everything happening to her.” Given the challenges surrounding the film, it’s clear how important it was for the cast members to support one another.
Despite the wave of hate and confusion surrounding the film, the undeniable energy from the assembled talent reflects its potential. With musical storytelling at its core, Emilia Pérez has continuously attracted attention for its unique narrative blending difficult realities with creative expression. The stark contrasts of opinion signify just how challenging it can be to engage diverse audience bases with complex cultural conversations.
For many, the film’s harsh criticisms and polarized reviews can serve as acknowledgment of the sensitive nature of the subject matter, leading many fans to hope for the creative community to tackle cultural elements with more nuance moving forward. While Emilia Pérez swirls within the spotlight, its reception reiterates the diverse dialogue between the mediums of music, culture, and cinematic storytelling.
