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Published 17:49 15 Nov 2024 GMT
Updated 17:52 15 Nov 2024 GMT

Netflix has just added Emilia Pérez, a new musical crime thriller movie that is set to become one of 2024's most-talked about films.
Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jacques Audiard (A Prophet, The Sisters Brothers), it follows Rita (Zoe Saldaña, Guardians of the Galaxy) - an under-appreciated lawyer in Mexico stuck in a dead-end job.
Out of the blue, Rita is approached about taking on an unexpected assignment: helping a Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón in a breakthrough role) to fake her death and undergo gender-affirming procedures.
"The cartel leader begins a new life under a new name — Emilia Pérez," the Netflix plot synopsis reads.
"That decision changes not just the lives of Rita and Emilia, but also that of Emilia’s wife, Jessi (Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building)."
Described as an operatic musical, Emilia Pérez's ambitious and unpredictable story and blend of genres - as well as its universally excellent performances - have led it to garner a ton of acclaim.
The movie picked up two awards at Cannes this year following its premiere at the prestigious film festival: the Jury Prize and Best Actress.
The latter award was shared between Gascón, Gomez, Saldaña and their co-star Adriana Paz (Spectre).
Holding an 82% Rotten Tomatoes score, the movie is also already being tipped as a major contender for next year's Oscars.
You can read a sample of some of the glowing reviews for Emilia Pérez below:
ABC News: "You've never seen anything like like Jacques Audiard’s Spanish musical about violent passions starring Zoë Saldaña, Selena Gomez and trans actress Karla Sofia Gascón in career-defining performances that take a piece out of you. This you don't want to miss."
The Daily Beast: "Emilia Pérez wins you over by being unabashedly sincere. It takes its mission in all of its various genres—musical, crime thriller, and soap opera—seriously thanks to the committed performances and Audiard’s expressive direction."
Newsday: "An intelligent drama wrapped in an audacious musical."
USA Today: "The stellar acting and assorted songs boost much of the familiar elements in Emilia Pérez, creating something inventively original and never, ever bland."
Following a cinema release last month, Emilia Pérez is streaming on Netflix right now.
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