KARLA SOFÍA GASCÓN takes center stage in the newly released trailer for Emilia Peréz, streaming on Netflix starting November 13. The film, a mix of crime, drama, and musical, follows Gascón in the lead role as a Mexican cartel boss who fakes her death to avoid capture and undergoes a gender-affirming surgery. Alongside Gascón, the film stars Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, bringing intense emotions and high-stakes drama to the screen.
In the trailer, we see Emilia Peréz seated at a dinner table, mere seats away from her former lawyer Rita Moro Castro (Saldana), who helped her execute the daring escape years ago. Emilia’s appearance has drastically changed, and it’s only through a subtle remark that Rita realizes who she’s face-to-face with after all this time. Their reunion is charged with unspoken feelings conveyed through lingering glances and palpable tension.
However, Emilia’s relationship with her wife Jessi Del Monte (Gomez) is a different story, filled with turmoil. The trailer shows flashes of their life together, juxtaposed with scenes of violence, including gunfire and brutal kidnappings, adding to the intensity.
While the plot unfolds with secrecy, betrayals, and cartel intrigue, the trailer also teases a surprising twist: Emilia Peréz is a musical. In the final moments, Saldana breaks into song during a dinner scene, and Gomez is seen amidst a group of dancers, highlighting the film’s unexpected genre-bending element.
“Emilia Pérez is an extraordinary role,” Gascón shared in an interview with Netflix’s TUDUM. “It’s a dream for any actor. It requires deep dedication because the character’s complexity, along with two voices singing in a Mexican accent, makes it a challenging yet incredibly fulfilling role.”
Directed and written by Jacques Audiard, the film also stars Adriana Paz and Édgar Ramírez, with an original score composed by French duo Clément Ducol and Camille. Emilia Peréz first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where it earned praise for its unique blend of humor, tenderness, and bold storytelling. Rolling Stone’s David Fear called it “one of Audiard’s riskiest ventures,” balancing moments of tongue-in-cheek humor with genuine emotional depth.
With a star-studded cast, dynamic performances, and a fresh twist on cartel drama, Emilia Peréz promises to deliver a cinematic experience unlike any other.