Why Emilia Pérez nominations has sparked significant controversy, and the backlash it has received is justified

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The movie Emilia Pérez has been a standout during the 2025 awards season, garnering significant attention and controversy for several reasons. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film received 13 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón. This makes it the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscar's history. Its plot, blending crime drama, music, and social themes, tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader transitioning genders to escape a life of crime, making it a bold and unconventional narrative.

The movie's success has sparked debates. While some praise its groundbreaking themes and Gascón's historic nomination as the first openly trans woman in the Best Actress category, others criticize it for relying on stereotypes and question its handling of trans and Mexican cultural representation. Additionally, Zoë Saldaña's role as a Spanish-speaking lawyer added to the controversy, with some feeling it sidelined native Spanish-speaking actors. The Oscars' reduced voter turnout due to wildfires has also fueled speculation about how the nominations were determined.

Overall, Emilia Pérez is polarizing, with its acclaim seen by some as a progressive milestone and by others as an overcorrection by Hollywood to prioritize socially significant narratives, regardless of quality.

The controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez as an Oscar nomination appears to stem from a mix of factors, including its perceived audience reception, critical reception, and the nature of its nominations. Here’s a breakdown of your points:

Rating and Audience Reception

A 6/10 IMDb rating suggests that the audience reception is divided. IMDb ratings often reflect the general public's opinion, which can differ significantly from critics' reviews. A score like this might indicate that the movie struggled to resonate with a majority of viewers, making its nomination as Best Motion Picture seem questionable to many.

To be called the "best," a movie typically needs to strike a balance between critical acclaim and audience appreciation. If it skews too far in one direction, it can raise doubts about its merit.

Oscar Nominations

The Oscars sometimes nominate movies that aren't universally loved, often prioritizing artistic merit, innovation, or cultural significance over broad audience appeal.

If Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations, many people might feel that the film's strengths were overstated or that the nominations were overly generous for a film that didn't connect with a wider audience.

Logical Standards for Best Picture

For many, the Best Motion Picture category should represent a movie that resonates with both audiences and critics. If a significant portion of the audience feels disconnected from a nominee, it challenges the notion that the movie is truly "the best."

Some people argue that the Oscars have increasingly leaned into niche or experimental picks, potentially alienating mainstream viewers.

Cultural or Industry Bias?

Sometimes, Oscar controversies arise because of perceived industry politics, such as lobbying by studios or favoring movies that align with specific cultural narratives or trends. This can fuel skepticism about whether the nominations are entirely merit-based.

The 13 Oscar nominations for Emilia Pérez have drawn criticism, as many feel it overshadowed deserving works. This disparity highlights concerns about the fairness of the nomination process, where certain projects seem overrepresented, while others, despite their critical and audience acclaim, are left out entirely. Such imbalances raise questions about the criteria used to evaluate films for prestigious awards.