The ambitious “Emilia Pérez” and its star-studded cast met with a fizzle at the box office and mounting criticisms that it was a not-so-faithful portrayal of Mexico that glamorizes the violence

French director Jacques Audiard defended and apologized for his film “Emilia Pérez” at its Mexican premiere Wednesday.

Mexican film critic Gaby Meza said “Emilia Perez” is “exotic and bold,” but without depth. “Not in the trans experience, not in the narco experience, not in the disappeared, but rather a touch of everything like an ingredient to sweeten.”

Actress Adriana Paz gives a press conference to promote the film "Emilia Perez," in Mexico City, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/)

Despite its huge international success, including a leading 13 Oscar nominations, "Emilia Perez" faces criticism in Mexico, where the transgender narco-musical has been accused of trivializing

Despite its huge international success, including a leading 13 Oscar nominations, Emilia Perez faces criticism in Mexico, where the

Mexican film critic Gaby Meza said “Emilia Pérez” is “exotic and bold,” but without depth. “Not in the trans experience, not in the narco experience, not in the disappeared, but rather a touch of everything like an ingredient to sweeten.”

She and co-stars Zoë Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz shared the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. In the film, Gascón plays a Mexican crime boss who seeks out a lawyer ...

In one notable exception, supporting cast member Adriana Paz, who plays Emilia’s lover, Epifanía, is from Mexico. Paz defended the movie in an interview with IndieWire. “I’ve heard people ...

Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz) and was the first trans woman nominated for film acting at the Golden Globes. Only three openly trans people have been nominated in any categories at the Oscars ...

The Spanish actress previously won the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival -- shared with co-stars Saldaña, Gomez and Adriana Paz -- and was nominated for a Golden Globe. In addition ...

Emilia Pérez' thinks it’s in a transgressive tradition. Instead, it turns out like every other narco movie. The director falls for one of the worst stereotypes.