Emilia Pérez is officially the most-nominated movie at the 2025 Oscars, and the internet is baffled. Written and directed by the French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, Netflix’s controversial crime musical follows a Mexican cartel leader who enlists the help of a lawyer to secretly undergo gender-affirming surgery, fake her own death, and start a new life as her authentic self. Emilia Pérez‘s cast includes Karla Sofía Gascón as the тιтular character alongside Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Mark Ivanir, Édgar Ramírez, and more.

Soon after Emilia Pérez earned 13 Oscar nominations, the most for any movie this year, many took to social media to share their baffled reactions. Overall, people are shocked, frustrated, and confused that Netflix’s controversial crime musical received so many nominations while their favorites were snubbed. Check out some of the reactions below:

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Sharing a GIF from Emilia Pérez, @GothamChief says, “slowly realising Emilia Perez is nominated for every #Oscars category but Dune 2 isn’t.”

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Sharing a GIF from The Substance, @wednesdaysadums says “oscars snubbed kneecap and then nominated emilia pérez in almost every category. they are NOT serious people.”

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Sharing the same GIF from Emilia Pérez, @maranellosaint laments “emilia perez getting an editing nomination over dune or challengers.”

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Sharing a video of the musical number “La Vaginoplastia” from Emilia Pérez, @JeffDLowe says “I can’t even wrap my head around ‘Emilia Pérez’ getting THIRTEEN (13!!!) #Oscars nominations. Quite possibly the worst movie ever (mid-scores from audiences & critics) to get double digit nominations. Baffling.”

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Sharing a GIF of an angry Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) from The Shining @RawbertBeef says “Emilia Pérez getting a nomination in almost EVERY CATEGORY… give me a break. #Oscars.”

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@carolinerenard_ says “Emilia Perez is Green Book levels of fake progressiveness. People patting themselves on the backs for this form of “allyship” is as a far some can get.”

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@theBurk3nator shared a pH๏τo of Willem Dafoe from The Card Counter captioned “Me after Emilia Perez gets 10+ Oscar noms.”

Likely referring to “La Vaginoplastia,” @dude3000.bsky.social‬ says “i’m guessing that emilia perez clip that went around recently was the worst thing in the movie, but, like, no movie with a stretch that bad should have the most nominations.”

@andylevy.net‬ says “congrats to emilia perez for securing the coveted green book slot.”

‪@kobcritic.bsky.social‬ says “Emilia Pérez is winning (or is at least the clear frontrunner) Best Picture and we just have to make peace with this I guess.”

@rafiews.com‬ says “Emilia Pérez in score over Challengers… Wars have been waged over less.”

What The Reactions Mean For Emilia Pérez’s Oscar Nominations

The Academy Has Recognized A Controversial Movie

Suffice it to say that Emilia Pérez has been a deeply polarizing movie. This past May, it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was very well received, winning the Jury Prize and the Best Actress award for its entire female ensemble – Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Overall, the movie has received mostly positive reactions from critics, indicated by its 76% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with Emilia Pérez reviews praising it as a bold, genre-defying film that proudly embraces its trans story.

However, Emilia Pérez has been widely panned in Mexico, where the movie takes place, facing criticism for its cultural portrayal and stereotypes. Many in the LGBTQ+ community have also criticized Emilia Pérez for its handling of its тιтular trans character and her story arc. Though this hasn’t stopped it from performing well during awards season. It was the second most-nominated film in Golden Globes history and has now received a leading 13 Oscar nominations. However, it remains deeply divisive with general audiences, indicated by its 33% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Our Take On Emilia Pérez’s Oscar Nominations

It’s The Most Intense Debate This Awards Season

In light of its leading 13 Oscar nominations, Emilia Pérez has sparked the most intense debate of this awards season. While some see it as a bold and progressive musical, others argue it falls into problematic storytelling and representation. No matter, it’s a debate that should be had among Mexican and LGBTQ+ people. Regardless of where one stands, there’s no denying that Emilia Pérez is one of the most fascinating and talked-about movies of 2024, which will likely continue after the Oscars are awarded.

Source: Various (see links above)