‘Emilia Pérez’ Trailer on Netflix Stars Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez

A new Netflix trailer features Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez in the spotlight of a Spanish-language musical crime comedy described as an “audacious fever dream.”

“Emilia Pérez,” which recently earned special awards at the Cannes Film Festival, plays with the concept of “halves” against a monotone backdrop. The trailer reveals character portraits in their half-assumed identities before the film’s name emerges amid gunfire and bloodshed.

The Jacques Audiard-directed thriller received high praise from film critics and an impressive 11-minute standing ovation at Cannes. The film took home a jury prize and a shared best actress award among its four lead stars.

In this musical melodrama, Saldaña takes on the role of Rita, an overlooked lawyer in Mexico. She is contracted by cartel leader Manitas to find the best gender-affirming care doctor so that they can live authentically. The cartel leader fakes their death, undergoes gender reassignment surgery, and adopts a new identity as Emilia Pérez, played by Spanish transgender actor Karla Sofía Gascón.

Years later, the plot thickens as Emilia Pérez wishes to reunite with her family, including her ex-wife Jessi, portrayed by Selena Gomez. Through a series of musical numbers, Pérez confronts the legacy of her past. The ensemble cast also includes Mexican actor Adriana Paz as Epifania and Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramírez as Gustavo.

Netflix secured the film for $8 million after its Cannes debut, outbidding its competitors in the process.

Although “Emilia Pérez” centers on a Mexican storyline, most of the filming took place in a French studio at Audiard’s request. Audiard noted that filming in Mexico would have been “a challenge,” according to Agence France-Presse.

During a press conference, Saldaña, who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage, expressed her admiration for the film’s Mexican focus, stating that Mexican culture is close to her heart after living in Los Angeles for over 20 years.

“[Audiard] has this story that depicts various aspects of Mexico and highlights things that need improvement in other countries,” Saldaña said. “But he also celebrates Mexico’s culture, which is so beautiful, rich, and artistic.”

For Selena Gomez, this marks her first Spanish-language film. Prior to the Cannes premiere, she told Brut that her biggest hurdle was the Spanish language, mentioning that she practiced with her family, especially her father, for over a year.

“I was really excited to reconnect with my culture and my life from when I was younger. I think that was beautiful,” she said.

The 32-year-old actress has previously garnered two Emmy nominations for her role as Mabel Mora in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” She was nominated for lead actress in a comedy series and also for best comedy series as an executive producer.

“Emilia Pérez” will start screening in select theaters on Nov. 1, followed by its streaming debut on Netflix on Nov. 13.

Source: Netflix, Agence France-Presse, Brut