Is Emilia Pérez Based on a True Story? Here’s What You Should Know

Netflix’s Emilia Pérez is generating buzz with its unique blend of crime, music, and heartfelt storytelling. With Latina stars like Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Sofía Gascón leading the cast, it’s no wonder people are asking: “Is this based on a true story?”

Short answer? No. But the story feels so authentic that many can’t help but wonder. Let’s get into what’s fact, what’s fiction, and the inspiration behind this critically acclaimed film.

Emilia Pérez: The Storyline

At its heart, Emilia Pérez is a story of transformation—on both a personal and societal level. The film presents us with Rita (Zoe Saldaña), a dedicated defense attorney in Mexico City who’s determined to make a real impact on the world. Then comes “Manitas Del Monte” (Karla Sofía Gascón), a notorious drug lord with an unexpected aspiration: to abandon his former life and transition into a woman, becoming Emilia Pérez.

Emilia’s transformation takes her from a villainous past to becoming a beloved figure within the community. However, her previous life as “Manitas” continues to loom large. The film masterfully blends deeply emotional scenes with dazzling musical numbers, crafting a narrative that is both intense and imaginative.

Is the Story of Emilia Pérez Inspired by Real Events?

No, Emilia Pérez isn’t based on a true story. The character Emilia Pérez, once the notorious drug lord Manitas Del Monte, is purely fictional. Yet, the film is so grounded in authentic struggles and emotions that it’s understandable why some might think it’s real. Themes such as identity, societal judgments, and redemption are universal, making Emilia’s journey connect deeply with audiences.

The genuine depiction of Emilia’s inner struggle, paired with the film’s raw cinematography, boosts its sense of authenticity. Yet, fundamentally, the movie is a fictional work crafted to delve into these themes in a distinct and theatrical manner.

Is It Based on a True Story?

Although Emilia Pérez isn’t based on real-life events, it takes inspiration from the 2018 French novel “Écoute” (“Listen”) by Boris Razon. In the book, there’s a minor character who’s a drug lord dreaming of transitioning into a woman. Director Jacques Audiard saw the potential in this character but thought the idea wasn’t fully explored. With Razon’s blessing, he expanded on the concept, turning it into the core of Emilia Pérez.

Interestingly, the movie was initially conceived as an opera during the COVID-19 lockdown. Audiard imagined it as a larger-than-life tale centered around music. Although it has transformed into a film combining crime, drama, and musical elements, its operatic roots are still visible, particularly in its striking musical numbers and dramatic storytelling.

Karla Sofía Gascón’s Role and Impact

Karla Sofía Gascón, who takes on the roles of both Manitas Del Monte and Emilia Pérez, played a key role in crafting the character and the narrative. As a transgender actress, Gascón provided essential perspective for authentically portraying Emilia’s transition and emotional journey.

At first, Audiard thought about hiring two separate actors for the role—one to play Manitas and another for Emilia. But Gascón persuaded him to combine the roles, suggesting that the transformation would have a greater impact and feel more authentic if one actor handled both. She described the character as having ‘Beauty and the Beast trapped in the same body,’ highlighting the inner conflict and dual nature of someone wrestling with identity and what society expects from them.

Gascón’s influence extended further than just collaboration. She teamed up with Audiard to fine-tune key scenes, making sure they steered clear of stereotypes and resonated with her own experiences as a trans woman. Her personal journey added another layer of depth to the character. Gascón, who transitioned in 2018 after thriving as a male telenovela star in series like El señor de los cielos (Telemundo), has openly discussed the personal hurdles she faced in embracing her true identity. This blend of her own journey with Emilia’s transformation brought an undeniable authenticity to the performance.

Eugenio Derbez Calls Out Selena Gomez’s Spanish Acting: The Discussion

The release of Emilia Pérez has generated buzz, not just for awards but also for sparking intense discussions, especially about Selena Gomez’s role as Rita, a defense attorney in the film. Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez openly criticized Gomez’s performance, stating that her Spanish-speaking acting fell short on nuance and authenticity.

“Her acting is inexcusable,” Derbez mentioned while guesting on the podcast Hablemos de Cine con. He talked about watching the movie with others and feeling confused during Gomez’s scenes: “We kept exchanging glances, like, ‘Wow, what are we watching?'”

Derbez agreed with host Gaby Meza, who pointed out that Gomez’s challenges came from her limited Spanish skills, since it’s not her first language. Meza believed that Gomez’s lack of full comprehension of her lines hurt her ability to bring depth to the character.

Despite these critiques, Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, has been celebrated for its unique mix of crime, music, and drama. The Cannes Film Festival awarded the movie the Jury Prize, along with Best Actress Ensemble to Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Adriana Paz. The film also snagged ten Golden Globe nominations, including a nod for Gomez as Best Supporting Actress.

Derbez questioned the accolades, arguing that those giving the awards “don’t speak Spanish” and therefore overlooked what he considered a below-par performance.

Selena Gomez responded to Derbez’s comments in the TikTok post’s comments section that was all about the controversy. “I get where you’re coming from. I’m sorry; I did the best I could with the time I had,” Gomez explained. She highlighted the energy she devoted to the role, adding, “That doesn’t take away from how much effort and heart went into this movie.”

Gomez also fired back at Derbez’s suggestion that her fans were causing the backlash by sticking up for her without question. “Don’t ever say my fans are the problem,” she asserted, standing her ground.

After the backlash, Eugenio Derbez put out a public apology on TikTok, admitting that his comments were inappropriate.

“I truly apologize for my thoughtless comments; they were unacceptable and contradict all my values. As Latinos, we should always have each other’s backs. There are no excuses. I messed up and have a lot of respect for your career and your generous spirit,” Derbez wrote.

He went on to consider his mistake, saying, “Emilia Pérez deserves to be celebrated, not put down by my careless comments. I’m taking this as a valuable lesson. While I get that some people might not accept my apology, I want everyone to know it comes from the heart.”