Emilia Pérezis one of the most unique and critically acclaimed movies of 2024, and here are 10 other films to watch if you’re looking for something else likeNetflix’s new crime musical.Emilia Pérezis a strange film that combines a lot of seemingly juxtaposed elements, with it creating a wholly original experience that can’t be found anywhere else. While no other film encapsulates everything that makes upEmilia Pérez’s DNA, there are tons of films that share at least one trait, with these 10 being the best options for fans ofEmilia Pérez.
Emilia Pérezis director Jacques Audiard’s 2024 Netflix film, with itstarring Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascónas the titular character. The film follows a lawyer named Rita who is asked to help the leader of a Mexican cartel on a secretive mission. Rita’s task is to help the kingpin transition into living as a woman, with Rita helping to create the life of Emilia Pérez and subsequently covering her tracks.Emilia Pérezis a trans story that also delves into the crime and legal genres, with the fact that it is a musical being the cherry on top.
Sicario
Cast
Sicario is a crime thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve, featuring Emily Blunt as an idealistic FBI agent. The film explores the intense and morally complex war on drugs at the U.S.-Mexico border, with key performances by Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin.
One of the biggest draws ofEmilia Pérezis the fact that it is a crime story, and while there are all kinds of excellent movies about the Mexican drug cartel, there is almost none better thanSicario. Denis Villeneuve’s 2015 film follows a black ops group that is tasked with infiltrating and taking down a Mexican drug cartel, with them enlisting the help of another cartel to do so. The tense crime film was a massive critical success, with it even getting asequel in 2018 in the form ofSicario: Day of the Soldado.
Emilia Pérez Ending Explained: What Happens To Emilia, Jessi & Rita
The ending of Netflix’s crime comedy musical Emilia Pérez raises tough questions about the moral and redemptive qualities of the titular protagonist.
AlthoughSicarioisn’t nearly as feel-good asEmilia Pérez, the entirety of the film is tonally reminiscent ofEmilia Pérez’s opening scenes.Sicariogives an even bigger focus to the inner-workings of the various Mexican drug cartels, with many of the characters inSicariobeing reminiscent of characters that can be found inEmilia Pérez.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Starring Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard, Mrs. Doubtfire follows a struggling actor going through a divorce who, at the prospect of never being able to see his children again, poses as an elderly British nanny in order to spend time with him, fooling them and his ex-wife in the process. As Mrs. Doubtfire becomes more and more important to the family, Daniel begins to struggle with keeping his secret, and the toll it continues to have on his relationship with his family outside of the character. Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, and Harvey Fierstein also star.
Mrs. Doubtfireis not a trans story, as it centers on a man who is disguising himself as a woman, whileEmilia Pérezis focused on a real transgender woman. When it comes to their narratives, however, they have a surprising amount of similarities. Chris Columbus' 1993 comedy follows Robin Williams' Daniel Hillard who, after discovering that he is losing custody of his kids, decides to dress himself up as a nanny to spend more time with them.
Throughout the events ofEmilia Pérez,Emilia’s family believes that she died, with them not knowing that she actually transitioned into living as a woman. Instead, they believe that Emilia is actually a distant relative, with them moving in with her so that they can come back to Mexico. Throughout the film, Emilia’s attempts to get closer to her kids without blowing her cover, leading to several comedic beats and heartfelt moments that are reminiscent ofMrs. Doubtfire.
Annette
Present-day Los Angeles. Henry is an outspoken stand-up comedian, Ann a world-famous singer. They’re a happy celebrity couple, living life in the glare of the spotlight, but their world is turned upside-down by the birth of their first child, Annette, a mysterious little girl with an exceptional destiny.
Emilia Pérez’s bizarre mix of genres and unique songs makes it one of the strangest musicals ever, although it isn’t the strangest.Leos Carax’s 2021 musical stars Adam Driveras a stand-up comedian and Marion Cotillard as an opera singer, with the couple taking care of a daughter who takes the form of a wooden puppet. Annette then becomes a world-famous sensation, leading to a bizarre and trippy series of events.
Annette’s story, themes, and reality are incredibly difficult to decipher, but the movie is so strange that it’s funny. Much likeEmilia Pérez,Annetteis a musical comedy that left many audiences scratching their heads, although it received overwhelming critical praise. Thus, fans ofEmilia Pérezshould check out Carax’s musical from only a few years ago.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to Todd Phillips' critically acclaimed comic book thriller Joker. Reprising his Academy Award-winning performance as the failed comedian Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix revisits the iconic DC character alongside Lady Gaga, who makes her debut as Joker’s lover Harley Quinn in this standalone continuity of the DC Universe.
Emilia Pérezisn’t the only bizarre musical that was released in 2024, in fact,as it was released merely a few weeks afterJoker: Folie à Deuxhit theaters.Joker: Folie à Deuxis the musical sequel to Todd Phillips' non-musical 2019 hitJoker, with the second Joaquin Phoenix villain movie taking things in a strange new direction. Despite being incredibly dark,Joker: Folie à Deuxfeatures all kinds of cheery musical sequences, although it is never clear what is real and what is in the titular clown’s mind.
Joker: Folie à Deux, much likeEmilia Pérez, surprised many with its musical element. While it doesn’t really seem like either needs to be a musical, they would undoubtedly be completely different without this element. UnlikeEmilia Pérez, however,the secondJokermovie was much more critically divisive, with most viewers having drastically different thoughts after the end of the film.
The Sisters Brothers
The Sisters Brothers is a 2018 Western film directed by Jacques Audiard. Set in 1851, it follows assassins Eli and Charlie Sisters, played by John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix, as they pursue a gold prospector accused of stealing from their boss. The film intertwines themes of loyalty, family, and survival against the backdrop of the American Frontier.
Emilia Pérezwas directed by Jacques Audiard, and viewers who loved his most recent film should check out some of his other works. Audiard’s most popular film beforeEmilia Pérezcame out in 2018, with it being the Western comedyThe Sisters Brothers. StarringJoaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly, and Jake Gyllenhaal, the movie follows the titular brothers as they are sent on an assassination job, only for things to get far more complex than they initially seemed.
Where Was Emilia Pérez Filmed? Shooting Locations Explained
Netflix’s Emilia Pérez takes place in various locations around the world but mostly takes place in Mexico City despite being shot in Paris, France.
The Sisters Brothersis tonally similar toEmilia Pérez, with it having similar comedic moments mixed with incredibly dark scenes and a crime story. Plus, since it was directed by Jacques Audiard, many of the same directorial flourishes that are seen inEmilia Pérezcan also be found inThe Sisters Brothers.
A Prophet (2009)
A Prophet is a French crime drama directed by Jacques Audiard. The film follows Malik El Djebena, a young, illiterate man sentenced to six years in prison. Incarcerated, he becomes embroiled with a dominant Corsican gang, gaining their trust through completed tasks, while navigating the complexities of prison life.
Director Jacques Audiard has also made crime dramas that are a bit more straightforward, such as the 2009 filmA Prophet.A Prophetfollows a young Muslim man who is being held in a French prison. The protagonist soon finds himself being taken under the wing of a powerful member of the prison’s mob, leading to him getting various assignments and quickly rising up the ranks of the prison’s criminal underworld.
A Prophetis arguably Jacques Audiard’s most critically acclaimed film, with it being beloved ever since it was released. Much likeEmilia Pérez,A Prophetfeatures a lot of deep social commentary and dark criminal action, with it being perfect for fans ofEmilia Pérezwho want to see Audiard’s range.
Tangerine
Tangerine, directed by Sean Baker, follows transgender sex worker Sin-Dee Rella, fresh out of jail on Christmas Eve, as she scours the streets of Los Angeles to track down her unfaithful pimp boyfriend. The film stands out for its raw and vibrant portrayal of marginalized communities, capturing the unique dynamics and resilience of its characters. Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez star in this groundbreaking, iPhone-shot drama.
One of the goals ofEmilia Pérezis for it to realistically explore the experience of being a trans woman, and while it does succeed at points, the various intersecting storylines and comedic beats can distract the movie a bit. While there are plenty of fantastic trans movies, one of the most popular and critically acclaimed is Sean Baker’s 2015 filmTangerine.
Tangerineis a comedy-drama that follows the story of a transgender sex workerwho discovers that her boyfriend has been cheating on her. While the film is much smaller in scale thanEmilia Pérez, it features similar themes and motifs. The film has been beloved since it was originally released, with it being a great pick for any fans of movies about the trans experience.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Originally based on a stage play, The Rocky Horror Picture show is considered one of the most significant countercultural films of all time and maintains a wide cult following to this day. The film stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick, and follows Brad and Janet, a young couple who, after experiencing car trouble on a stormy night, are taken in by scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, an alien transvestite who lives in a nearby castle with his equally colorful servants.
The most notable thing aboutEmilia Pérezis that it is an LGBTQ+ musical, with it being all about the experience of being a trans woman. While they aren’t as mainstream,Emilia Pérezis just the latest in a historied series of musicals that have been made for the queer community. While there are plenty of good examples, one of the most famous is the beloved horror comedy musicalThe Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The Rocky Horror Picture Showis the definition of a cult classic, with it only growing in popularity each year. Although the movie hasn’t aged perfectly since it was released in 1975,The Rocky Horror Picture Showhas been praised as a landmark in queer media, with it clearly having strong LGBT influences.The Rocky Horror Picture Showis absolutely hilarious and features incredibly memorable characters, with it being a yearly Halloween watch for many fans.
Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots is a 2005 film directed by Julian Jarrold, inspired by a true story. It follows Charlie Price, played by Joel Edgerton, who inherits a struggling shoe factory and partners with drag queen Lola, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, to produce a line of high-heeled boots for men. This unexpected collaboration revitalizes the business and challenges societal norms, leading to personal and professional transformations.
Another popular musical that centers on the LGBTQ+ community isKinky Boots,with the 2005 film being a great next pick for fans ofEmilia Pérez. The film focuses on the world of drag, with the film following the owner of a struggling shoe business as he decides to begin selling footware to drag queens and other erotic dancers.
Emilia Pérez Review: Zoe Saldana’s Spectacular Netflix Crime Musical Melodrama Defies All Genres
Emilia Pérez is a narco crime saga, melodrama, and pop-opera all in one, affecting and thrilling as it teeters between chaos and control.
Kinky Bootshas been a popular musical since it was first released, withKinky Bootseven getting adapted into a stage production. While theKinky Bootsmovie isn’t as beloved as the play, it still received generally positive reviews, with it being one of the few major musicals to center around characters who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
1Hedwig And The Angry Inch
Directed By John Cameron Mitchell
While some of the other entries on this list are musicals about the LGBTQ+ community,viewers who are specifically looking for another musical movie that features a trans woman as a protagonist have to look no further thanHedwig and the Angry Inch. The film follows a German trans woman who lives in Kansas, with her attempting to become a rock sensation through her powerful music.
Although the film does have some detractors, with some criticizing some elements of its depiction of the trans experience,Hedwig and the Angry Inchhas received incredibly positive reviews since it was first released in 2001. The film’scriticisms are similar to those that have been hurled atEmilia Pérez, but fans of the 2024 movie will most likely find a lot to love inHedwig and the Angry Inchas well.
Emilia Perez
Emilia Perez is a drama film that follows the life of Emilia Perez, a determined and ambitious individual striving to make a name for herself in a competitive environment. The story explores her journey as she navigates the challenges and obstacles that come her way, all while uncovering the complexities of her own identity.
