The Shocking Truth Behind 'El Mal' And Why 'Emilia Pérez' Is The Most Controversial Oscar-Winning Musical Of 2024
The film *Emilia Pérez* has become a phenomenon, a cultural flashpoint that redefined the musical genre and dominated the 2024 awards circuit, but its journey was anything but smooth. As of December 11, 2025, the buzz surrounding the film's groundbreaking narrative, its controversial director, and its multiple major wins—including the Oscar for Best Original Song for "El Mal"—continues to reverberate across the industry. This Spanish-language French musical crime drama, a truly audacious cinematic experiment, has sparked heated debate for its handling of a Mexican cartel leader’s gender transition, proving that the most celebrated art is often the most divisive.
The core of the film's emotional and narrative power lies in the song "El Mal" (The Evil), which is far more than a simple musical number; it's a raw, visceral exploration of the internal conflict faced by the protagonist. The film itself is a genre-bending masterpiece from celebrated writer-director Jacques Audiard, a project that captured global attention from its premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it secured both the Jury Prize and the Best Actress award, setting the stage for its subsequent triumph at the European Film Awards and the Academy Awards.
The Audacious Cast and Visionary Director of Emilia Pérez
The success of *Emilia Pérez* is inextricably linked to the bold choices made in its casting and the controversial vision of its creative team. Director Jacques Audiard, a cisgender white French man who does not speak Spanish, faced scrutiny for helming a Spanish-language film centered on a violent Mexican cartel leader's transgender journey. Despite the controversy, his direction was praised for its audacity and genre-bending execution, earning him the Best Director award at the European Film Awards.
Complete Cast and Key Creative Team
- Director and Writer: Jacques Audiard
- Music by: Clément Ducol and Camille (who also wrote the lyrics)
- Karla Sofía Gascón: Emilia Pérez / Juan "Manitas" Del Monte (Protagonist, a fearsome cartel leader who transitions)
- Zoe Saldaña: Rita Mora Castro (An unappreciated lawyer enlisted to help the transition)
- Selena Gomez: Jessi Del Monte (Wife of Juan "Manitas")
- Adriana Paz: (In a starring role)
- Édgar Ramírez: (In a starring role)
The film's casting was historic. Karla Sofía Gascón, a trans actress, delivered a performance so powerful that she won the Best Actress prize at Cannes, a major milestone for transgender representation in cinema. Zoe Saldaña's portrayal of the lawyer Rita was also critically lauded, with her performance in the film's musical numbers, particularly "El Mal," being a standout moment that earned her a Best Supporting Female Performance award in a comedy/musical category.
The Divisive Plot: Cartel, Transition, and Redemption
At its heart, *Emilia Pérez* is a story of four remarkable women in Mexico pursuing their own version of happiness, but the narrative is dominated by the transformation of a notorious figure. The film begins with Juan "Manitas" Del Monte, the fearsome, male-presenting leader of a powerful Mexican drug cartel, who is secretly tormented by the desire to transition.
Manitas hires Rita Mora Castro, a brilliant but overworked and underappreciated lawyer, to facilitate his disappearance and subsequent gender affirmation surgery. This operation is a complex, high-stakes maneuver designed to allow the cartel boss to finally live as his true self: Emilia Pérez. After the transition, Emilia returns to Mexico, now presenting as a woman, to reunite with her family and attempt a form of redemption, albeit one built on the foundation of a criminal past.
The film's blending of dark, gritty crime drama with vibrant, often surreal musical sequences is what makes it so unique and, for some, so jarring. The juxtaposition of a violent cartel world with the emotional release of a musical genre is a deliberate choice that challenges audience expectations and drives the film's central themes of identity, power, and the possibility of change.
'El Mal': The Oscar-Winning Song That Defines the Film's Darkness
The song "El Mal," which translates literally to "The Evil" or "The Bad," is arguably the film's most critically acclaimed and emotionally resonant piece, ultimately winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Written by Clément Ducol and Camille, the song is a powerful, gut-punching number that captures the darkness and moral weight of the protagonist's life as a cartel leader.
Zoe Saldaña’s rendition of "El Mal" is a highlight of the film. The song is not a typical, upbeat musical number; instead, it's an intense, dramatic piece that delves into the cycle of violence and corruption that Juan "Manitas" Del Monte/Emilia Pérez is a part of. It’s an aural manifestation of the internal struggle against the 'evil' that has defined his life and the moral compromises made to survive and thrive in the criminal underworld. The song’s success underscores the film's ability to use the musical format to explore profound and difficult themes, rather than just light entertainment.
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The triumph of "El Mal" at the Oscars, alongside the film's other nominations, solidified *Emilia Pérez*'s status as a major cultural force. The win was a significant moment for a Spanish-language song from a French production to achieve such high recognition on the global stage, highlighting the international appeal and boundary-pushing nature of the entire project.
Awards, Accolades, and Lingering Controversy
*Emilia Pérez* has been a magnet for both praise and controversy since its debut, making it one of the most talked-about films of the year. Its long list of accolades is a testament to its artistic ambition, while the criticisms highlight the complexity of its subject matter.
Key Awards and Milestones
- 2024 Cannes Film Festival: Won the Jury Prize and Best Actress (Karla Sofía Gascón).
- European Film Awards 2024: Triumphed with five prizes, including Best Film, Best Director (Jacques Audiard), and Best Screenwriter.
- Academy Awards (Oscars): Won Best Original Song for "El Mal."
- Golden Globe Awards: Nominated for multiple categories, further cementing its status as an awards frontrunner.
- Netflix Acquisition: Netflix picked up the film for streaming, ensuring its global reach and accessibility to a massive audience.
Despite the overwhelming success, the film remains a source of contention. Critics have pointed out that while the film is ambitious, it sometimes feels "too dull" or "all outline, no substance" in its execution. The primary ethical debate centers on a cis, non-Spanish-speaking director handling a sensitive story about a transgender Mexican cartel leader, raising questions about cultural appropriation and authentic representation.
Ultimately, the legacy of *Emilia Pérez* is one of fearless storytelling. It is a film that demands attention, challenges conventions, and uses the unexpected medium of the musical to explore themes of gender identity, crime, and the quest for a new life. The power of "El Mal" and the sheer audacity of the film's vision ensure that it will be studied and debated for years to come, solidifying its place as a truly unique cinematic achievement of 2024.
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