Emilia Pérez is one of the most unique and critically acclaimed films of 2024, and here are 10 other films to watch if you’re looking for something more like Netflix’s new crime musical. Emilia Pérez is a strange film that combines many seemingly juxtaposed elements, creating a wholly original experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Although no other film encapsulates everything it makes up Emilia PérezIn DNA, there are many films that share at least one characteristic, with these 10 being the best options for fans of Emilia Pérez.
Emilia Pérez is the 2024 Netflix film from director Jacques Audiard, starring Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón as the titular character. The film follows a lawyer named Rita who is asked to help the leader of a Mexican cartel on a secret mission. Rita’s task is to help the big boss transition into a female life, with Rita helping to create Emilia Pérez’s life and subsequently covering her tracks. Emilia Pérez is a trans story that also delves into the police and legal genresthe fact that it is a musical being the icing on the cake.
10
Sicario
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
One of the biggest attractions Emilia Pérez It’s the fact that it’s a crime storyand while there are all kinds of great movies about the Mexican drug cartel, there are almost none better than Sicario. Denis Villeneuve’s 2015 film follows a black ops group tasked with infiltrating and taking down a Mexican drug cartel, with help from another cartel to do so. The tense crime film was a huge critical success, even receiving a sequel in 2018 in the form of Sicario: Day of the Soldado.
Although Sicario is not as pleasant as Emilia Pérezthe entirety of the film is tonally reminiscent of Emilia Pérezopening scenes. Sicario gives even greater focus to the inner workings of the various Mexican drug cartels, with many of the characters in Sicario remembering characters that can be found in Emilia Pérez.
9
Mrs.
Directed by Chris Columbus
Mrs. is not a trans story, as it centers on a man who disguises himself as a woman, while Emilia Pérez is focused on a real transgender woman. However, when it comes to their narratives, they have a surprising amount of similarities. Chris Columbus’ 1993 comedy follows Robin Williams’ Daniel Hillard, who, upon discovering he is losing custody of his children, decides to dress up as a nanny to spend more time with them.
Throughout the events of Emilia Pérez, Emilia’s family believes she diedwith them not knowing that she has actually transitioned to live as a woman. Instead, they believe that Emilia is actually a distant relative, and they move in with her so they can return to Mexico. Throughout the film, Emilia’s attempts to get closer to her children without blowing her cover, generating several comical beats and emotional moments that are reminiscent of Mrs..
8
Annette
Directed by Leos Carax
Emilia PérezThe bizarre mix of genres and unique songs makes it one of the strangest musicals of all time, although not the strangest. Leos Carax’s 2021 musical stars Adam Driver as a stand-up comedian and Marion Cotillard as an opera singer, with the couple caring for a daughter who takes the form of a wooden doll. Annette then becomes a world-famous sensation, leading to a series of bizarre and mind-bending events.
AnnetteThe story, themes and reality of are incredibly difficult to decipher, but the film is so strange that it’s funny. Very similar Emilia Pérez, Annette is a musical comedy that left many audiences scratching their headsalthough it received overwhelming critical praise. So, fans of Emilia Pérez you should check out the Carax musical from just a few years ago.
7
Joker: Folie à Deux
Directed by Todd Phillips
Emilia Pérez isn’t the only bizarre musical coming out in 2024, in fact, as it was released just a few weeks later Joker: Folie à Deux success in cinemas. Joker: Folie à Deux is the musical sequel to Todd Phillips’ 2019 non-musical hit Clownwith Joaquin Phoenix’s second villain film taking things in a strange new direction. Despite being incredibly dark, Joker: Folie à Deux features all sorts of feel-good musical sequences, though it’s never clear what’s real and what’s on the titular clown’s mind.
Joker: Folie à Deuxvery similar Emilia Pérezsurprised 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 that element. Different Emilia Pérezhowever, the second Clown the film was much more critically divisive, with most viewers having drastically different thoughts after the film’s ending.
6
The Sisters Brothers
Directed by Jacques Audiard
Emilia Pérez was directed by Jacques Audiard, and viewers who loved his most recent film should check out some of his other work. Audiard’s most popular film before Emilia Pérez was released in 2018, being the western comedy The Sisters Brothers. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly, and Jake Gyllenhaal, the film follows the titular brothers as they are sent on an assassination job, only for things to turn out to be much more complex than they initially seemed.
The Sisters Brothers is tonally similar to Emilia Pérezhaving similar comedic moments mixed with incredibly dark scenes and a crime story. Furthermore, as it was directed by Jacques Audiard, many of the same directorial flourishes seen in Emilia Pérez can also be found at The Sisters Brothers.
5
A Prophet
Directed by Jacques Audiard
Director Jacques Audiard has also made slightly more straightforward crime dramas, like the 2009 film A Prophet. A Prophet follows a young Muslim man who is detained in a French prison. The protagonist soon finds himself under the protection of a powerful member of the prison mafia, which leads him to receive various tasks and quickly rise through the ranks of the prison’s criminal underworld.
A Prophet is undoubtedly Jacques Audiard’s most critically acclaimed filmbeing loved since it was released. Very similar Emilia Pérez, A Prophet features lots of deep social commentary and dark criminal action, making it perfect for fans of Emilia Pérez who want to see the Audiard range.
4
tangerine
Directed by Sean Baker
One of the objectives Emilia Pérez is to realistically explore the experience of being a trans woman, and while it succeeds in some ways, the multiple intersecting storylines and comedic beats can distract the film a bit. While there are many fantastic trans films, one of the most popular and critically acclaimed is Sean Baker’s 2015 film. tangerine.
tangerine is a comedy-drama that tells the story of a transgender sex worker who discovers that her boyfriend is cheating on her. Although the film is much smaller in scale than Emilia Pérezpresents similar themes and motifs. The film has been beloved since it was originally released, making it a great choice for any fan of films about the trans experience.
3
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Directed by Jim Sharman
The most notable thing about Emilia Pérez is that it’s an LGBTQ+ musical, and it’s all about the experience of being a trans woman. Although they are not that popular, Emilia Pérez is just the latest in a historic series of musicals made for the queer community. While there are many good examples, one of the most famous is the beloved horror-comedy musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the definition of a cult classic, whose popularity only grows every year. While the film hasn’t aged perfectly since it was released in 1975, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been praised as a landmark in queer media, clearly having strong LGBT influences. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is absolutely hilarious and features incredibly memorable characters, making it an annual Halloween watch for many fans.
2
Eccentric boots
Directed byJulian Jarrold
Another popular musical centered on the LGBTQ+ community is Eccentric boots, with the 2005 film being a great next choice for fans of Emilia Pérez. The film focuses on the world of drag, following the owner of a struggling shoe company as he decides to start selling shoes to drag queens and other erotic dancers.
Eccentric boots has been a popular musical since it was released, with Eccentric boots even being adapted into a theatrical production. While the Eccentric boots The film is not as beloved as the play, but it still received generally positive reviews, being one of the few major musicals centered on characters who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
1
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Directed by John Cameron Mitchell
Hedwig and the Furious Inch
- Director
-
John Cameron Mitchell
- Release date
-
July 20, 2001
- Cast
-
John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask, Theodore Liscinski, Rob Campbell, Michael Aronov
While some of the other entries on this list are musicals about the LGBTQ+ community, viewers specifically looking for another musical film that features a trans woman as the protagonist need look no further Hedwig and the Furious Inch. The film follows a German trans woman living in Kansas trying to become a rock sensation through her powerful music.
Although the film has some detractors, with some criticizing some elements of its depiction of the trans experience, Hedwig and the Furious Inch has received incredibly positive reviews since it was released in 2001. Criticisms of the film are similar to those leveled against Emilia Pérezbut fans of the 2024 film will likely find a lot to love in Hedwig and the Furious Inch also.