WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Emilia Pérez.
Netflix crime comedy musical Emilia Pérez features the best cinematic performance of Selena Gomez’s career as the unstoppable Jessi Del Monte. Directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone, The Sisters Brothers), the genre-bending film offers innovative musical numbers and choreography infused with a harrowing story about unfulfilled desires and regrets. The film is a loose adaptation of the 2018 novel Écoute by Boris Razon and is France’s official entry for Best International Film at the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 2, 2025.
The combined talents of Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez led the cast of Emilia Pérez. Emilia Pérez won the Jury Prize and the Best Actress Ensemble Award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festivalwhere it had its world premiere in May. Emilia Pérez The soundtrack is one of the film’s essential highlights, as well as the heart and soul of the tragic narrative. Although Emilia Pérez Set in multiple locations, the film was shot primarily in studios in Paris, France. At the end of Emilia Pérezthe worlds of Gascón’s titular protagonist and Gomez’s supporting character as the wife of the Manitas cartel boss collide in unexpected ways.
Selena Gomez’s performance in Emilia Pérez is her best yet
Jessi de Gomez is fierce and evocative in every frame
Selena Gomez plays the electric and unpredictable Jessi in Emilia Pérez, marking a new record for the talented singer and actress. Jessi is Manitas’ promiscuous wife, who Zoe Saldaña’s Rita has to manage and care for while Emilia undergoes several operations during her physical transition. Although Gomez has the shortest screen time of the film’s three actresses, she makes a strong, evocative impression in every frame in which she appears. She also has two original songs as part of the Emilia Pérez official soundtrack, one of which, titled “Mi Camino” is one of the main candidates for the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Gomez, 32, stands out as an actress on her hit Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012) after appearing in Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003), Zach and Cod’s Suite Lifeand (2006), and Hannah Montana (2007-2008). In addition to creating and collaborating on massive songs like “It Ain’t Me (with Kygo)”, “Wolves (with Marshmello)” and “Love You To Love Me”, Gomez has starred in several feature films, including Spring breakers (2012), Hotel Transylvania (2012), Neighbors 2: Sisterhood on the Rise (2016), and Dolitte (2020). She currently stars in the Emmy-winning comedy series Only murders in the building alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short.
This is the continuation of Selena Gomez’s Spring Breakers role we’ve been waiting for
Gomez hasn’t had a movie role this compelling since 2012
Gomez’s role as Jessi in Emilia Pérez It’s the boldest and most exciting role of her film career, which is arguably the exact kind of role the former Disney star needed. Gomez makes a completely convincing Jessi and feels like the best possible choice for the role. What is even more impressive is the fact that she only sings two songs on the soundtrack. It says a lot about Gomez’s performance that her acting skills make a stronger impression than her singing in a musical. Although she has had some notable performances in the past, Gomes has reached new heights as an actress in Emilia Pérez.
Before Emilia PérezGomez’s performance in the first A24 S filmSpring Breakers (2012) may still have marked the best performance of his career in a film. She certainly developed as an actress on the critically acclaimed series Only murders in the buildingwhich earned her her first Emmy nomination in 2024. Additionally, Gomez hasn’t generated much buzz around her previous film or television roles, but Emilia Pérez This has already started to change. While Spring Breakers featured Gomez as part of an ensemble, Emilia Pérez provided Gomez with a more distinct and compelling character that allowed him to flourish like never before.
Will Selena Gomez Get an Oscar Nomination?
She’s More Likely to Get a Golden Globe Nomination
Gomez Is Generating Supporting Actress Oscar Rumors for Emila Pérez. However, a nomination is probably the best she could achieve, given her outstanding performance. co-star Zoe Saldaña in the film, who is used much more than Gomez. Saldaña is currently Variety favorite for the 2025 Supporting Actress Oscar, followed by Saoirse Ronan in BlitzIsabella Rossellini in ConclaveDanielle Deadwyler in The piano lessonand Ariana Grande in Evil. She may have a better chance of getting a Golden Globe nomination in the Comedy or Musical category for Emilia Pérezwhich would be well deserved.