Musicals nominated for Best Picture are few and far between, but this year we have two of them to root for – Evil
and Emilia Perez
. While the former is a traditional Broadway musical adaptation, the latter combines the detective and thriller genres with a musical twist. Both are distinct, but if both are nominated for Best Picture – and it’s likely they both will – either will take home the coveted award or both will go home without it.
Of the two films, Emilia Pérez currently has the lowest score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 79% fresh rating (based on 187 reviews), while Evil has a 90% recent rating (based on 185 reviews). Leaving the score aside, Emilia Pérez set pieces of drama that Academy voters are accustomed to seeing in awards films; Evilon the other hand, it leans towards spectacle. The former may be removed from the spotlight, but that remains to be seen. We should be lucky that two musicals are in the running for Best Picture.
Wicked and Emilia Pérez stand out among other candidates for best film
Whatever problems you may or may not have with any of the films, Evil and Emilia Pérez stand out from the rest of the Oscar candidates. Evil is not only a beloved stage musical, but it’s poised to be a huge box office hit also. The show, the staging of the musical numbers and the cast were highly praised in several Evil critics and the public. It’s a musical about friendship, being inspired by others and doing what’s right. With the incorporation of strong music, costumes and visuals, Evil is one of the most memorable films in the Oscar race.
Right at the gate, Emilia Pérez proves to be a unique film. It’s a crime/suspense/musical that oscillates between a mix of genres and music styles. It’s definitely not what I expected when I first saw it. That might be enough to keep the buzz going, as other Best Picture contenders are more straightforward and not-so-unexpected dramas – perhaps except for Conclave – how Emilia Pérez. It has three strong actresses at the center of the story, and while it has been criticized for being somewhat thematically empty, it has a lot of talent and genre-defying beats.
Our opinion on Wicked and Emilia Pérez’s best picture chances
They each have their own obstacles to overcome
One of the only reasons I think Evil may struggle with Academy voters due to it being a two-part film. The film, as well as Duneit is not being marketed as a two-part film. It’s simply Evil – in the poster, trailers and other marketing materials – and yet Part Two will arrive in November 2025. It leaves your story unfinished and despite the musical ending with the standout song, “Defying Gravity,” which concludes Act I (on stage and in theaters), the film as a whole will be incomplete. This may affect how Evil tariffs.
Emilia Pérezon the other hand, it had strong reactions early on at film festivals like Cannes. Since then, it has played at several other festivals, with Zoe Saldaña being one of the main contenders for the Best Supporting Actress award. The initial buzz really seemed like it would take the crime musical over the finish line, but the film is somewhat hampered by being on Netflix. The streamer has had a plethora of films nominated for Oscars in recent years, including Best Picture, but has yet to claim the ceremony’s most coveted prize.
With the incorporation of strong music, costumes and visuals, Evil is one of the most memorable films in the Oscar race.
There is also the fact that Emilia Pérez has faced criticism and backlash, particularly regarding its main character’s trans representation and use of certain tropes. This could reduce the Netflix film’s popularity over time, enough to lose its chances of winning Best Picture. Musicals could be defeated by Conclave and anoraboth of whom are incredibly strong candidates and whose buzz is only growing even more. As it is, Emilia Pérez may have a better chance of winning simply because it’s a crime thriller, but Evil may surprise us all.