Why the Internet Hates This Year’s Most-Nominated Oscar Film

The internet is not thrilled about Emilia Pérez and its 13 Oscars nominations.

On January 23, the Academy announced the full list of nominees for the 97th Academy Awards. Although a number of worthy contenders are in the running for the top prize of Best Picture — including Wicked, Anora, The Brutalist, and The Substance — it looks like so is Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language French musical that follows Mexican drug cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón), who enlists the help of disgruntled lawyer Rita (Zoe Saldana) to help fake her death and transition into living as a woman with her wife Jessi (Selena Gomez).

For those who have yet to see it, Emilia Pérez may be more recognizable by this musical number from the film that’s making the rounds on socials:

I can’t even wrap my head around ‘Emilia Pérez’ getting THIRTEEN (13!!!) #Oscars nominations.

Quite possibly the worst movie ever (mid-scores from audiences & critics) to get double digit nominations. Baffling. pic.twitter.com/xbIwQnUgSM

— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) January 23, 2025

Since its release in late 2024, Emilia Pérez has been met with scathing reviews from moviegoers and critics alike. Viewers have questioned whether the film is actually good or not, criticizing its use of trans identity as a redemptive tool for a cartel leader, its regressive depiction of Mexican culture, and its just-plain-bad musical numbers (again, note “La Vaginoplastia”).

As usual, the internet has responded with outrage at the fact that Emilia Pérez received 13 Oscar nods, surpassing the 10 nominations for Wicked . We’ve rounded up some of the most entertaining reactions, from fans questioning the Academy’s choices to memes about the most-nominated Oscar contender of the year.