Between widespread criticism of the film itself and resurfaced tweets from its lead star, the Oscars front-runner has been marred by tons of controversy.

Is Emilia Pérez based on a true story? Is Emilia Pérez based on a true story? Emilia Pérez is not based on a true story. While it’s true that there are drug cartels in Mexico, and that many people die or disappear as a result of drug cartel violence,

The film stars Zoe Saldana as Rita, a lawyer forcibly recruited by a crime boss, Manitas, played by Karla Sofía Gascón, who wants to undergo gender-confirming surgery to become a woman. She emerges as Emilia Pérez, but will not give up a connection to her wife, Jessi, played by Selena Gomez, and her children.

Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language cartel musical has garnered a lot of buzz this Oscar season — good and bad. Here's everything to know about the 'Emilia Pérez' discourse.