On Sunday (Jan. 5), Netflix’s Emilia Pérez won big at the 2025 Golden Globes. The musical crime comedy – starring Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón – took awards for best performance by an actress in a supporting role (Saldaña); best motion picture — non-English language; best original song — motion picture for “El Mal”; and best motion picture — musical or comedy.

Directed by Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez tells the riveting story of Mexican cartel boss Manitas del Monte (Gascón) who decides to retire from business and undergo gender-affirming surgery to become the titular character. The narrative is told via dramatical musical numbers – ranging from rock to rap and pop – that really capture the uniqueness of the film.

“The goal was that the music and the songs were linked to the story and deal with emotions,” French composer Clément Ducol, who alongside singer-songwriter Camille crafted the musical’s score, previously told Billboard. “That it wasn’t only music reflecting the story, but the music was the story.”

Ever since premiering at the Cannes Film Festival last year, Emilia Pérez has been quite unforgettable becoming the center of conversation on many fronts, including breaking records at awards shows – it became the most nominated comedy or musical film in Golden Globes history, and it leads nominations for the BAFTA Awards. Meanwhile, Gascón became the first openly trans actor to win a major award at the Cannes film festival.

But even with glowing reviews and its major success across award shows and film festivals, Emilia Pérez sparked controversy — including Selena Gomez’s Spanish in the film. In December, Gomez had to defend her role after her Spanish was criticized by Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez. “I did the best I could with the time I was given,” she said then.

Following Emilia’s big night at the Golden Globes, below are 10 things you should know about the film.