By Jason Osiason

EMILIA PEREZ
Ugly crying over Emilia Pérez wasn’t on my itinerary, but here we are! This bold, ridiculous, and deeply emotional film tackles a spectrum of subjects: romance, redemption, human rights, and gender identity, melding them with a European telenovela flair that’s daring and deliciously over-the-top. The film follows Manitas Del Monte, a hardened cartel boss who becomes Emilia, undergoing a physical and spiritual transformation to live as her true self. Karla Sofía Gascón is phenomenal, bringing a raw vulnerability to Emilia that hits hard, while Zoe Saldaña’s Rita, the high-powered lawyer, grounds the film with an emotional intensity that captures every nuance of their complex bond.

And Selena Gomez? Absolutely blew me away. She strips away all traces of her celebrity persona and gives us Jessi, Emilia’s estranged wife, in a way that feels authentic, committed, and a far cry from her usual roles. The musical numbers are lavishly staged, a beautiful complement to the themes of freedom and transformation. The soundtrack is packed with genre-bending tunes that elevate each moment, giving Emilia Pérez an energy that feels vibrant, unique, and emotionally resonant.

Sure, the film doesn’t always know exactly what it wants to be. It swings from cartel thriller to soap opera to human rights PSA, but that’s also part of its charm. Some storylines felt shortchanged, and I sometimes wished it would slow down to let those emotional beats breathe. But, honestly, I didn’t mind. The whole thing feels like a heightened telenovela with an elevated, artistic twist, and it’s all the better for its audacious style. Emilia Pérez is a definite awards contender, delivering a satisfying, genre-defying spectacle that stays with you. [B+]

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BIRD
Andrea Arnold’s Bird is a gloriously introspective coming-of-age story and a true standout at TIFF. Loved it. The film beautifully captures the struggle of reclaiming identity amidst the chaos of life, set in Arnold’s familiar gritty landscapes with seamlessly integrated mystical elements. At its core, it follows Bailey, a 12-year-old navigating the harsh realities of living in the slums with her reckless father, Bug. Barry Keoghan is extraordinary as Bug, portraying a young single parent burdened by the constraints of poverty and the pressures of raising a family. His character is riddled with reckless qualities but defies the stereotype of a “bad parent” by bringing a warmth beneath his toxic exterior, showing an undeniable devotion to his children.

Keoghan’s performance is a revelation, adding a fresh new shade to his repertoire and bringing a rugged, complex father figure to life. His portrayal feels lived-in and authentic, capturing both the flaws and fierce love of a character caught in the cycle of survival. This layered performance absolutely deserves to be in the Supporting Actor conversation, making Bird a captivating, haunting, and brilliantly executed exploration of resilience and identity. [A-]

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THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE
The Girl with the Needle is a gorgeously crafted psychological fable where dread seeps through the atmosphere like wet paint, clinging to every moment and intensifying with each scene. Centering on a pregnant factory worker ensnared in the illicit adoption market, her journey unspools like a feverish nightmare, haunted by the violence and desperation surrounding her. The film’s titular sequence is unforgettable, blending deeply discomforting imagery with a hauntingly evocative score that amplifies the tension to a near breaking point, capturing the bleakness and underlying horror of her world.

The film’s narrative unravels with a stark simplicity, as the protagonist’s reality blurs into a hypnotic maze of fear and longing. The visuals are striking, almost dreamlike, capturing both the bleakness of her environment and the growing sense of horror that builds and lingers. Although the ending might feel too direct for the otherwise atmospheric buildup, The Girl with the Needle captivates with its relentless psychological tension, offering an unsettling yet engrossing experience that leaves its mark long after the credits roll. [B+]