Mariana di Girolamo
Ema
Overview
Ema is a magnetic and impulsive dancer in a reggaeton troupe. Her toxic marriage to choreographer Gastón is beyond repair, following a decision to give up on their adopted child Polo. She sets out on a mission to get him back, not caring who she’ll need to fight, seduce or destroy to make it happen.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Fire Dancer
I keep thinking about the way Mariana di Girolamo moves in Ema—not just the way she dances, but the way she burns. There’s a moment early in Pablo Larraín’s film where Ema, a reggaeton dancer in Valparaíso, Chile, is caught in the crossfire of a street protest. The camera doesn’t cut away.
It lingers on her face, half-lit by the flicker of flames, as she watches a car explode in slow motion. She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t run.
She just stands there, absorbing the heat, as if the chaos is something she’s been waiting for all along. That stillness—defiant, almost hungry—tells you everything you need to know about her. This is a woman who will set her own life on fire if it means she gets to choose how it burns.
Larraín has always been drawn to characters who collide with history, whether it’s the ad executives of No selling democracy like a soda brand or Jackie Kennedy turning grief into performance art. But Ema feels different. Less about institutions, more about the body.
Less about politics, more about the raw, electric charge of wanting something so badly it hurts. The film’s premise is deceptively simple: Ema and her husband, Gastón (Gael García Bernal), a choreographer, have given up their adopted son, Polo, after a traumatic incident. Now, Ema wants him back.
Not out of maternal guilt, not out of duty—but because she refuses to let anyone, not even herself, dictate the terms of her own life. As RogerEbert.com put it, di Girolamo’s performance is "one of the best of the year," and it’s easy to see why. She doesn’t just play Ema; she inhabits her, like a flame licking at the edges of the screen.
What makes Ema so unsettling—and so thrilling—is the way it treats desire as both a weapon and a wound. The film’s most talked-about sequence comes when Ema, in a bid to manipulate the system, seduces a police officer (Santiago Cabrera) who might help her reclaim Polo. The scene isn’t just about sex; it’s about power, about the way Ema uses her body as a tool, a distraction, a bargaining chip.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.6/10
"A visually striking but divisive drama that polarizes with its bold storytelling and unconventional narrative."
Viewers appreciate the film’s bold visual style and the intense performance by Mariana di Girolamo, which anchors the story’s emotional core. latestnetflix.com's view is that however, the fragmented storytelling and ambiguous plot leave many feeling disconnected, with some finding it pretentious or overly abstract for its own good.
What viewers praise
- Striking visuals The film’s vibrant cinematography and creative use of color are widely praised for creating a unique and immersive atmosphere.
- Mariana di Girolamo’s performance Her portrayal of Ema is described as magnetic and emotionally raw, carrying the film despite its narrative challenges.
- Bold storytelling Some viewers admire the film’s willingness to take risks and defy conventional storytelling norms.
Common complaints
- Fragmented narrative The nonlinear and disjointed storytelling frustrates many, making it difficult to follow or emotionally invest in the plot.
- Ambiguous plot The lack of clear resolution or meaning leaves audiences feeling unsatisfied or confused about the film’s intent.
- Polarizing tone Some find the film’s abstract and artsy approach pretentious, alienating those who prefer more straightforward storytelling.
Recommended for
Fans of experimental cinema Admirers of bold visual storytelling Viewers who enjoy ambiguous narratives Mariana di Girolamo enthusiasts Pablo Larraín’s filmography followers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsPablo Larraín’s Ema: The Fiery Dance Behind the Scenes
Pablo Larraín’s Ema (2019) is a film that burns as bright as the reggaeton beats and flames that define its aesthetic. Starring Mariana di Girolamo in the titular role, the Chilean drama follows a dancer navigating love, loss, and chaos after a fraught adoption unravels her life. latestnetflix.com's read is that but behind the film’s hypnotic visuals and explosive performances lies a production as unconventional as its protagonist.
A Return to Chile—and Risk
After the international success of Jackie (2016) and Neruda (2016), Larraín made a deliberate choice to shoot Ema entirely in Chile 
. The decision wasn’t just logistical; it was a creative reset. IndieWire had teased the project as a homecoming, and the director confirmed it was his first film shot in Chile since his earlier works . The move grounded the story in Valparaíso’s vibrant streets, where the film’s neon-lit reggaeton clubs and working-class neighborhoods become characters themselves.
Larraín co-wrote the screenplay with Guillermo Calderón and Alejandro Moreno, a collaboration that leaned into the film’s fragmented, almost improvisational style . The result? A narrative that feels as unpredictable as its lead, with Di Girolamo’s Ema oscillating between vulnerability and ferocity.
Mariana di Girolamo: The Breakout Star
Di Girolamo’s performance as Ema is the film’s beating heart—and her breakout role. The Chilean actress, born in 1990, had worked in television and theater but hadn’t headlined a major film before Ema . Her portrayal of a woman reclaiming agency through dance and destruction earned her widespread acclaim, with critics noting her fearless physicality and emotional range .
In an interview with RogerEbert.com, Di Girolamo and Larraín discussed the film’s themes of motherhood and liberation . While the snippet doesn’t reveal specifics, it hints at the intense collaboration between director and star—a dynamic that likely fueled the film’s raw energy. Rumor (unconfirmed) suggests Di Girolamo trained extensively in reggaeton and contemporary dance for the role, though no source in the evidence explicitly details her preparation.
Gael García Bernal: The Volatile Co-Star
Gael García Bernal, playing Ema’s husband Gastón, brings his signature charisma to a role that’s equal parts tender and toxic. The Mexican actor, a frequent collaborator with Larraín (No, 2012), reportedly embraced the film’s chaotic tone, though behind-the-scenes details are scarce . His chemistry with Di Girolamo crackles onscreen, particularly in scenes where their characters’ relationship fractures under the weight of their shared trauma.
A Divisive, Daring Resolution
Ema’s bold storytelling polarized critics. The Los Angeles Times called it a "combustible drama," praising its audacity but noting that its fragmented structure might exhaust some viewers . Rotten Tomatoes echoed the sentiment, describing the film’s premise as "exhausted" by its bizarre resolution . Yet, that divisiveness is part of Ema’s appeal—it’s a film that refuses to be tamed, much like its protagonist.
The TIFF Buzz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enCWsAA6w8A
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2019, where it sparked conversations about its provocative themes and visual style . A Q&A session with the cast and crew (available on YouTube) likely offered deeper insights, but the snippet doesn’t reveal specifics . What’s clear is that Ema left an impression—one that lingers long after the credits roll.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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