Queen of Coal Ignites Backlash on Netflix, With Pedro Pascal’s Sister Lux Pascal at the Center

Lux Pascal is about to be front and center on Netflix in a true-story drama about a trans woman who wants to work in a Patagonia coal mine. Yes, that premise is going to get reactions. It already has. Here is what the movie actually is, who Lux is, and why you are going to see it in your Netflix row this month.

The movie

'Queen of Coal' is a Spain–Argentina co-production directed by Agustina Macri. Lux Pascal plays Carlita Antonella Rodriguez, a real trans woman who grew up dreaming of doing a job her town considered strictly for men: mining. Patagonia has long carried folklore that women in mines bring bad luck. Carlita pushed through that wall and became the region's first openly trans miner. The film tracks that fight against superstition and old-school gatekeeping.

Release rollout

The movie already played theatrically overseas: Spain got it on June 12, 2025, and Argentina followed on October 2, 2025. Netflix is now taking it worldwide on December 19, 2025.

The reaction so far

Because the internet is the internet, the trailer and synopsis sparked a quick pile-on from the usual culture-war corners. Conservative accounts dragged both Lux Pascal and Netflix for pushing LGBTQ+ stories, mocked the idea of anyone dreaming of coal mining as a career, and tossed out the standard 'I canceled Netflix years ago' replies. Posts from users like Steve Guest, MAGA G-Mom T 1776, P.S. Power, GH HILL, and The Buzzing Fly made the rounds on December 8–9, 2025.

On the other side, LGBTQ+ advocates and allies have been enthusiastic about the film's focus and its lead performance. SceneMag highlighted a comment that gets at the core of why people are excited:

'Representation matters. Carlita's story is a reminder that trans people belong everywhere - including spaces society has long tried to exclude them from.'

Who is Lux Pascal?

Lux is Pedro Pascal's younger sister, by 17 years. Born in California as Lucas Balmaceda, she moved to Chile when she was 3. She came out publicly as a trans woman in 2021, taking the name Lux Balmaceda Pascal. After serious stage work and training, she graduated from Juilliard in 2023 and kept building a career on both stage and screen. Early TV roles included 'Los 80' and the soap 'Juana Brava', followed by her film debut in 2016. U.S. viewers likely know her from 'Narcos', where she appeared as Elijah opposite Pedro.

Lux has spoken openly about her transition and surgery, saying she is proud and grateful to be living as her authentic self. Pedro has had her back publicly and privately. He posted a Spanish magazine profile of Lux on Instagram with the caption: 'Mi hermana, mi corazon, nuestra Lux' — which translates to 'My sister, my heart, our Lux'.

Why people are bringing up 'Emilia Perez'

Another recent Netflix title, 'Emilia Perez', became a lightning rod this year: Karla Sofia Gascon plays a cartel boss who pursues gender-affirming surgery and a new life. The film picked up awards but drew heavy controversy on the Oscars trail. The backlash intensified when old tweets from Gascon resurfaced with racist and offensive remarks about Muslims, diversity in the Oscars, the Holocaust, and George Floyd (reported by Variety). The movie also caught flak for surface-level handling of Mexican culture; cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto told Deadline the production overlooked basic local details — down to the wrong signage in a jail scene — and questioned why the team did not bring on Mexican department heads or consultants. Director Jacques Audiard has admitted he did not go deep on the culture. Naturally, some viewers are hoping 'Queen of Coal' avoids those missteps.

• Director: Agustina Macri
• Star: Lux Pascal as Carlita Antonella Rodriguez
• Based on: The real first openly trans miner in Patagonia
• Production: Spain–Argentina co-production
• Theatrical releases: Spain (June 12, 2025), Argentina (October 2, 2025)
• Netflix release: December 19, 2025 (global)

Bottom line: the premise sounds unusual — that is kind of the point. It is a character story about who gets to do the work they want to do, in a place that says they cannot. We will see how it lands when it hits Netflix on December 19.