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Hulu’s first Spanish-language television project,La Máquina, is a star-studded affair, serving as a reunion ofY tu mamá tambiénactors Gael Garcia Bernal (Werewolf by Night) and Diego Luna (Andor). Benefitting from the charm of its leads,La Máquinagets off to a strong start but flounders in the later rounds.
La MáquinaReview
La Máquinafollows an aging boxer as he jumps on his last chance to win a title, only for his final shot at glory to be threatened by health issues and a shady criminal underworld that gets in the way. It’s clear that writer Marco Ramirez (Daredevil,The Defenders) wants to defy expectations when it comes to the boxing drama, but the show does occasionally find itself falling into the trap of the genre’s tropes.
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The first episode teases an intriguing tone — a mix of a crime thriller and a psychological drama about the loss of oneself. Although neither storyline is particularly original, the combination of the two is compelling, especially when combined with an easy-to-root-for crowd-pleasing arc like an underdog story.
Director Gabriel Ripstein (Narcos) also takes an interesting approach to filming the genre, focusing less on the fights and more on the interior and emotional experiences of the characters. Even when the show has moments in the ring, Ripstein shows them more surreally, shooting them as transfixing dream sequences rather than the gritty, sports-centered approach we’re used to seeing in boxing films.
However,La Máquinasuffers from the feeling that so many “prestige” miniseries face — it’s a feature film stretched out to fill six episodes. As you get into the middle of the run, the episode lengths drop significantly, with episode 4 clocking in at under a half hour. Narratively, these sections also lose steam, repeating many of the same beats. Occasionally, the show manages to raise its stakes, but the lack of follow-through is like watching someone constantly make threats but never act on them.
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The character development isn’t particularly deep, either. We’ve seen all these characters dozens of times — the championship fighter reaching the end of his days in the ring, the manager/best friend whose vice threatens to tear them both down, and the wife who wants to be supportive but struggles to reconcile her husband’s choices.
Still, the series has a powerhouse duo in Luna and Bernal, makingLa Máquinaincredibly watchable even in its familiarity. Bernal isn’t doing anything we haven’t seen him do before (and better) — his performance inCassandroimmediately comes to mind as a more complicated, nuanced take on this archetype — but he has such a command of his craft that he can balance his screen presence with more quiet vulnerability.
Luna has the much more interesting role of the duo, playing a character that’s charming despite his unlikability. In many ways, Luna is channeling the same energy of protagonists like Adam Sandler inUncut Gems— sympathetically desperate people who keep making the wrong decisions. He brings the chaotic energy that the role demands.
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However, as good as Bernal and Luna are, it’s disappointing to see Eiza Gonzalez (Baby Driver,Alita: Battle Angel) almost completely wasted in her role. Her role is firmly supporting, but she doesn’t even get any show-stopping monologues to flex her chops. Her character and, in turn, her performance feel completely disposable and could have been filled by any Latina actress.
IsLa Máquinaworth watching?
Ultimately,La Máquinais a very watchable show, primarily because of solid performances by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal, but the back half of the show does not deliver on the promise of the first episodes. Nevertheless, fans of the two actors will be delighted to see them working together again.
La Máquinastreams on Hulu beginning October 9. Five out of six episodes reviewed.
La Máquina Review — Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal Fight to Save Middling Boxing Drama
Sean Boelman
Managing Editor for Film and TV
Articles Published :441
Sean is the Managing Editor for Film and Television, working to determine editorial strategy for the critics team. He has been on the FandomWire team since 2022.In addition to writing reviews himself, Sean helps match writers on the FandomWire team with assignments that best fit their interests and expertise.
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Diego LunaEiza GonzálezGael García BernalHulu
