It’s always exciting to see long-time friends and collaborators Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna share the screen.
Whether it’s in the acclaimed Y tu mamá también or the humorous Casa de mi Padre, their chemistry and shared history make for compelling viewing.
In La Máquina, Hulu’s first Spanish-language original series, they reunite once again, this time in the boxing world. The idea for this series was first conceived by the duo over a decade ago, and now, it has finally come to life.
While the concept originated from Bernal and Luna, it was written by Marco Ramirez, a screenwriter known for his work on hit shows like Sons of Anarchy, Orange Is the New Black, and Daredevil.
Ramirez, who also created The Defenders and the reboot of The Twilight Zone, brings his strong writing skills to the series.
This is not Ramirez’s first experience with boxing, as he previously wrote the award-winning play The Royale, showing his passion and deep understanding of the sport.
In La Máquina, boxing is not just a profession or sport but almost a character in its own right. It dominates the series, taking up every inch of the screen.
The direction by Gabriel Ripstein, who previously worked with Bernal on Here on Earth, adds another layer of depth, guiding viewers through the complex and unpredictable story Ramirez has created.
A Boxing Match With Consequences
La Máquina wastes no time, throwing audiences right into the pre-fight chaos as Esteban “La Máquina” Osuna (played by Gael García Bernal) prepares to face off against a younger, more skilled boxer. Esteban’s loss in the ring is the catalyst for a series of events that spiral out of control.
His best friend and manager, Andy Lujan (played by Diego Luna), is caught off guard by the aftermath, as both friends try to show a world filled with danger and corruption.
While wrestling is often understood to be scripted entertainment, boxing has a history of real-life scandals involving corruption and match-fixing, some as recent as 2018. This shady side of the sport forms the heart of the plot in La Máquina.
Andy pushes for Esteban to have a rematch to reclaim his title as champion, but a powerful, secretive organization resists their efforts.
This organization, pulling strings behind the scenes, has deadly consequences for everyone close to the two friends. The show goes into the dangerous underworld of boxing, showing how far corruption can reach and how it can affect even those with the best intentions.
Gael García Bernal’s Complex Performance
Gael García Bernal has long been an underrated talent in Hollywood. While his performance in Mozart in the Jungle brought him some attention, and his recent role in Cassandro earned critical acclaim, he has yet to fully break into mainstream recognition.
Last year, his portrayal of a gay wrestler in Cassandro was highly praised, and his role in Marvel’s Werewolf By Night was hailed as one of the best in the MCU in recent years. Now, in La Máquina, Bernal delivers another standout performance.
His character, Esteban, is a complicated man—he is the series’ heart and soul. Esteban is a boxer whose life in the ring has taken a toll on his personal life. His career has destroyed his marriage, led him down a path of addiction, and left his body broken.
Yet, despite all this, Esteban is determined to get back into the ring and prove himself once again. He is portrayed as boxing’s version of the “tortured poet” trope, a man driven by inner demons.
The series frequently shifts between the past and present, giving audiences a look inside Esteban’s mind, which is filled with regret, pain, and the desire for redemption.
Bernal’s portrayal of these highs and lows makes Esteban a deeply compelling character, and his performance is one of the strongest aspects of the show.
Diego Luna’s Surprising Turn as Andy Lujan
Diego Luna’s character, Andy Lujan, offers a very different perspective from Esteban’s. The last time Luna graced television screens, he was leading a rebellion against the Empire in Andor.
In La Máquina, he’s fighting entirely different battles—ones involving his personal life and career. Andy is a slick, flashy manager who cares more about appearances than genuine relationships.
From the moment we meet him, it’s clear Andy is someone who hides behind a carefully crafted image.
In one of the first scenes, we see him preparing for the day: he puts on a hairpiece, plumps his lips with injections, and covers himself in self-tanner, all to project a picture-perfect persona.
He struts around in luxurious clothes, living in a lavish house, but beneath all of this, he is a deeply insecure man. While Esteban struggles with his own personal issues, Andy is just as flawed, though in a different way.
He is not only a bad manager, but he’s also a terrible friend. His selfishness and obsession with success cloud his judgment, and throughout the series, it becomes clear that he treats Esteban with indifference.
One of the major subplots in the series focuses on Andy and his wife, Carlota, as they try to start a family. Even though Andy clearly cares for her, their relationship feels more like another part of his public image. Carlota is a piece in Andy’s puzzle, a part of the persona he’s trying to maintain.
Their marriage never feels like an equal partnership, and this imbalance is highlighted by the way Andy’s relationships are portrayed throughout the series. The women in La Máquina, particularly in Andy’s life, often feel like they exist solely to serve the men around them.
This dynamic is especially clear in the case of Andy’s mother, Josefina (played by Lucía Méndez), who is a constant thorn in his side. Josefina is a stereotypical “overbearing mother” who meddles in every part of Andy’s life, often making things worse.
Eiza González’s Underused Role
Eiza González plays Esteban’s ex-wife, Irasema, a journalist investigating the corruption within the boxing world. Despite her being a central character, the series struggles to give her the attention she deserves. González is an incredibly talented actress, but her role in La Máquina is underused.
Irasema’s storyline feels secondary, even though she is involved in uncovering the dark truths behind the sport. At times, her investigation is one of the most compelling parts of the show, but it’s frustratingly overshadowed by the drama surrounding Esteban and Andy.
Instead of focusing on Irasema’s gritty and important work, the series often reduces her character to being concerned about Esteban’s health and behavior. Even though the writing tells us that Irasema is strong and independent, she rarely gets the opportunity to show that on screen.
This one-dimensional portrayal leaves viewers wanting more from González’s character, especially considering her potential to add depth to the story.
Pacing and Structure Issues in La Máquina
While La Máquina has a lot of strong elements, its pacing is one of its biggest flaws. The series is made up of six episodes, which feels like the right length for the story it’s trying to tell.
However, the show struggles to balance its ensemble cast, and with such a limited runtime, some characters don’t get the development they deserve.
The stakes in the story are high, but without enough time to flesh out these characters, it’s hard to feel deeply invested in what happens to them.
Each episode follows a similar structure, with the first twenty minutes reacting to the events of the last few minutes of the previous episode. This pattern worked well in traditional week-to-week TV shows, but in today’s streaming world, where audiences often binge entire seasons in one sitting, it feels repetitive.
The pacing makes the series feel like a rollercoaster with a few sharp drops, but not enough build-up. The show relies on shocking moments to hook the audience, but this tactic doesn’t always pay off.
By the penultimate episode, there are still many loose ends to tie up, and it’s unclear whether the final episode will be able to address them all.
La Máquina Stands Out As a Bold New Project
Despite its flaws, La Máquina is a bold move for Hulu. It’s not an IP-driven show, nor is it based on real events. Instead, it’s a completely original story, created by a passionate team of filmmakers who care about the world they’ve built.
Shows like La Máquina are important because they challenge the idea that art needs to have a pre-existing audience or built-in fanbase to succeed.
The series takes risks, and although not every risk pays off, it’s refreshing to see something that feels different from the usual streaming fare.
The chemistry between Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna is one of the show’s biggest strengths, and their performances alone are enough to draw viewers in.
La Máquina may have its issues, but the unfolding mystery and dynamic performances make it a series worth watching. Even if it stumbles along the way, the journey is one that viewers will want to see through to the end.
La Máquina premieres with all six episodes on October 9 on Hulu.
