In a recent interview, Jack Seale provided his thoughts on the new series “La Máquina,” featuring Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna in a comedy thriller that starts strong but soon tapers off.
“This show had tremendous potential to be a laugh-out-loud comedy thriller,” Seale commented. “The chemistry between Bernal and Luna, who previously lit up the screen in ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien,’ is evident as they take on the roles of an aging boxing champion and his dubious manager. They excel at portraying characters who are both lovable and flawed.”
The debut episode certainly makes an impact, driven largely by Luna’s performance as Andy, a flamboyant and somewhat annoying character. “Andy is a total train wreck,” Seale remarked. “He’s hooked on cosmetic surgery – one character even dubs him ‘condom-faced’ – and he uses ‘asshole’ to describe just about everyone. His primary motivation seems to be chasing the next big payday, which only complicates his already chaotic personal life, especially with the family drama he’s dealing with.”
As for García Bernal’s character, Esteban “La Máquina” Osuna, Seale feels there’s a missed chance to delve deeper. “Esteban is depicted as a legendary boxer in decline. While Luna’s Andy is colorful and comedic, García Bernal’s performance lacks a similar energy. We first meet Esteban in a moment of despair as he transitions from a grand entrance to languishing in an ambulance, which sets a rather somber tone.”
As the story unfolds, Andy’s shady dealings start to emerge, pushing the narrative into thriller territory. “The introduction of a sinister organization pressuring Esteban to throw a pivotal match definitely ramps up the tension, but it feels like the plot begins to fray the deeper we dive,” Seale noted. “By the second or third episode, the pacing drags, with several storylines – particularly involving Irasema, played by Eiza González – feeling underdeveloped.”
Seale stressed that the lack of focus on certain key plot lines undermines the overall effect. “Irasema, an investigative journalist struggling with her marriage to Esteban, has immense potential, but her character often takes a back seat to Esteban’s mid-life crisis,” he explained. “The way the show addresses Esteban’s hallucinations becomes predictable, culminating in a heavy-handed flashback sequence that feels like a tired cliché.”
Amidst the turmoil, Seale expressed frustration with the show’s shift towards conspiracy elements. “There are times when characters are introduced only to meet abrupt ends, leaving viewers confused. It feels like the story is hitting random beats rather than developing a cohesive narrative.”
He wrapped up with a bittersweet reflection: “While the pilot bursts with energy and charm, ‘La Máquina’ struggles to keep that momentum, ultimately falling into a repetitive cycle. What started as a story full of promise becomes overwhelming, bogged down by too many threads that fail to enhance depth or connection.”
Fans can catch “La Máquina” now streaming on Disney+.
