Ana Fabrega and Julio Torres’ implausible comedy follows a gaggle of associates who run a horror-for-hire enterprise, usually for the betterment of mankind.
Explaining “Los Espookys” in phrases might be as difficult as highschool pranksters on Halloween. Certain, writers may simply copy and paste HBO’s official synopsis — “a gaggle of associates flip their shared ardour for horror right into a peculiar enterprise, offering horror to purchasers who want it” — however studying that completely correct description is certain to elicit extra questions than solutions. What does “offering horror” imply? (It varies.) Who’re these purchasers? (Nearly everybody, from political leaders and celebrities to academics and gravediggers.) How can 4 associates make a dwelling in such a peculiar and explicit subject? (Don’t fear about it.)
Fortunately, Season 2 offers a typed out rationalization for us. Renaldo (Bernardo Velasco) is requested by his mom to contemplate hiring “the daughter of a lady I typically run into on the hair salon,” despite the fact that Los Espookys doesn’t want any additional assist. Nonetheless, they comply with an “interview,” and Moníca Martínez comes ready with a full Energy Level presentation. After laying out her background, Moníca asks the important thing query, and comes ready with a solution: “Who’re Los Espookys?” It seems the abstract doesn’t even require phrases. Los Espookys are…
🎃 + 🦇 + ?
A jack-o’-lantern. A bat. A query mark. These are the substances that make up “Los Espookys,” and even with out Moníca’s ensuing commentary — “you guys are so darkish, so bizarre, so artsy” — it’s clear she’s stumbled upon the right technique to summarize HBO’s wholly authentic and hysterically chic comedy: by not summarizing it in any respect. “Los Espookys” is finest as an expertise; an expertise as spooky and candy as its two illustrative emojis, however the query mark, whether or not it represents the present’s bigger mysteries or orchestrated unpredictability, is in-built to its make-up as nicely. Collectively, they type a present that might go wherever and does go all over the place, however that’s held in place by a guiding love for its winsome characters and their engaging enterprise of horror.
And jack-o’-lanterns. And bats.
Season 2 picks up within the aftermath of final 12 months’s telenovela twist, with Tati (co-creator, author, and director Ana Fabrega), not Andrés (co-creator and author Julio Torres), married to Juan Carlos (José Pablo Minor). The failed coupling of two successors to their respective empires — Juan Carlos is the descendant of cookie makers, and Andrés was set to inherit a chocolate firm, earlier than his refusal to wed angered his mother and father — has additionally created a silent tiff between co-workers, as Tati tries to emphasise her wifely accomplishments to her husband’s ex-boyfriend. However the steepest consequence to Andrés is that he’s homeless. Ousted from the mansion he was raised in, a chilly world of associates’ couches and additional roommates awaits the moneyed concept man.
He doesn’t reply nicely, however Andrés’ ongoing battle to adapt creates dozens of excellent jokes, both by way of his finest guesses at “strange” habits or Torres’ snooty reactions to middle-class society. In the meantime, Úrsula (Cassandra Ciangherotti) continues to be being chased by TV information producers intent on turning her into “the brand new Gregoria Santos,” whereas she tries to assist her sister, Tati, modify to married life. And Renaldo is haunted by visions of a useless magnificence pageant winner, whose repeated interruptions make it troublesome for him to assist the many individuals asking for his help. (Andrés, his finest pal, is staying with him, however there are quickly extra friends to accommodate.)
Horror gigs stay a spotlight in “Los Espookys” Season 2. The crew will get employed to create a pleasant classroom monster, stage a dig website with sexuality-defining human stays, and many extra. Every challenge illustrates how a lot might be achieved on a low finances with slightly ingenuity, each by the fictional Los Espookys characters and thru “Los Espookys” very actual and really proficient craftspeople. Their unconventional plans are pleasant to listen to, simply because the singular execution is a deal with to observe unfold.
Ana Fabrega and Cassandra Ciangherotti in “Los Espookys”
Pablo Arellano Spataro / HBO
The horror enterprise additionally accentuates the sequence’ benevolence. A few of Los Espookys’ purchasers are needy; they’ve nowhere else to show, or want the unimaginable to turn out to be attainable. However even for purchasers with egocentric motivations, the crew finds methods to make use of their skills for good. One job helps mourners discover peace. One other is harmless sufficient, however makes positive the correct events face their comeuppance. Mixing lighthearted duties with easy-to-root-for patrons makes it straightforward to smile by way of whole episodes, however Season 2 does lengthen itself past pure frivolity, ever so briefly.
Fed up with the (fictional) nation’s regressive president and sick of people who find themselves all too comfortable to do nothing, Úrsula units out to ensure the incumbent loses his upcoming election. “However Úrsula, politics don’t have an effect on me,” Andrés complains, shortly after she’s cat-called by development employees sporting sexist, governmental indicators. Such juxtapositions are made specific in “Los Espookys.” There’s no mistaking the destructive results a patriarchal ruling physique has on ladies like Úrsula, identical to there’s no manner Andrés can keep away from his complicity by way of ignorance. The season pits them on parallel tracks: one studying to tackle higher duty demanded of somebody who can see issues clearly and make a distinction, the opposite studying to simply accept the private duty thrust upon all of us, individually. Ultimately, their separate journeys come along with the remainder of the solid’s in methods each deliriously ludicrous and superbly organized.
“Los Espookys” is rarely preachy. Neither is it notably optimistic. However the will of its characters is nice, their bond to one another — and their work — is pure, and even in a world the place “Roma” star Yalitza Aparicio visitor stars because the precise moon(!!), the distinction between proper and unsuitable is apparent as day. “Los Espookys” could also be a troublesome present to outline, but it surely’s a simple present to understand.
Perhaps, simply possibly, 🎃 + 🦇 + ? = 🤣 ❤️ 🎭
Grade: A-
“Los Espookys” Season 2 premieres Friday, September 16 at 11 p.m. ET on HBO.