Instructions Not Included

Mix of comedy and tragedy in Mexican dad-daughter tale.
Parents say
Based on 4 reviews
Kids say
Based on 10 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Instructions Not Included
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Instructions Not Included -- which is primarily in Spanish with English subtitles, though some scenes are played in English -- is a blend of very funny and very sad. Viewers can expect everything from sexual farce and antic slapstick comedy (a stuntman falling from great heights and repeatedly slamming into a brick wall) to the profound love between a father and his little girl. Before he knows he has a daughter, the main character is a confirmed ladies' man; his sexual dalliances are comic and without nudity, though there's a smattering of cleavage, a few male "butt" shots, and lots of rolling around in bed. There are also fart jokes, a dog peeing on camera, occasional swearing ("f--k," "bulls--t," "damn"), and sexual references ("knocks her up," "damn cheap condoms," "you did it with your sister?"). A central character is a lesbian involved in a mature, loving relationship. Fear is a recurring theme (a little boy's fear of threatening wolves is played in flashback throughout; he's also shown at the mercy of a scorpion and being thrown over a cliff, though no one is severely injured during these episodes). Spoiler alert: During the final sequence, the movie takes a tragic turn that may be too disturbing for some, with the death of a major character.
Community Reviews
A lot of sentimentality and pratfall laughs
Report this review
No Instructions Needed!
Report this review
What's the Story?
In INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED (No se Aceptan Devoluciones), Valentin (Eugenio Derbez, a well-loved Mexican TV star who also directs) is a world class womanizer and beach bum living in Acapulco. Everything changes in an instant when Julie (Jessica Lindsey), an old fling, appears on his doorstep with an adorable baby girl. "Maggie" is his baby, Julie explains just before she walks away. Stunned, Valentin is totally unprepared and desperate, so he tracks Julie to Hollywood. But she's gone when he and Maggie get there; instead, in a chance moment of mistaken identity, Valentin is recruited as a movie stuntman. Years pass; the besotted dad, now a well-established movie professional, has created a magical world for his young daughter. Maggie (Loreto Peralta), now 7, is his sidekick, manager, and best friend. But soon all is at risk when Julie reappears and decides that she wants Maggie with her in New York City. A radical change of tone accompanies the profound crises that follow.
Is It Any Good?
This is an unorthodox, fanciful portrayal of the loving bond between father and daughter with moments of inspired animation and slapstick action that are combined with real human consequence. Valentin is both a clown and a tragic hero.
Though Instructions Not Included is too long, was made on a relatively small budget, and has some unabashedly melodramatic scenes, it's clear that Eugenio Derbez made a film that he hopes will bring forth a strong emotional response. For the most part, he succeeds. But families should know that (spoiler alert!) fear, separation, and death all play a part in Valentin's story. Despite the wonderful performances from father and daughter, it may simply be too scary or too sad for some viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss how facing fear is an important theme in Instructions Not Included. Did watching any of it trigger thoughts of your own fears? How can you best deal with things that you're afraid of?
Some films are thought to "manipulate the audience's feelings." What does this mean? What do you think the filmmakers want viewers to take away from this particular movie?
How does the movie portray sex/sexual relationships? There's a lot of sexual humor; does that affect the impact of the content?
This movie is a combination of many different film types/genres. What are they? What elements did you like best? What will you remember most?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 6, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: January 21, 2014
- Cast: Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey, Loreto Peralta
- Director: Eugenio Derbez
- Studio: Pantelion
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 115 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: sexual content, thematic elements, and language
- Last updated: February 1, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love movie dads
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate