Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Parent death, some swearing in gentle Mexican dad-son tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Dad Quest
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When mom Alicia (Fernanda Castillo) dies suddenly in an accident, ex-husband Gallo (Michel Brown), a self-absorbed TV producer and absentee dad, is left in charge of their 10-year-old son Beni (Martino Leonardi) in THE DAD QUEST. But something Alicia said to Gallo in their last encounter has him questioning his own paternity. The doubt sends Gallo and Beni on a quest across Mexico and deeper into their own relationship.
Is It Any Good?
Even if you can predict the ending from a mile out, this film offers an enjoyable journey with likeable characters and a dose of emotion. The Dad Quest doesn't always hit the mark with its humor as pacing is sometimes just slightly off. But what it lacks in finesse it makes up for in warmth. Selfish careerist Gallo realizes his own inner need for genuine connection, allowing the character to shift quickly beyond a stereotype. A cluttered storage room serves as a metaphor for his own clearing out of misplaced priorities. He's the main character here, and the film thoughtfully handles the evolution of his affectionate rapport with 10-year-old Beni.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the film's title in English, The Dad Quest, can have a double meaning for the main characters. Which title do you think fits the story better: the English version or the Spanish original, Lo Mejor del Mundo (The Best in the World, also the name of Gallo's show)?
What lessons does Gallo learn over the course of the film?
Have you seen the Argentine film, Today We Fix the World, that was the original version of this story? What's changed and what has stayed the same? Why do people do remakes?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 9, 2025
- Cast : Michel Brown , Martino Leonardi , Mayra Hermosillo
- Director : Salvador Espinosa
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Mexican Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 83 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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