Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bilingual horror comedy is unique and delightful.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Los Espookys
What's the Story?
Renaldo (Bernardo Velasco) and his friends have a unique talent for creating horror special effects that work in real life. After receiving some encouragement from his uncle Tico (Fred Armisen), Renaldo decides to pursue his dreams and create horror effects for a living. His first professional gig involves faking an exorcism, and when it goes well, other jobs begin to roll in. Renaldo and his team, LOS ESPOOKYS, must figure out how to work together creatively and juggle their passion for horror with the other demands of their day-to-day lives.
Is It Any Good?
While mature, this is a light comedy, but the fact that it's bilingual, takes place primarily in Mexico, and features a predominantly Latinx cast is significant. HBO frequently uses its less-prominent time slots for boundary-pushing comedies, and often they focus on topics or subcultures that don't typically get a lot of run on TV -- they made the right choice taking a chance on this quirky, singular series. Each episode has a lot of fun with whatever horror effects the team happens to be working on, but even beyond that it provides a subtle glimpse into Mexican culture and how a group of artists contends with the day-to-day practical realities of young adulthood. There's nothing else like Los Espookys being made for American audiences right now.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Los Espookys' horror effects. Why does the team love horror? Why do they want to create effects for a living? How do they go about pursuing their dream?
How does the team work together? How to they come up with ideas? Collaborate? Problem solve?
What are some of the differences between Mexico and America that you see on Los Espookys? What are the similarities? Does anything surprise you about day-to-day life in Mexico?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 14, 2019
- Cast : Cassandra Ciangherotti , Julio Torres , Ana Fabrega , Fred Armisen , Bernardo Velasco
- Network : HBO
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Arts , Fantasy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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