A Salma Hayek-produced Max show has debuted with a Bridgerton-worthy Rotten Tomatoes score after just one episode has premiered on the streamer. The popular Netflix series was a major hit for the platform when it premiered in 2020, telling a dramatic romance story pulling from the Regency era. All three seasons of the show have since made it onto the list of Netflix's Top 10 most popular English TV series of all time, with Bridgerton season 4 now hotly anticipated. Since it became a hit, other streamers have seemingly been trying to capitalize on its success.
Similar shows have been released by different streaming platforms in the last few years, such as Apple TV+'s The Buccaneers and Prime Video's My Lady Jane. The success of similar Regency-inspired series has been mixed, with Prime Video's show getting axed after season 1, while The Buccaneers season 2 has been confirmed. This tossup of different successful shows means it's never clear what will and won't become a hit. But for Max, it seems their newest, similar show could be a good sign on the platform.
Like Water For Chocolate Is Getting Major Praise After Just One Episode
The Novel Adaptation Is Already Proving Itself As A Potential Hit
Produced by Hayek, Like Water for Chocolate is a Spanish TV adaptation of the 1989 novel of the same name by Laura Esquivel. The show follows the story of two star-crossed lovers, Tita (Azul Guaita) and Pedro (Andres Baida), as a family tradition threatens the potential happiness the pair could share in their lives. The book was previously adapted into a 1992 movie, which received critical acclaim upon release, getting nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film that year. The story is a beloved one that, adapted by Max, would need to captivate critics to be worthwhile.
Luckily, Like Water for Chocolate is getting Bridgerton levels of praise after just one episode has aired, earning a 100% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes with six ratings overall. With some comparisons and contrasts being made to the successful Netflix series, reviews praise the show for its themes and performances, alongside the use of symbolism and magical realism in its storyline. With episode 1 having just been released on Sunday, the series is only just getting started with an impressive groundwork already laid.
Our Take On Like Water For Chocolate's Critical Success
Can The Show Rival Bridgerton?
The Spanish-language series has only just begun, but so far, its critical success indicates it's a worthwhile successor to Bridgerton while waiting for season 4. Although the series is going to have many more mystical elements to it than the Netflix show, these will help differentiate it from the series, carving out a niche entirely its own in the process. With the miniseries still ongoing for some time to come, these early reactions are a positive sign of how Like Water for Chocolate will evolve.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
