movie review of chupa

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The titular beast buddy in “Chupa” is irresistible. Just you try and not to love this puppy-cat with wings, who coos, chitters, and sometimes purrs when he’s not unleashing those bashful eyes. And when Chupa flaps his wings while learning to fly, sometimes we can see their rainbow-colored gloss. Chupa is good PR for a character usually defined by goat killing and sharp fangs, a far cry from the previous movie images of Mexico's mythical el chupacabra.   

Chupa is also one of the only original ideas from this generic family film and exercise in CGI character-making from director Jonás Cuarón . Such a lack of ambition would be less glaring had Cuarón not previously co-written “ Gravity ” with his father, Alfonso Cuarón . Little in this movie, written by Sean Kennedy Moore , Joe Barnathan , and Marcus Rinehart , suggests a similar sci-fi imagination. But there are plenty of references to things of the past: a John Williams-esque score from Carlos Rafael Rivera and a few cameos from “ Jurassic Park ” merchandise in the movie’s 1990s setting. “Chupa” willfully becomes one of those family films that takes plenty from the toy box of cliches left before and hardly gives anything back.  

The boy who initially discovers the movie’s secret creature—sought after by forces of capitalism and science—is Alex ( Evan Whitten ), a loner kid who is bullied by his white classmates in Kansas City. Alex is sent down by his mother (his father died of cancer, a plot point) to Mexico to hang with his former luchador grandfather (Demián Bechir) and his two cousins Luna ( Ashley Ciarra ) and Memo ( Nickolas Verdugo ). But Alex would rather play with his Game Boy, and the language barrier discourages him. Little by little, in one lightly sweet scene after the next, Alex’s hosts get him to try Mexican food, experiment with fireworks, and even learn how to be a luchador, like his father once was.  

Enter Chupa, also on his lonesome, looking for somewhere to belong. He’s being hunted by a tenacious poacher played by Christian Slater , and it’s revealed to us through the movie’s typical expository dialogue that Chupa will have great economic value once captured. Chupa finds his way to the family’s ranch home, and finds a friend in Alex—in one bonding moment, Chupa even shares his food with Alex, a squished rat. Chupa’s presence accelerates Alex’s own emotional story, and the two outsiders learn to stand up for themselves, bolstered by the power of family.  

Part of the movie’s supposed charm is that it’s predictable, with Cuarón mistaking familiar with cute and warm. When it comes to a wash like this movie, maybe it helps to consider what it doesn’t have compared to other animal buddy adventures. There isn’t a sequence where Chupa helps him defeat some bullies, where Chupa skateboards, or a scene where Chupa dances in a McDonald’s . But this list nudges a different problem—this overly simplified story also doesn’t make much room for connectivity. There isn’t a whole lot of time for us to feel their bond or for us to see how Chupa is him, and he is Chupa, etc. “Chupa” can be cute on cue, but its emotional tissue is thin.  

Cuaron is working with very modest set-pieces here, and the small cast is good enough at trying to make Chupa’s make-up of zeroes and ones seem real. It’s a good grab for Cuarón that he has Bechir in particular, who fills cliche emotional scenes and weak thrilling sequences which as much heart and bluster as he can—he puts a sincere smile on moments when talking about his past as a luchador, and then pounds his chest when it’s time for the day to be saved. Bechir fares better than Slater, who merely labors to portray “dastardly” in a course of events that can be predicted beat-by-beat.  

It’s a shame that this well-meaning movie is often so rote, especially as it boasts an intriguing eye from Cuarón, and cinematographer, Nico Aguilar . The two create many flowing sequences with the camera moving between shot styles without cutting, allowing dialogue scenes to go between close-ups and wide shots in one take. It’s a smart way to hold our attention from start to finish in scenes where the script’s dialogue pretends kids can’t handle a little nuance. There’s even a little homage to the famous shot from 1927's "Wings," though that too is a mini spectacle that sells itself short.  

Now playing on Netflix. 

Nick Allen is the former Senior Editor at RogerEbert.com and a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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Film Credits

Chupa (2023)

Demián Bichir as Chava

Evan Whitten as Alex

Christian Slater as Richard Quinn

Ashley Ciarra as Luna

Nickolas Verdugo as Memo

Adriana Paz

Gerardo Taracena

Julio Cedillo as Dr. Juan Carlos Ortega

• Jonás Cuarón
• Dan Zimmerman

Director of Photography

• Nico Aguilar
• Marcus Rinehart
• Joe Barnathan
• Sean Kennedy Moore
• Brendan Bellomo

Executive Producer

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‘Chupa’ Review: A Terrifying Myth Made Cuddly

On a trip to his grandfather’s ranch in Mexico, a boy makes an astonishing discovery that turns into a family adventure.

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By Concepción de León

Alex is an outcast at his school in Kansas City — for the picadillo he brings for lunch (“It’s just hamburger meat,” he tells one bully), for the video games he plays, and for apparently being the only Mexican kid in the lunchroom.

At home, Alex (Evan Whitten) reacts by rejecting Mexican cuisine and refusing to learn Spanish. When his mother reminds him that he is heading to Mexico to visit his grandfather over spring break, he groans. But the trip surprises him, in no small part because of the adorable mythical creature, a baby chupacabra, he encounters in his grandfather’s barn.

Inspired by the Latin American legend of the bloodsucking creature, “Chupa,” directed by Jonás Cuarón, makes a family adventure out of a traditionally horrifying subject. Set in the late 1990s, the film follows Alex, his grandfather Chava (Demián Bichir), a former lucha libre champion, and his cousins Memo (Nickolas Verdugo) and Luna (Ashley Ciarra) as they try to protect Chupa from capture by an American scientist, Richard Quinn (Christian Slater). All the while, Alex learns to accept and embrace his roots.

Though the characters are charming and well-defined, it’s hard to become invested in their story lines because their relationships are not given enough time to develop. The stakes do not feel high enough, with Quinn seeming more like a cartoon villain than a true menace (it’s not clear what exactly he plans to do with Chupa). And though the concept is promising, and some moments are tender, one wishes the film had delved deeper into the chupacabra myth and the characters’ stories to make for a more satisfying watch.

Chupa Rated PG. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes. Watch on Netflix .

Concepción de León is a writer and book editor based in New York. More about Concepción de León

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Common sense media reviewers.

Fantasy adventure has mythical beasts, peril, life lessons.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Heritage is something to be proud of. Cultural dif

Memo and Luna immediately embrace their English-sp

The film is set in Mexico, where a young boy being

The full-grown chupacabra, which feeds off the blo

"Hell," "heck," "stupid," "scoundrel," and "loser.

1990s-era brands are glimpsed or mentioned, like t

Parents need to know that Chupa is a fantasy adventure set in 1990s Mexico directed by Jonás Cuarón (Alfonso's son) that focuses on a child of immigrants learning to appreciate his heritage and culture. Expect some violent and potentially frightening scenes, as well as themes of family, love, and loss…

Positive Messages

Heritage is something to be proud of. Cultural differences should be celebrated. Speaking two languages is better than one. It's important to process grief and try to move on from loss. Family cares for family. Wild animals deserve preservation and care, not capture and destruction.

Positive Role Models

Memo and Luna immediately embrace their English-speaking cousin as part of the family. Chava is protective of his grandkids, as they are of him. They're all kind to and protective toward the abandoned chupacabra cub. Chava tries to help Alex process the grief of losing his father. Alex learns to be proud of his roots. Backed by profit-driven investors and a belief they can help humanity by capturing and harnessing power from the chupacabras, scientists risk lives in their pursuit.

Diverse Representations

The film is set in Mexico, where a young boy being raised in the United States by Mexico-born parents is sent for spring break to get to know his extended family better. There, he learns about various aspects of Mexican culture, including specific kinds of food, entertainment, and modern legends like the chupacabra. He learns to appreciate his heritage and second language, rather than be ashamed of them, as he has been back home in his all-White Kansas City school. He's bullied by White classmates for being different, called "taquito" and teased for the Mexican food he brings for lunch. He and his Mexican family members speak to each other in a mix of Spanish and English.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

The full-grown chupacabra, which feeds off the blood of goats like a vampire, is depicted as a scary creature with retractable claws and wide wings, capable of stopping a moving vehicle. When scientists try to capture an adult chupacabra, the beast beats them back, knocking several people over. When it's hit by a car, it has to abandon its cub in the wild. References to a child's parent dying of cancer. They are also bullied and called names at school for being different (and Mexican). In one scary scene, they are attacked by a lion and nearly fall to their death. A grandparent has dementia and sometimes gets lost. Old footage of lucha libre wrestling shows people being knocked out in the ring. Reference to someone being thrown to the ground in a long-ago fight that left them in a coma with a skull fracture. A grandparent fights with their grandchild to teach them a lesson, but ends up getting hurt themselves. A scientist chases and threatens a group of people with a taser, and shoots tranquilizer darts at the chupacabras.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

"Hell," "heck," "stupid," "scoundrel," and "loser."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

1990s-era brands are glimpsed or mentioned, like the Beastie Boys, Jurassic Park, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pac Man. Also: Nike, Jansport, VW, Game Boy, Walkman, Mexicana, and various news outlets.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Chupa is a fantasy adventure set in 1990s Mexico directed by Jonás Cuarón ( Alfonso 's son) that focuses on a child of immigrants learning to appreciate his heritage and culture. Expect some violent and potentially frightening scenes, as well as themes of family, love, and loss. The main character, Alex (Evan Whitten), lost his father to cancer and is dealing with grief. He's also bullied at school for being "different" (read: Mexican). In Mexico, his grandpa Chava ( Demián Bichir ) has dementia that the doctor says is progressing rapidly, and sometimes he goes missing. Alex is caught up in an adventure involving the discovery of an abandoned cub of an elusive, if not mythical, creature, the chupacabra. A group of scientists -- one of whom is played by Christian Slater -- are trying to capture the creature for their own profit and ostensibly to help humanity. They shoot tranquilizer guns at the creatures and chase them and the humans into perilous situations. But the creatures fight back. In one scene, Alex is nearly attacked by a lion and falls off a collapsing bridge into a deep canyon. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (10)
• Kids say (3)

Based on 10 parent reviews

Watch it! Kids will love it

Several scenes require subtitles, what's the story.

In CHUPA, 13-year-old Alex (Evan Whitten) is being raised by his Mexico-born mom in 1990s Kansas City. His dad recently passed away, and Alex is the target of bullies at school for being shy, and for being Mexican. Against his wishes, he's sent to Mexico to spend spring break with his extended family, including grandpa Chava ( Demián Bichir ), younger cousin Memo (Nickolas Verdugo), and older cousin Luna (Ashley Ciarra). He bonds with his cousins and discovers his grandpa was a famous wrestler who is now experiencing memory loss. One day Alex finds a strange creature on his grandfather's property. It's a chupacabra, a cub of the legendary creature. Meanwhile, scientist Richard Quinn ( Christian Slater ) is on the hunt for the cub and its family, hoping to harness their powers, and he'll stop at nothing to capture his prey.

Is It Any Good?

Jurassic Park meets E.T. and Gremlins in this sweet but imperfect Mexico-set kids adventure. Though Netflix has encountered some online teasing for the movie's title, which can have sexual connotations in Spanish, Chupa in the film is the innocent nickname a child gives to the cub of the legendary figure of the goat-blood-sucking chupacabra. The magic of the pink-and-blue feathered creature is one of the film's strengths, especially the adorable moments of boy-beast bonding. Chupa's parents might be fearsome, but the cub looks and sounds like a huggable stuffed animal. Charming scenes show Alex tearfully singing Chupa a lullaby his own deceased dad used to sing to him and telling the creature he doesn't have to be alone anymore -- "I'll be your family" -- and Chupa harnessing his own powers to save Alex.

The film's themes of love, loss, and family are layered into a tale of a first-generation Mexican American middle-schooler learning to appreciate his roots, a uniqueness that makes him an outcast back home. Veteran Bichir and newcomers Ciarra and Verdugo make an appealing family unit. A lot of worthwhile messages are delivered here, and some unique cultural aspects are highlighted, like the masked, acrobatic wrestling phenomenon of lucha libre. Mexican American audiences in particular may appreciate the celebration of Mexican culture seen through the eyes of a boy raised in the United States, as well as the mix of Spanish and English in the script. That said, there's nothing subtle in the way the film sets up and resolves the personal issues of the main character, nor in what he learns of Mexico. Though Slater appears to be having a ball, his bad guy scientist feels like an amalgam of other characters we've seen before on screen.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the violence and peril in Chupa . Did the fantasy elements reduce the impact? If so, why? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

Why did Alex reject his Mexican culture at the start of the movie? Did you understand his feelings? What did he learn during his visit to Mexico that seemed to change his attitude? What role did communication play in this change?

Talk about the legend of the chupacabra. Had you heard about it before? What other mythical creatures can you think of?

Did you think Quinn crossed a professional line in his pursuit of the chupacabra, or was he just doing his job? Were his intentions good or did he have other motivations?

The film is set in the 1990s. Where did you see the time period reflected in the movie?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : April 7, 2023
• Cast : Evan Whitten , Christian Slater , Demian Bichir
• Director : Jonas Cuaron
• Inclusion Information : Latino directors, Latino actors, Middle Eastern/North African actors
• Studio : Netflix
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship , Horses and Farm Animals , Middle School , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
• Character Strengths : Communication
• Run time : 95 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : some action, peril and thematic elements
• Last updated : August 25, 2023

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.

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Chupa Reviews

Chupa is very well put together, nicely filmed and performed, pays homage to Spielberg early and often – and will engross the children on the couch for 95 minutes, no worries at all.

Full Review | Apr 18, 2023

The film is harmless fun handled well enough thanks to the young cast, solid work from Bichir, and this cuddly winged beast.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Apr 16, 2023

While Chupa has a lot of heart and a touching bond between the kids and the creature, it falls short in terms of delivering consistent thrills.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 14, 2023

Chupa is not a perfect or even near-perfect film, but its genuine charm and attempt at being culturally-nuanced make it a film worth watching.

Full Review | Original Score: 6.5/10 | Apr 13, 2023

Mexican American audiences in particular may appreciate the celebration of Mexican culture seen through the eyes of a boy raised in the United States, as well as the mix of Spanish and English in the script.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 12, 2023

The characters in “Chupa” are likable and memorable, with a fun dynamic. And Cuarón... creates a rich sense of place here, encouraging the viewers to come to love Mexico as much as Alex eventually does.

Full Review | Apr 11, 2023

While there’s nothing new to the story of a child befriending a mythical creature and protecting it from evil adults, Chupa introduces this heartwarming trope to a new generation. And it does a great job with it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 11, 2023

Cuarón provides more than just a copycat. It's a soaring adventure film that provides the kind of entertainment for the whole family that has recently been farmed out to franchises.

Full Review | Apr 10, 2023

Despite having a recognizable cast and a promising plot, the film's execution fails to convey a memorable or transcendental experience. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Apr 10, 2023

An uneven and somewhat generic film, but it can be appreciated that it is made with honesty and innocuousness. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 10, 2023

While Chupa may not be perfect, it does offer plenty of cheer-inducing moments. With this much heart, it’s no wonder that Netflix continues to platform fun adventure films for younger audiences.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Apr 8, 2023

You find yourself wondering if it restrains its more unique aspects by going one cliché too far, unable to see the depth of its young heroes past the hammy villain getting his inevitable comeuppance.

Full Review | Apr 8, 2023

It has the flavor of a south-of-the-border Amblin movie, aimed at kids, which makes some of the more clichéd elements forgivable.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 7, 2023

The little Chupa was so cute.

Full Review | Apr 7, 2023

A sweet but very minor movie.

“Chupa” willfully becomes one of those family films that takes plenty from the toy box of cliches left before and hardly gives anything back.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 7, 2023

There isn’t much to this that will appeal to anybody over the age of eight. But the film’s real sin is in how it shortchanges the legend and the Mexicanness of all this.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Apr 7, 2023

A sweet, thoughtful adventure about family, celebrating heritage, and flipping the bird to bad guys who'd pursue magical creatures for money.

Chupa isn’t a perfect film, but it’s a really great kid’s movie that uses fantasy to tell a story about culture and family. With a scheming American scientist thrown in, the film is one I want every kid in my extended family to watch.

Full Review | Original Score: 7.5/10 | Apr 7, 2023

Chupa is in a rush to get to the major points of its clichéd, predictable plot.

‘Chupa’ Review: Jonás Cuarón Applies the Amblin Formula to a Fluffy Mexican Creature Feature

Three kids discover an endangered chupacabra cub in this cuddly family movie, which owes more to 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' than it does to Guillermo del Toro's dark fantasies.

By Peter Debruge

Peter Debruge

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According to legend, the chupacabra is a fearsome, blood-sucking beast — a lean and intimidating animal you wouldn’t want to come across feasting on your livestock at night. Not so the cub three kids nickname “ Chupa ” (Spanish for “sucker”) in Mexican director Jonás Cuarón’s family-friendly Netflix movie. This one looks like a fuzzy-wuzzy baby lynx, with inquisitive amber eyes and a pair of awkward azure wings it still hasn’t learned how to use. A single glimpse of this oversized kitten and you’ll want one for your own, if not the plush version to snuggle up with at night.

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The fact that his target audience isn’t old enough to remember movies like “E.T.” or “Harry and the Hendersons” means Cuarón and screenwriters Sean Kennedy Moore, Joe Barnathan and Marcus Rinehart are free to pinch from others in assembling their own would-be classic. For example, Christian Slater ’s character, Richard Quinn, was clearly inspired by Sam Neill’s iconic paleontologist, Alan Grant, sporting a similar fedora and specs when he’s first introduced in the field. Quinn’s obsessed with proving that chupacabras really exist, though he’s not interested in their well-being so much as their rumored healing powers, which he intends to sell to the American medical industry for a pretty profit.

Quinn gets pretty close to capturing a frightened chupacabra cub in the opening scene, but is blindsided by its angry mother. Both animals escape the cave where Quinn has cornered them, only to be badly wounded by a passing car. That’s where Alex comes in. None too keen to be banished to his grandfather’s boring farm, Alex is delighted to discover such an exotic companion, bonding with the newly christened “Chupa” in all sorts of adorable ways (including singing “En Tus Sueños” together in a nice nod to “Gremlins”).

The movie was produced by family-film vets Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, whose involvement with the “Harry Potter” franchise gave them plenty of experience with computer-generated critters. Cuarón embraces their benign, audience-appeasing instincts (as opposed to Guillermo del Toro’s darker sensibility), eliminating even the chance that chupacabras might hurt the Mexican characters — whereas the Bad American gets attacked by several at once. The director could use a bit more practice working with kids, who give stiff and slightly unnatural performances here (Ciarra seems the most comfortable on camera), to say nothing of the so-so visual effects, which favor cute over convincing where the CG chimera is concerned.

Despite its setting, the movie features majority-English dialogue. That’s a curious choice, since the entire adventure is intended to teach Alex to appreciate his Mexican heritage — and also because what “Chupa” had going for it was a willingness to tailor the fantasy-pet formula to Latino audiences. Who knows, the movie may actually play best to those who’ve never heard the word “chupacabra” and therefore have no expectations about what one might look like. But it also risks turning this half-bird, half-cat creature into the other sort of chimera: a dream that doesn’t quite come true.

Reviewed at Roma screening room, Los Angeles, April 4, 2023. MPA Rating: PG. Running time: 95 MIN.

• Production: A Netflix release and presentation of a 26th Street Pictures production. Producers: Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan. Executive producers: G. Mac Brown, Anna Barnathan Barry, Brendan Bellomo.
• Crew: Director: Jonás Cuarón. Screenplay: Sean Kennedy Moore & Joe Barnathan & Marcus Rinehart; story: Sean Kennedy Moore & Joe Barnathan & Marcus Rinehart & Brendan Bellomo. Camera: Nico Aguilar. Editor: Dan Zimmerman. Music: Carlos Rafael Rivera.
• With: Demián Bichir, Evan Whitten and Christian Slater, Ashley Ciarra, Nickolas Verdugo, Adriana Paz, Gerardo Taracena, Julio Cesar Cedillo. (English, Spanish dialogue)

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Chupa’ on Netflix, Spielberg Lite Done Right

Where to stream:.

• Family Movies

Is ‘Dragonkeeper’ Streaming On Netflix Or Disney+?

Stream it or skip it: ‘arthur the king’ on vod, a sports drama that stages an epic scruff-off between mark wahlberg and a very cute dog, stream it or skip it: ‘migration’ on peacock, a perfectly fine talking-duck road-comedy cartoon, stream it or skip it: ‘woody woodpecker goes to camp’ on netflix, a new full length movie that promises to test parents’ patience.

There’s a new Cuarón movie on Netflix! No, not four-time Oscar winner Alfonso … his son Jonas is back in the director’s chair with Chupa. And good news for fantasy fans – this is a fun, franchise-free movie for the whole family . Whether you know the legend of the chupacabra or not doesn’t matter so long as you can connect to feeling like people can’t understand how the different parts of you all fit together.

CHUPA : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: The chupacabra, a mythical creature that looks something like a winged coyote, is on the loose in the Mexican countryside – and hunted by a sinister American government official (Christian Slater). Elsewhere, there’s a different kind of creature bridging two worlds … but this one’s human. The young Mexican-American boy Alex (Evan Whitten) must travel from Kansas City, where his single mother has to stay and work, to visit his extended family in Mexico. It’s a period of great confusion in the protagonist’s life where he feels accepted neither as Mexican nor American. His cousins, the wrestling-obsessed young Memo (Nickolas Verdugo) and too-cool-for-school older Luna (Ashley Ciarra), only make him cling closer to his American identity on the trip.

But their quiet rural home gets quite the shakeup when Alex encounters the young chupacabra, who initially scares him but eventually wins over his sympathy, friendship, and protection. With the help of grandpa Chava (Demián Bichir), Alex fights to protect his family – including the adorable Chupa – and learns who he really is along the way.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Hmm, a movie about a young boy reeling from having an absent father who meets a creature that can represent both what he is and what he misses, and that creature is also something he has to hide from encroaching government officials who mistake its protective nature for danger? Chupa is E.T. AF.

Performance Worth Watching: Demián Bichir is the true emotional heart of the film. As the benevolent abuelo who knows more than he initially lets on, Bichir’s Chava gets to convey both the gravity and levity of the film’s situations. After his improbable Best Actor nomination over a decade ago, it finally feels like the kind of role he deserves.

Memorable Dialogue: “You don’t have to be alone anymore,” Alex tells Chupa at their first tender moment of real bonding. “I can take care of you. We can be together. I’ll be your family.” In case there was any doubt, this touching line solidifies the film’s animating thematic grace.

Sex and Skin: Chupa is far too childlike in its gaze to have these elements enter its purview.

Our Take: Chupa is the kind of sweet, sincere moviemaking that’s missed at the multiplexes. Director Jonas Cuarón has crafted a sci-fi fantasy for the whole family that can speak widely because it drills in so specifically on Mexican culture and identity. The film never condescends or caters to an outsider’s gaze on folklore like the chupacabra or diversions like the luchador fighters. Because he feels their legacies so personally, he can translate how they are a localized expression of a wider phenomenon. People need larger-than-life figures to help them express feelings and longings they otherwise struggle to put into words. It’s a sturdy foundation onto which he builds a rip-roaring adventure that’s resonant for viewers of any age.

Our Call: STREAM IT! Chupa is one of the best imitators of Amblin-style ‘80s adventure to date. By recreating feelings and details, not just indulging nostalgia, Cuarón provides more than just a copycat. It’s a soaring adventure film that provides the kind of entertainment for the whole family that has recently been farmed out to franchises.

Marshall Shaffer is a New York-based freelance film journalist. In addition to Decider, his work has also appeared on Slashfilm, Slant, The Playlist and many other outlets. Some day soon, everyone will realize how right he is about Spring Breakers.

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• DVD & Streaming
• Action/Adventure , Drama

Content Caution

In Theaters

• Evan Whitten as Alex; Demián Bichir as Chava; Christian Slater as Richard Quinn; Ashley Ciarra as Luna; Nickolas Verdugo as Memo; Adriana Paz as Julia; Julia Cesar Cedillo as Dr. Juan Carlos Ortega

Home Release Date

• April 7, 2023
• Jonás Cuarón

Distributor

Movie review.

Ever since the death of his father, Alex feels disconnected from the rest of the world. At school, he’s bullied for his Mexican heritage and for hiding his face behind his handheld gaming console. At home, he’s got little interest in learning anything related to his father—his heritage included.

Despite his negative feelings on the matter, Alex’s mother decides to send him to San Javier, Mexico, in order to reconnect with his relatives: his grandpa, Chava; and his cousins, Luna and Memo. It’s not long, however, before workers on the family ranch find something strange: a goat, drained of some of its blood.

Memo’s the first to call it as he sees it: It’s the work of the legendary Chupacabra , he says. After all, the name is literally translated as “goat sucker.” But despite Chava’s assurance that such a creature is only a myth, Memo’s right: Alex wakes up one morning soon after that to find a Chupacabra—and a young one at that, it seems—licking a cut on Alex’s hand.

The creature, however, isn’t slurping up Alex’s blood. It’s healing him: As Alex watches, the cut almost instantly closes up afterwards. Soon, Alex realizes that the cub (whom Alex names “Chupa”) has been separated from its family. And as Alex helps the beast get back home, he might just find his own home, too.

But Alex needs to work fast, since he’s not the only one with an interest in Chupa. There’s also the nefarious Richard Quinn, a man seeking out the animal for its aforementioned supernatural healing properties. And it’s clear he’s not just looking for Chupa to lick a wound closed: He wants blood.

Positive Elements

Alex begins to bond with Chupa when he realizes that the little guy has been separated from his family. Since Alex’s father passed away, he’s also felt a bit disconnected from his own family. He doesn’t want to learn about his family’s interests or culture, and when his father comes up, Alex buries himself behind his handheld gaming system to ignore the talk.

However, though Chava attempts to break through to Alex throughout the movie, it’s ultimately Alex’s journey with Chupa that helps him to realize how to let go and face his emotions head on. And after doing that, Alex learns to appreciate his cousins and grandfather, eventually realizing that he’s reconnected with his family.

Chava teaches Alex that it’s more important to face our emotions than hide from them.

Alex and his family fight against a man looking to exploit an animal.

Spiritual Elements

The Chupacabra is, of course, a mythological creature—but in this film, the creature is a real thing. However, its blood has a supernatural ability to heal wounds almost instantly, and we see this happen once. The creature is described as “a vampire that feeds on the blood of goats.”

Chava wears a cross necklace. We see an image of Jesus on a wall.

Sexual Content

Luchadores (professional wrestlers) are seen shirtless and in tight pants.

Violent Content

A Chupacabra’s wing is somewhat burned by a flare. A man’s cheek is scratched by Chupa’s claws. Chupa gets shot by a tranquilizer. An animal is hit by a car. Luchadores wrestle one another. A man is pushed to the ground, and another man is slammed onto the ground by someone. Memo bites someone’s arm.

We see a photo of a goat drained of its blood, and we glimpse some blood on the goat’s neck. Another goat’s tiny puncture wounds are seen healing immediately. Chupa brings a dead mouse to Alex. A mountain lion attempts to attack someone. Someone nearly falls to his death.

Crude or Profane Language

God’s name is used in vain four times. We hear “h—” once. Additionally, we hear an unfinished “son of a … !” twice. Richard says “shoot,” though it may sound like the s-word to some.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other negative elements.

Alex is bullied.

Chupa shares quite a bit, story wise, with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial .

Like that story, this one also focuses on a boy who takes it upon himself to help a mythical creature return home to its family before a government agency can nab the creature for itself. But it’s not Chupa (the animal) who is phoning home here: It’s Alex.

As Alex helps Chupa return to his family, he finally begins to finally connect with his own family. And though the general plot for this film could use a bit of workshopping, it was refreshing to see how few issues the PG film had.

Generally, it stays true to that PG rating, with the worst concerns being a dead mouse and a brief picture of a goat with some blood on its neck. However, families should note that God’s name is misused four times.

But despite those issues, the movie remains an easier watch than many other films ostensibly aimed at a family audience these days. Ultimately, Chupa proves that modern movies with few concerns aren’t just myths.

Kennedy Unthank

Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”

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Chupa (2023) Review – a wholesome tale about family, heritage and cute mythical creatures

We review the 2023 Netflix film Chupa, which does not contain spoilers.

Netflix’s Chupa  is an adventure movie based on the legend of the chupacabra  (aka. the goat sucker) . Instead of a blood-sucking monster, the film, directed by Jonas Cuaron , delivers a heartwarming tale about a boy who befriends a mythical (and adorable) creature.

Even before the film came out, many Spanish and Portuguese-speaking netizens were amused, to say the least, by  the title . But the feature itself is nothing short of wholesome. 

Chupa Review and Plot Summary

The film starts with a group of scientists led by Richard Quinn ( Christian Slater ) as they’re exploring a cave in San Javier, Mexico, in 1996. They seem to have found what they were looking for – an adorable little chupacabra cub most said only existed in legends.

It’s a furry cat-like creature with wings and a face that will remind you of Gizmo from Gremlins (the water-free version, of course). 

Before Richard can grab the cub, his much larger and scarier mother appears, growls at the scientists, and runs for it, but Richard and his team give chase. After being hit by a car, the chupacabra is forced to leave her cub behind as she tries to distract the chasers from him. 

We then meet our lead, Alex (Evan Whitten) , a 13-year-old boy living in Kansas City with his mother. At school, he’s bullied for his Mexican heritage. Complicating things further, Alex is still grieving the loss of his dad, who passed away from cancer.

The boy is set to spend spring break at his grandad Chava’s (Demián Bichir) ranch in Mexico with his two cousins, Luna (Ashley Ciarra) and Memo (Nickolas Verdugo) , all relatives he’s yet to meet. 

At the ranch, Alex quickly befriends his two cousins and becomes intrigued by his grandad’s past career as a professional lucha libre champion wrestler. He learns that Chava has been struggling with a memory loss condition and that he has been secretly hiding the chupacabra cub in his barn.

READ: Best Movies on Netflix of All Time

T he young boy bonds with the little monster and names him Chupa, vowing to protect him from the evil scientist. 

There’s a lot to love about Chupa. To start with, the creature itself is beyond adorable. While the mythical beast it’s based on is a terrifying vampire-like creature, the Chupa presented in this film is simply part of a misunderstood species that needs protection from human interference. 

The story is pretty formulaic, but it’s also done well. Cuarón’s decision to set the film in the mid-90s gives it an air of nostalgia that will undoubtedly appeal to Millenial audiences.

There’s a depth to most of these characters, and it’s impossible not to root for them. Alex is struggling with the loss of his father and uses unhealthy coping mechanisms, while Chava has to deal with the loss of his son and his declining mental faculties.

Even if you take the mythical away, this is a touching story about family, the importance of heritage, and the bonds that matter most to us. 

Is the 2023 movie Chupa good or bad?

While there’s nothing new to the story of a child befriending a mythical creature and protecting it from evil adults, Chupa introduces this heartwarming trope to a new generation. And it does a great job with it.

It’s a good film with a fantastic cast (seeing Christian Slater in a villainous role is always a treat), an adorable rendition of the Chupacabra legend, and, most importantly, it tells a worthwhile story. 

Is Chupa worth watching?

If you’re willing to look past the title mishap, then Chupa  is worth streaming. And despite the aforementioned title mishap, the film is suitable viewing for the whole family.

There’s enough depth in it to keep the adults entertained and plenty of magic to keep the little ones captivated. 

What did you think of the 2023 Netflix film Chupa? Comment below.

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Article by Lori Meek

Lori Meek has been a Ready Steady Cut contributing writer since September 2022 and has had over 400 published articles since. She studied Film and Television at Southampton Solent University, where she gained most of her knowledge and passion for the entertainment industry. Lori’s work is also featured on platforms such as TBreak Media and ShowFaves.

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Warning: Spoilers for Chupa follow!

Chupa follows the young boy Alex's unlikely friendship with a chupacabra, and its ending reveals a powerful message about family. Alex visits his grandfather Chava and his cousins Memo and Luna in Mexico after his father passes away from cancer. While there, he comes in contact with a chupacabra, and the interaction changes his life. A chupacabra is a mythical cryptid in Latin America and has often appeared in folklore. It was first claimed to be seen in Puerto Rico and has been compared to a vampire. In Spanish, "chupar" translates to "to suck," and "cabra" translates to "goat," earning its name as the cryptid is known to suck the blood from goats.

This confronts farmers with a huge problem, with most believing chupacabras to be bad. However, this isn't how the film presents the creature. A scientist named Richard Quinn is after the animal because he believes he can change medicine using the creature's healing powers. However, Alex has formed a bond with Chupa and will do anything, with the help of his family, to protect him and help him reunite with his own family. Chupa's most prominent messages come out toward the end of the film, helping Alex connect with his own family just like Chupa.

Why Do Alex & His Family Run Away With Chupa?

Alex forms a strong bond with Chupa throughout the film, and despite media warnings that the animal is incredibly dangerous, he sees the good in Chupa and will do anything to protect him. Quinn is set on capturing Chupa for his own selfish gains, but he underestimates how dedicated Alex is to save the animal. Quinn goes to Chava's house to capture Chupa, but Chava uses his wrestling skills to fight Quinn off before escaping with Alex, Memo, Luna, and Chupa into the car, where they drive off to get away from Quinn and hopefully find Chupa's family so they can reunite.

Why Does Chupa Come Back When Alex Releases Him?

After escaping Quinn, Alex and his family hide out on a mountain where Chupa hears the howls of his family, and despite how much Alex loves Chupa, he lets him go. However, soon after, Alex comes face to face with a mountain lion. Without Chupa by his side to protect him, he's vulnerable to a very dangerous situation. Luckily, Chava is still in wrestling mode and uses his skills to fight off the lion.

However, even after the animal flees the scene, Alex's life is at risk as he tries to get off a pipe he climbed onto to avoid the lion. When it seems he's going to fall off the cliff, Chupa comes back to save him. At first, it appears Chupa and Alex are both going to fall to their deaths, but before they hit the ground, Chupa's flying abilities, which he learned from Memo, kick in, and he flies back to the top of the mountain, holding onto Alex.

How Does Chupa Break Free From Quinn?

After Alex and his family share their gratitude with Chupa, Quinn catches up to them and captures the animal. Chava convinces Alex to let the animal go since they have already done everything they can to protect him from the scientist. This is where the crucial message about family protecting each other out of love really shines through.

As Quinn is driving away with Chupa in a cage next to him, Chupa's real family comes back to rescue him. They surround Quinn's car, making it impossible for him to keep driving. Quinn gets out of his car with Chupa in his arms, attempting to fight off his family. However, Chava puts his wrestling skills to use again, helping to fight off Quinn, which allows Chupa to get away.

What Is The Significance Of Wrestling In The Chupa Movie?

Wrestling holds a lot of significance throughout Chupa and especially toward the end of the film. Chava was a former lucha libre champion, and because he is dealing with Alzheimer's, he regularly resorts to his wrestling persona, not knowing that he's no longer a wrestler. In one scene, Alex sits on his grandfather's couch and watches wrestling with him as he gives Alex his father's wrestling mask and informs him that his father was also a luchador.

Chava then encourages Alex to wrestle him in order to cope with his grief around losing his father. Chava notices Alex resorts to video games to avoid discussing his father's death and believes connecting with his father through wrestling will help him. Wrestling is also a big part of the Spanish culture, and when Chava is in his wrestling persona, he feels invincible, which helps him free Chupa several times at the end of the film.

What Alex's Plane Ride Home Means In The Chupa Ending

At the end of the film, Alex leaves his grandfather's house and boards a plane back home. Before the plane takes off, Alex runs back off to say goodbye to his grandfather again. At the start of Chupa , Alex was hesitant about going to stay with Chava, but this scene signifies that he's grateful for the time he's spent with his grandfather and has learned to value his family. He also cherishes the experience they had together because his grandfather has Alzheimer's, so he doesn't know how much longer he has with him.

Once the plane takes off, Alex listens to the music Luna gave him, showcasing how close he's grown to his cousin and how he can connect to her even when she's far away. The same message goes for his father. He pulls out his father's wrestling mask on the plane, suggesting he's ready to deal with his grief but also feels connected to his father even though he isn't physically here anymore. The final scene shows Chupa flying next to the plane, letting Alex know that just like he told Chupa, they'll always be together, even if they're physically separate.

The Real Meaning Of The Chupa Movie Ending

On the surface, Chupa 's ending illustrates the story of good versus evil where Alex and his family help Chupa free himself from the selfish scientist so he can return to his family. However, the ending actually explores the power and significance of family through Alex and Chupa's individual connections to their own families and their connection to each other.

Alex is able to bond with Chupa because Chupa has separated from his family, and Alex has recently lost his father. Alex doesn't want to visit his grandfather and cousins at the start of Chupa , but his experience with them and the chupacabra changes his perspective making family his top priority, even if his family members are far away.

• Chupa (2023)

Should You Watch ‘Chupa’? Review of Netflix’s New Family Movie

Our PLAY, PAUSE, OR STOP? review of Netflix's new family movie.

Picture: Netflix

The latest Netflix family adventure film, Chupa , is now streaming, but should you give it a watch?

Inspired by the Amblin films of the 80s & 90s, Chupa is the story of a shy 13-year-old Alex (Evan Whitten) who flies from Kansas City to Mexico to meet his deceased father’s family for the first time.

There he meets his grandfather and former lucha libre champion Chava (Demián Bichir), energetic, wrestling-obsessed cousin Memo (Nickolas Verdugo), and fearless, hip cousin Luna (Ashley Ciarra). But just as Alex begins to get his bearings, he discovers a mythical creature living under his grandfather’s shed: a young chupacabra cub, which he recognizes from stories of the feared, full-grown chupacabra, fabled to feed on farmers’ livestock.

Alex soon learns that his new friend Chupa has a secret history with his family, and that dogged, dangerous scientist Richard Quinn (Christian Slater) is hunting the misunderstood creature to try and harness his powers. To protect Chupa from impending danger, Alex sets off on the adventure of a lifetime.

During quarantine time during the Covid-19 pandemic, director Jonas Cuaron, son of Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity, Roma), spent a lot of time watching the family adventure films of his youth with his children: E.T., The Goonies, Gremlins, Jurassic Park, and the like.

In an interview with “ Manny The Movie Guy ” on YouTube, Cuaron discussed how that experience inspired him to do Chupa:

“I suddenly became very excited about the idea of doing a family movie that I could share with them (his 2 children) … and when this script came to me and it was a movie about a chupacabra but told as a family adventure, I became very excited because I grew up in Mexico in the 90s and, as a kid, the myth of the chupacabra was all over the news and there were sightings near where I was living so I was very excited about this creature. So the idea of being able to make an Amblin-esque type of movie for my kids but show the context of what I grew up in became very exciting for me.”

Most certainly, Chupa does include many of the ingredients of the Amblin films I grew up on. Missing parent from death or divorce. Feeling for a child to become whole after reeling from that missing parent. A mystical creature that brings the lonely, isolated child back to life and unites the family left behind. Government/authority figures that want to take said creature away for their own gain or out of fear of the unknown. It’s all there… on paper.

But the secret ingredients that you just can’t put in the script is what is largely missing from this movie: emotional bonds, great child acting performances, dealing with real-life factors of loss, and, of course, the flawless design of a creature that can make us instantly want to be around it and protect it at all costs.

The connection between Alex and Chupa feels flat and uninspired. Between the false ring of a CGI creature rather than straight animatronics or a blend of both and a pedestrian child actor performance, the scenes featuring the two of them together don’t garner enough genuine heartfelt feelings that will carry you into the adventurous rescue attempts or saying goodbye.

One could argue that the film is at its best without Chupa. Moments where the cousins grow closer through experiences in the car or on the streets of San Javier or moments when abuelo talks about his son to Alex seem to work best because they are more relatable & authentic and the child actors seem to respond best in those situations.

The quirky details in Chupa also serve to bring a little life out of a mostly plodding story. The use of the Lucha Libre family history brings out some entertaining scenes with former luchador legend abuelo Chava in full outfit or cousin Memo jumping off furniture to randomly attack Alex. Maybe they should have taught Chupa a few wrestling moves to take on Christian Slater and his crew.

The 90s of it all also works its charms at times. A Gameboy, a cassette player, a ninja turtle t-shirt, and a bonding over the Beastie Boys drum up some nostalgic feelings to give the backdrop some added interest.

Overall, Chup a feels like a straight-to-VHS rental attempt at recapturing the prominence of the classic Amblin films of the 90s time period in which the film takes place. Families and young children, especially those from Spanish language households with immigrant stories of their own, might latch on to this film more than someone from my background, but I also think it doesn’t bring enough quality performances and emotional punch to even satisfy the discerning people of their intended audience.

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MVP of Netflix’s Chupa

Demian Bichir as Abuelo Chava.

While it may be debatable to enjoy the exploitation of a traumatic brain injury, Demian Bichir makes the most of role as abuelo Chava by being an emotional bridge for Alex to his father’s past and comic relief as a freewheeling luchador set loose on those who get in the way of his family or wish Chupa harm. I’ve always liked Bichir ever since I first saw him as the charming yet duplicitous Esteban Reyes on Showtime’s Weeds .

PLAY, PAUSE, OR STOP?

Inspired by 80s and 90s Amblin, but can’t reach the emotional highs or generational characters those movies created.

Andrew Morgan is a film critic & podcaster with 20 years of experience on the sets & offices of film & television. Current podcast host of the entertainment review show, Recent Activity. He lives in the Northeast of the United States.

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Chupa Netflix Movie Review: It’s Cute

Netflix’s Chupa is a cute, family friendly, film that tells the story of a young boy who finds a Chupacabra cub under on his grandfather’s farm.

Netflix has been doing a really great job with releasing movies that are good options for family movie nights. This trend continues with Chupa , the story of a young boy named Alex who finds a fabled Chupacabra cub under his grandfather’s shed while visiting Mexico from the United States.

It weaves in a lot of Spanish speaking and traditions, which is always a great way to open the minds of young ones to other cultures. At the same time, those who identify as a part of this culture will be excited to see themselves on screen.

Chupa is a very cute movie that, while not perfect, provides a lot of entertainment for families with young children. It takes a bit too long for Chupa to show up (nearly half the film) but once he does, viewers will instantly fall in love with him. During interviews for the movie, Director Jonas Cuaron revealed that this part on set was played by a dog. This makes perfect sense because not only does Chupa resemble a dog, it is clear Evan Whitten, the boy who plays Alex, had that sort of bond with the animal. 

The connection between Alex and Chupa is by far the best part of the movie. It is charming and adorable, and you cannot help but root for them. When Christian Slater shows up as the evil scientist who wants to take Chupa away and study him, his performance allows you to hate him as a character, even though you can’t help but love the actor.

Alex is ridiculed for his heritage by other kids his age, which is heartbreaking, but unfortunately more relatable than it should be. Because of this he starts to hate his culture so much so that he tries to get out of going to visit his family for school break. There is a scene that is very similar to one in My Big Fat Greek Wedding that shows how cruel people can be just because something looks or sounds different than what they are used to.

Exposing children to Spanish words, Mexican foods, LatinX music, and even the legend of the Chupacabra is done in a way that makes sense within the movie. Demián Bichir plays Alex’s grandfather. He is a former lucha libre champion which also adds a lot of culture, and fun, to the story. 

While it does pay off in the end, the story line revolving him takes away from the story of Chupa and Alex. He is losing his memory and is sick, which unfortunately just convolutes the plot more than is necessary. Chupa is adorable, but the effects aren’t perfect and some moments, especially the flying ones, don’t work quite as well as they should have.

Overall Thoughts

Chupa has its charming and adorable moments, most of which are when the Chupacabra cub is on screen. The story itself is interesting, but also tries to do too much. There are some great plot points however cramming them all together causes the film to lose its spark at times. 

That said, the actors are all fantastic and do their best with their roles. They bring something special to the table and make this a decent watch for families with younger children. You have to keep in mind that this is made for families, and what you get reflects that.

Tying in the Mexican culture is done in a seamless way that makes perfect sense. Alex learning to embrace his heritage, partly thanks to Chupa, adds in some heartwarming touches.

There are parts where the film drags for adults, although younger children will likely be entertained from the moment Chupa arrives to the end. There are some high stakes moments and a few hilarious ones. Sometimes it tries to do too much, but overall there will be an audience for this one. So if that is you, check it out on Netflix April 7th.

Rating: 2 out of 5

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About Chupa

Shy 13-year-old Alex (Evan Whitten) flies from Kansas City to Mexico to meet his extended family for the first time. There he meets his grandfather and former lucha libre champion Chava (Demián Bichir), energetic, wrestling-obsessed cousin Memo (Nickolas Verdugo), and fearless, hip cousin Luna (Ashley Ciarra).

But just as Alex begins to get his bearings, he discovers a mythical creature living under his grandfather’s shed: a young chupacabra cub, which he recognizes from stories of the feared, full-grown chupacabra, fabled to feed on farmers’ livestock.

Alex soon learns that his new friend “Chupa” has a secret history with his family, and that dogged, dangerous scientist Richard Quinn (Christian Slater) is hunting the misunderstood creature to try and harness his powers. To protect Chupa from impending danger, Alex sets off on the adventure of a lifetime, one that will push the bonds of his newfound family to the brink, and remind him that life’s burdens are lighter when you don’t have to carry them alone.

Chupa hits Netflix on April 7th.

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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

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