Aahana Swrup
Originally titled ‘El Yerno,’ ‘Son-in-Law’ is a comedy-slash-tragedy wherein one silver-tongued man manages to climb his way to the top of the proverbial mountain. José Sánchez has big dreams, but few ways to achieve them. His decorative role in his in-laws’ company allows him a life of relative luxury but no power. That is, until the right connections and risks get him in the running for local politics. Before he knows it, he has become Albacruz’s attorney general. However, with the post also comes the reality of dealing with public pressure and the never-ending local cartel violence. Eventually, Jose finds a solution to his problems in convenient corruption as he enters into cahoots with some unsavory characters. The Spanish film delves into dark themes of crime and politics, which allows the narrative to remain realistic despite its comedic nature.
Son-in-Law is a Fictional Story About the Mexican Dream
The characters and storylines explored in ‘Son-in-Law’ all exist within the realistic confines of actual corruption in politics. Even so, the narratives and the plot details themselves remain a work of fiction. The film is penned by screenwriters Alexandro Aldrete, Gabriel Nuncio, and James Schamus under Gerardo Naranjo’s direction. While the project retains a sense of realism and authenticity, it doesn’t take any direct inspiration from real-life people or events. At its core, the Netflix production centers on a theme that has the potential that a large portion of the audience will find familiar or resonant. Through Jose’s story, the narrative delves into what the film’s creators describe as “the Mexican dream.”
Jose is a downtrodden individual with much potential but no real opportunities. Therefore, he goes out of his way to create his own luck. This ends up amassing him a fortune of corrupt shortcuts that lead to easy success but also massive eventual downfall. The film examines this Odyssey of three phases through a dark and comedic lens to highlight the absurdity of the protagonist’s ideals and his life. Naturally, this also allows the film to pass charged social commentary about the state of corruption in politics, particularly in Mexico. As of 2025, Transparency International ranks the country of Mexico 141st out of 182 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index.
Likewise, reports suggest that 90% of the Mexicans population views their own state and federal government as corrupt. Therefore, the foundational premise of ‘Son-in-Law’ remains rooted in the real prevalence of governmental corruption. Notably, by scrutinizing a fictitious tale about a specific state and its unqualified attorney general, the film gets to examine this vast topic on a deeper level. In a conversation with Netflix, director Naranjo spoke about the project and said, “‘The Son-in-Law’ (‘El yerno’) explores betrayal as a central narrative thread, portraying it as a widespread practice in this country. The film is a provocation, inviting us to examine a reality that is equally ridiculous and contradictory.”
Jose Sanchez’s Fictitious Depiction as a Corrupt Politician Adds Realism to the Story
Much like the film itself, Jose Sanchez, the protagonist of ‘Son-in-Law,’ is also fictitious in nature. The character is primarily used as a tool to examine the idea of descent into corruption through a comedic perspective. The film pitches Jose as an eager and ambitious man who stumbles into the game of politics by simply being in the right place at the right time and with the right kind of corrupted morals. Once the narrative establishes him as a man in power who is willing to abuse his station, his character arc becomes an analysis of betrayal and its intricate connection to political corruption. Yet, while there has been no official confirmation about a real-life inspiration behind the characters, there are many examples of corrupt political officials in real life who parallel the on-screen storyline.
Edgar Veytia, aka El Diablo, the former attorney general of Nayarit, Mexico, presents a prominent similarity to the fictionalized character of Jose Sanchez. During his time as the attorney general, Veytia maintained a public persona that emphasized a hostility toward crime. However, behind closed doors, he was facilitating cartel smuggling between local gangs for years. Following his arrest, Veytia pleaded guilty to narcotics trafficking in 2019. In the film, Jose Sanchez occupies a very similar role, as an attorney general who cuts deals with Albacruz’s cartel gangs while waging war on cartel violence in the media. Still, there doesn’t seem to be any direct connection between the on-screen character and the real-life former politician. Ultimately, the protagonist remains fictitious with a realistic storyline.
Read More: Lifetime’s Kidnapped in Her Own Home: True Story of Martha Carelli, Explained
