The new Mexican drama The Accident (or Accidente) starring Ana Claudia Talancon, Erendira Ibarra and Erick Elias has become a hit on Netflix.
New TV shows on the streaming service have been a gateway to international film and television for many, and The Accident could be your first Mexican series.
Whether or not it is true, Leonardo Padron’s thriller has captivated the attention of subscribers with its twists and turns.
Here’s what it’s about and what the critics are saying, so you can decide whether you want to watch it now that it’s streaming on Netflix.
Accident summary
If you’re looking for a quick summary, The Accident is about a a child’s birthday party went wrongA tragic accident occurs while children are playing on a bouncy castle, and the adults blame each other in grief.
Daniela and Emiliano, a wealthy couple, throw a birthday party for their son Rodrigo in Santa Cruz, Mexico. Balloons are blown up, board games are played, and parents and caregivers are scattered everywhere. Then the wind picks up, causing an accident that kills three children.
In hindsight, the community wonders whether this was truly an unavoidable accident, or whether one or more adults present could have intervened or monitored the situation more closely.
As everyone’s ulterior motives come into play, the Netflix series descends into chaos, with characters driven by greed or grief – or sometimes both.
Casting
The cast of The Accident includes well-known Mexican actors like Ana Claudia Talancon (I’m a fan) and Sebastian Martinez (The Marked Heart).
You might also recognize Alberto Guerra from Griselda, another Netflix series.
- Ana Claudia Talancón as Daniela
- Sebastián Martínez as Emiliano
- Alberto Guerra as El Charro
- Erendira Ibarra as Lupita
- Shaní Lozano as Yolanda
- Silverio Palacios as Moncho
- Erick Elías as Fabian
Is this based on a true story?
Netflix has confirmed The accident is not based on a true storyThis is fiction. However, many accidents involving bouncy castles have occurred over the years.
Netflix
It makes sense that the story isn’t true, given that the Netflix series begins with the accident before descending into a soap opera-style thriller plot.
Fox’s 9-1-1 crime drama also launched a bouncy castle into the sky in Season 1, Episode 3, but according to has University of Georgia, the scene may not be as unlikely as it seems.
Nearly 500 people have been injured in wind-related bouncy castle accidents over the past 20 years, and almost exactly the same incident happened in Australia in 2021.
Last year it was announced that a bouncy castle company had been charged with breaching health and safety regulations after six children were killed and three seriously injured in the incident at Hillcrest Primary School fairground.
Is it worth watching?
The accident received average to low reviewshaving been criticized as melodramatic and heavy-handed by some.
Decision maker informed Readers were urged to skip it, writing: “The Accident takes too many risks in the first episode without taking the time to let us live with its characters. It is also very melodramatic for most of the first episode.”
Elsewhere, Common Sense Media said“While the series aims to be a unique thriller, it ultimately drifts too far into soap opera territory, with characters engaging in shocking behavior like breaking into funerals and seeking violent revenge without much consequence.”
NetflixThe series centers on a bouncy castle accident
Horror Paradise goodbye was more positive, saying: “There is a soapy quality at times, but the thriller and drama elements prevail.”
Ultimately, if you like melodrama, The Accident is worth a watch. But don’t expect to see a prestige TV series.
Rotten Tomatoes’ Music for The Accident
Although there was no audience rating, The Accident got just 29% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
That figure is from September 2024, based on seven reviews. But since the series was released in August, that’s unlikely to change too drastically.
You can watch The Accident in English or Spanish
Netflix presents the series in its original Spanish language but provides English subtitles and audio dubbing. for viewers who do not speak Spanish.
As usual with its international content, there is also a larger selection of subtitles and dubbing for other languages.
The Accident is now available on Netflix. For more, check out Stranger Things season 5, The Sandman season 2, or Ginny and Georgia season 3.
