Mexico 86 Review
Director: Gabriel Ripstein
Date Created: 2026-06-06 17:03
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Mexico 86 Review: Directed by Gabriel Ripstein and starring Diego Luna as Martín de la Torre, alongside Daniel Giménez Cacho, Memo Villegas, Karla Souza, Genevieve Fleming, Frank Crudele, and Andrés De León. With a runtime of just 97 minutes, the Netflix film takes viewers back to one of the most fascinating chapters in football history: Mexico’s unlikely journey to securing and retaining the hosting rights for the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Mexico 86 Review
The political comedy drama Netflix’s Mexico 86 takes place against the backdrop of administrative work in the realm of football. To my surprise, this approach proved to be more successful than I expected. Instead of concentrating on players, matches, or famous goals, the movie emphasises the individuals who influence the sport from behind the scenes.
At the heart of this film is Martín de la Torre, who is an insignificant employee of the Mexican Football Federation. He finds himself in a rather dull position in life, being ignored by his bosses and unsatisfied with his private affairs. When Colombia refuses to hold the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Martín decides that this is his chance for self-promotion and a chance to make Mexico famous on the world football map.
The most appealing thing about this Netflix Mexico 86 film at first sight was Martín’s relatability despite his imperfections. He does not appear as a typical hero. Actually, much of what he does is morally wrong. He uses tricks, goes against the rules, and acts according to his self-interests rather than his principles all the time. But unlike the usual approach to heroes, the movie never requires that we idolise him.
Diego Luna carries the movie effortlessly. His portrayal combines all the best qualities of the character – his charisma, desperation, arrogance, and insecurity. At times, you cheer for him, while at other times you want him to rethink everything he is doing. He successfully balances this act, ensuring that the character does not become annoying but interesting.
What makes the Netflix Mexican film Mexico 86 such an enjoyable movie to watch is that it shows how political football operates on the international stage. The fight for the bid between the two countries is portrayed in such a way as to be almost comparable to a game of chess. Each negotiation seems like a fight in which power is more important than anything else.
What I enjoyed most about this is how the screenplay tackles these themes in a humorous way. The movie does not turn into an academic exploration of the management of sports. On the contrary, the screenplay takes the ridiculous nature of this scenario into account. Seeing the officials work so hard to win votes, outwit opponents, and create opportunities for themselves proves quite entertaining. There is always something to laugh at in this satirical story.
However, hidden beneath all the humour is a quite biting portrayal of corruption. As Martín progresses through the ranks of football’s governing bodies, it becomes increasingly difficult to differentiate between healthy ambition and moral corruption. Every triumph seems to come at the cost of an additional compromise, as the film slowly shows how success can be purchased at a steep price.
The effectiveness of this particular theme is realised especially well when the time comes after the catastrophic earthquake in Mexico. Rather than being solely concerned with the impact of this terrible event in terms of human suffering, the movie goes on to explore how such an event can affect the hosting of the World Cup. What we learn from Martín’s reaction to this situation is both his devotion and his selfish nature.
Martín’s personal story doesn’t come off as strong, but nonetheless remains relevant. The relationship between him and Susana helps to see what needs to be sacrificed for one’s ambition to be fulfilled. Although Karla Souza plays her part well, at times the romantic plot line does not seem as developed as the political one. There are some emotional moments in it, but they are not quite as intense as those involving football affairs. However, it helps in developing an important point about Martín always choosing career over people close to him.
Visually, the Netflix film Mexico 86 does a good job of capturing the feel of the 80s. This is thanks to the costumes, production, and style, all of which help create a sense of being in the 80s without seeming too much like a nostalgia trip. Director Gabriel Ripstein maintains a fast pace, making sure that the movie doesn’t drag.
The major flaw, however, is the tendency to oversimplify some of the more intriguing aspects of the film. For example, the politics are fascinating; yet at times, certain elements are glossed over. Also, many of the secondary characters seem to function as embodiments of bigger entities rather than as full-fledged people.
However, what works in favour of Mexico 86 is that it is aware that, at the end of the day, everything comes down to consequences. Everything that Martín manages to accomplish turns into another issue. In other words, the movie never forgets to remind viewers of the price that any success comes with. By the end, one realises that ambition can both elevate and destroy a man.
Netflix Mexico 86 Review: Summing Up
Ultimately, Mexico 86 is an entertaining and reflective analysis of the business, politics, and people that run the most significant sports event in the world. The film is probably not what sports enthusiasts would expect in terms of on-the-pitch action; however, it is a fascinating exploration of the mechanics working behind the scenes. Coupled with the excellent work of Diego Luna as well as humour and politics, the film gives us a unique insight into the exciting history of football.
