58
Metascore
31 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90VarietyPeter DebrugeVarietyPeter DebrugeInspiration and entertainment can make corny bedfellows, but Longoria pulls it off, to the extent that a moment of faith when Richard and Judy pray doesn’t feel preachy, but a reflection of their priorities.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe film’s lengthy chronology and constantly shifting tones would be challenging for any director, but Longoria, making her feature debut, handles things expertly, infusing the proceedings with a loving appreciation and authentic-feeling depiction of the Latino community at its core.
- What Longoria has created is less a history lesson and more a fairy tale that reframes an American success story within California’s Hispanic community. You may doubt its accuracy, but the message will resonate, and that is a far more interesting conversation than how closely Flamin’ Hot matches the Montañez Wikipedia.
- 70IGNRafael MotamayorIGNRafael MotamayorFlamin' Hot is a charming and funny rags-to-riches story with a strong cast, some clever editing, and good use of narration as comedy that make up for its superficial depth.
- 60Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonFlamin’ Hot is a breezy affair accented by Jesse Garcia’s winning performance as the budding Mexican-American entrepreneur, but this underdog tale ultimately proves to be too unremarkable to generate much heat.
- 60Screen RantMae AbdulbakiScreen RantMae AbdulbakiFlamin’ Hot is not only entertaining, but feels like a warm hug. It’s sentimental enough, but doesn’t overstay its welcome. Longoria has ultimately crafted a sweet, funny, and bright movie that will surely have viewers looking up Montañez on Google after the film ends.
- 58IndieWireKate ErblandIndieWireKate ErblandIt’s entertaining enough, but this is a story that doesn’t feel real, mostly because it isn’t.
- 50SlashfilmJacob HallSlashfilmJacob HallThe very idea of a biopic about a guy who claimed to invent a hot Cheeto feels like a gag, but it could've sidestepped all of that by avoiding the usual biopic cliches. But Flamin' Hot leans into them with an aggressiveness that makes "Bohemian Rhapsody" look like "I'm Not There." It would be insulting if it wasn't so tired.