The One in Charge (2022– ) User Reviews

Actually pretty good

[RandomTard · 7/10 · 7 February 2023]

This is the best show from South-America I've come across. It's a dark comedy with decent script and acting. It's not like other comedies from there, it's not insane and over the top - it's actually pretty sophisticated.

There were some moments when the characters acted in a way that was unbelievable but other than that there's not much to criticize. The ending was a bit weird, I mean the amount of money they were willing to spend for...but I don't wanna spoil anything.

Over all a good series. Even the music was fitting and the sounds were balanced. I sure hope they'll get to make season 2 for this.

Francella's Mastery Shines in a Visually Engaging Series

[ignaciogonzalezsuran · 9/10 · 26 April 2024]

The quality of Francella was already a guarantee, but without a doubt, he manages to revalidate his reputation. Although sometimes the series could be somewhat predictable, the visual narrative and the scene-to-scene changes are phenomenal in keeping the viewer engaged. As viewers, we also suffer from a dual personality in that for brief moments we empathize with the protagonist since we see everything from his perspective, but at the same time, there is always that rejection of his behavior present in us. The first 3 minutes of the first episode of the first season and the last 3 minutes of the last episode of the second season best describe the series and its character. Congratulations to the cast.

A smart, funny and very well acted black comedy of human miseries

[patrickrichardfile · 10/10 · 3 November 2022]

I was expecting quality stuff, but not at this level. It literally surpassed all (my) expectations:

• Plot
• Cast
• Music
• Comedy level

I've enjoyed Only Murders in the Building but never got super addicted to it. With this one, instead, I couldn't stop watching. Guillermo Franchella is an outstanding actor. He was part of the cast of the Oscar-winning The Secret in Their Eyes. The director makes an incredible job with not only the shooting but also with keeping the pace of every episode. The constant mini-ost helps a lot in this regard, engaging every thought, look, action, and drama...it´s just gold.

Do yourself a favor and watch this. It's worth it.

An absolute gem! Wickedly funny & superbly acted tale of manipulation & deceipt. A must-see Classic

[downingpatrick · 10/10 · 15 November 2022]

This series took me completely by surprise & is undoubtedly going to remain a firm favourite. The lead actor provides a virtuoso performance of a man in confident control of his own little world & the characters in it. Seducing the audience into enjoying his self-serving nastiness & manipulation. The definition of a lovable rogue.

The atmosphere of the smart apartment block feels perfect & the delicate balance of scene music & natural ambient sounds completes your engagement.

A superb cast make this clever, winding tale of plots & problems, class distinctions & everyday survival, a memorable must see.

Argentine style!!

[jabrahammendez · 10/10 · 4 December 2023]

"El encargado" is a captivating Argentine series that deserves recognition for its originality, talented cast, and natural performances. As a Mexican, it saddens me to see how Spain and Argentina have seemingly surpassed Mexico in creating compelling and innovative storytelling.

Guillermo Francella delivers a remarkable performance in his role, further solidifying his status as a seasoned actor. The way he immerses himself in the character is truly commendable, allowing the audience to connect with the story on a deeper level.

One of the standout aspects of "El encargado" is its ability to present fresh narratives that resonate with viewers. Unlike the traditional telenovelas and outdated themes Mexico tends to produce, this series offers a breath of fresh air. It tackles relevant and contemporary subjects, making it more relatable to today's youth.

Furthermore, the natural and authentic performances from the entire cast make "El encargado" a joy to watch. The actors effortlessly bring their characters to life, creating a believable and immersive experience. This authenticity greatly contributes to the series' success and sets it apart from productions that rely on over-the-top melodrama.

While it's disheartening to witness the apparent gap between Mexican productions and those from other countries, "El encargado" serves as a reminder that exceptional storytelling and talented actors can be found beyond our borders. It's a testament to the creative prowess of Argentina and the ability to captivate audiences with original and thought-provoking narratives.

In conclusion, "El encargado" is a gem that showcases the brilliance of the Argentine television industry. It serves as a poignant reminder that Mexico has the potential to explore new horizons and break free from the confines of traditional telenovelas. Let's hope this series inspires Mexican creators to step outside their comfort zone and embrace the power of innovative storytelling and natural performances.

My Favorite Spanish Series Ever!

[leftbanker-1 · 10/10 · 13 December 2022]

This is a lot of fun and a great idea that I'm sure will be redone for the American audience. The sometimes sinister, sometimes macabre, and always Machiavellian machinations of Eliseo, the thirty-year concierge of a posh high-rise tower who is about to be tossed out in order to make room and money for a roof-top swimming pool for the residents.

Eliseo is the obvious underdog and the guy we are rooting for as he scrambles undercover to sway residents against the vote for the pool project. But Eliseo's methods and tactics become increasingly evil. He proves again and again that he's a fantastic doorman and a jack of all trades, but his real talent is in deception and intrigue to the point that I half-expect in the final episode to have a CIA representative meet with him and recruit the handyman for service in the spy world.

Although I rate this series at Ten Stars, it could have been much better, funnier, and with better writing, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it thus far (eight episodes).

Good but overrated

[foxtografo · 6/10 · 7 December 2022]

I did enjoy this series, more being Argentinean, you appreciate little details that might get lost depending on the culture you come from.

The story is good, the first episode gives you a good base and you know what's going to be happening through the story. Not that it's predictable, but the structure is quite simple and doesn't break through the 10 episodes, each one, the concierge tries to convince one of the inhabitants of the building to his favour (you'll see what is it exactly he wants to convince them about in the first episode, but no need to mention it here), and that doesn't change throughout, giving a sense of simplicity in the writing that adds up negatively. From the beginning (and maybe because of my high expectations generated by the hype in Argentina) I felt like the characters and writing was trying to be smarter than it is, the manipulative actions of the concierge aren't as complex, clever or sometimes realistic as I was expecting, and I felt disappointed a few times.

The character is quite ambiguous, even if he does clearly wrong things throughout the show, he also shows a very kind human aspect at times, so by the end I didn't really know if to root for him or not. I guess that's the point, but by the end I was left with an inconsistent feeling, a bittersweet taste of satisfaction mixed with confusion. Not saying that the story doesn't make sense, or that I need "the good ones to win" or "the bad ones to be punished", I really dislike those clichés, but here's just a feeling difficult to point at and explain.

Performances are good through, I don't remember anyone not delivering their role accordingly, but nothing exceptional neither. Thinking of it, it seems that the direction failed to a good idea with a good casting, not terribly but not achieving its full potential.

The technical aspect is quite average, the cinematography is a very wasted opportunity here, it could definitely have use a better use of the colour palette, extreme angles to create emotion, and a more artistic, cinematographic look overall, but it's really average. I've see way better in Argentinean cinema, I thought it was a standard by now.

In the positive side, Francella, even if this is not his finest, always gives an entertaining (at least) performance, and the show has a good pace, a short episode run, so it's not boring at all and kept me intrigued on how it'd develop.

I have to say, I enjoyed the show, it's a decent one, but I feel a bit underwhelmed by the disappointment of such a hype and the potential it had on the premise and casting.