The new Mexican drama The Accident (or Accidente), featuring Ana Claudia Talancon, Erendira Ibarra, and Erick Elias, has quickly become a hit on Netflix.
For many viewers, new TV shows on the streaming platform serve as a gateway into international film and television, and The Accident could be your introduction to Mexican series.
This thrilling creation by Leonardo Padron has successfully captured the attention of Netflix subscribers with its intriguing twists and unexpected turns.
Here’s an overview of the show and what reviews are indicating, to help you decide if it’s worth watching now that it’s streaming on Netflix.
Overview of The Accident
The Accident revolves around a child’s birthday party gone horribly wrong. An unforeseen tragedy strikes during the festivities when children are playing on a bouncy castle, causing the adults to shift blame amidst their grief.
In the picturesque Santa Cruz, Mexico, wealthy couple Daniela and Emiliano host a birthday celebration for their son Rodrigo. The scene is filled with decorations, party games, and attentive parents. However, when a sudden gust of wind causes an accident that claims the lives of three children, chaos ensues.
In the aftermath, the community grapples with whether the incident was truly accidental or if the adults should have intervened or paid closer attention.
As hidden motives surface, The Accident evolves into chaos, showcasing characters driven by grief, greed, or occasionally both.
Cast of The Accident
The cast of The Accident features prominent Mexican actors including Ana Claudia Talancon (known for Soy Tu Fan) and Sebastián Martínez (from The Marked Heart).
Viewers might also recognize Alberto Guerra from Griselda, another Netflix production.
- Ana Claudia Talancon as Daniela
- Sebastian Martinez as Emiliano
- Alberto Guerra as The Charro
- Erendira Ibarra as Lupita
- Shaní Lozano and Yolanda
- Silverio Palacios as Moncho
- Erick Elias as Fabian
Is The Accident Based on a True Story?
Netflix has confirmed that The Accident is a work of fiction. However, it draws inspiration from various real-life incidents involving bouncy castles over the years.
The fictional nature of the series is evident as it begins with the tragic accident before unfurling into a melodramatic thriller.
For context, Fox’s police procedural 9-1-1 also depicted a bouncy castle incident in its first season, yet according to the University of Georgia, such scenes may not be entirely far-fetched.
Over the past two decades, nearly 500 individuals have been injured in wind-related bouncy castle accidents, including a similar incident in Australia in 2021.
In a tragic case, a bouncy castle company faced charges for violating health and safety regulations after a mishap during the Hillcrest Primary School fair left six children dead and three severely injured.
Is The Accident Worth Watching?
The Accident has garnered mixed to unfavorable reviews, with some critics labeling it melodramatic and overly heavy-handed.
Decider recommended skipping it, stating, “The Accident takes too many dramatic turns in the first episode without allowing us to connect with its characters. The melodrama is quite over-the-top throughout.”
Meanwhile, Common Sense Media noted, “While the series aims for unique thrills, it often veers into soap opera territory, showcasing shocking character behavior such as crashing funerals and pursuing violent retribution without any repercussions.”
The series focuses on the aftermath of a tragic bouncy castle accident
However, Heaven of Horror’s review took a more favorable standpoint, mentioning, “Despite a soap-like feel at times, the thriller and drama elements prevail.”
If you enjoy melodrama, The Accident may be worth your time. Just temper your expectations regarding its ambition for prestige television.
Rotten Tomatoes Score for The Accident
As of September 2024, The Accident holds a mere 29% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
This rating is based on seven reviews, and given that the series premiered in August, significant fluctuations in this score are unlikely.
Watch The Accident in English or Spanish
Netflix offers The Accident in its original Spanish language, along with English subtitles and an audio dubbed version for non-Spanish speakers.
Per its usual practice, there are additional subtitle and dubbing options for several other languages as well.
You can start streaming The Accident on Netflix today. For more exciting content, check out Stranger Things Season 5, The Sandman Season 2, or Ginny and Georgia Season 3.
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