TV Review: Gentefied Confronts Gentrification With Humor & Heart

Gentefied premieres on Netflix on February 21. Created by Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez, the seriesfocuses on The Morales’ cousins determination to save their grandfather’s taco shop, Mama Fina’s, while also finding a sense of identity as Latinx, young people, and human beings in a gentrifying neighborhood. The power of Gentefied is that it shows Latinx as layered persons: not stereotypes. Moreover, it elaborates the double consciousness of trying to be a person figuring out who you are, while also living in a world that swears it already knows before you do. 

First in the Morales clan is Casimiro (played by Joaquín Cosio). He embodies the stern, old school mentality of our Latinx elders, while balancing their openness for their grandchildren. The way his grandchildren love and respect Casimiro is judicious, and gives foundation for why you respect Ana (Karrie Martin), Chris (Carlos Santos),and Erik (Joseph Julian Soria). They are good people trying to love themselves in a world/ nation that has yet to see Latinx as loving people. As a POC, gentrification makes you confront, in your own backdoor, a history of national problems like, homophobia, racism, and classism. Suddenly, local stores and the communal treasures known as “bodegas” have been replaced by expensive boutiques and coffee shops you either can’t afford or don’t like: even liquor stores are now wine shops. These types of changes put the three cousins in a maze of misadventures that force them to mature but also lose their mind a little bit.
Gentefied | Official Trailer | Netflix

Carlos Santos is HILARIOUS as Chris; the “uppity” cousin we all have that swears he is more refined than the rest of us. His journey throughout the series is so important because it reflects on something Latinx learn: you can only “pass” so much. His cousins make fun of him for being “agringao,” working with a top chef who “benevolently” distinguishes him as “unlike” the other Mexicans he works with but never helps him progress his talent. Chris is a fantastic, promising chef, but he is Mexican, which means a lot people think he should only be cleaning the plates, not inventing the meals. His journey is figuring out how and whether his dream of becoming an amazing chef fits in his grandfather’s taco shop. Yet, dreaming is not always an easy act as see with Erik.

Joseph Julian Soria dominates as the strong-willed Erik; whose resilience to protect and push forward the people he loves comes in reflection to his uncertainty over what he wants for himself…. I feel that. I love that his journey is about being okay with only wanting to love your family as they build themselves. His dream is the fierce Lidia (Annie Gonzalez) and their baby, which is so moving and another step in redefining what it is to be a “macho.” Meanwhile, Gonzalez makes Lidia so smart and an equal to Erik’s strong will. Yet, nobody can outshine the strength and craz of  Ana. 
Gentefied I Meet Your New Favorite Cast I Netflix

Karrie Martin as Ana show LATINAS ARE MAD STRONG! We are fierce, vibrant, creative, and terrified to be those things because our very talents can be considered threats or commodities for “gringos.” Her journey is so powerful because she is a Latina lesbian who was raised in poverty and wants to be an artist. If you have a Latina mom, you know that means she is about to have a heart attack. The way Ana simultaneously confronts the prejudices within our community and towards it is enough to make you want wave your flag and yell, “Represent!” at your screen. 

Overall, Gentefied is intelligent, funny, and uses both qualities to refreshingly approach topics nobody wants to really discuss. Sure, we know gentrification exists, but can we stop gentrification? Can communities of color embrace white communities that don’t embrace us but are, literally, replacing or becoming our neighbor? What does “embracing” mean and does that endanger us more or help us in staying within our homes? Ultimately, gentrification is a painful experience because POC’s are left wondering if our now “bettering community” is being called “better” because we are being pushed out? As Latinx, these questions permeate through Gentefied’s characters that are witty, hopeful, loving, compassionate, and fighting tooth and nail to stay in their home of Boyle Heights, which is an actual neighborhood in L.A., currently, being gentrified.