La mesías is a Spanish family thriller television series with musical, religious, psychological drama and science fiction elements created, written, and directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo ('Los Javis') that was originally released on Movistar Plus+ from 11 October to 16 November 2023. Its cast features Macarena García, Roger Casamajor, Lola Dueñas, Ana Rujas, Carmen Machi, and Albert Pla, among others.
Plot
In the 1980s, 10-year-old Enric and his 8-year-old sister, Irene, are dragged away from their father by their mother, Montserrat, a volatile woman struggling with stability. Montserrat’s reckless lifestyle and severe neglect traumatize the children. Following a devastating apartment fire that leaves Irene facial scarring and rendered mute, Montserrat relocates the family to a remote, isolated villa with Pep Puig, a religious fanatic. Pep renames the children Isaías and Resurrección, imposing strict religious rules that forbid them from ever leaving the house or making contact with the outside world.
By 1996, Isaías (Enric) and Resurrección (Irene) help raise their six younger sisters — Aina, Julia, Cecilia, Neus, Beth and Nora — under Pep and Montserrat's severe isolation. As Montserrat’s mental health deteriorates into grandiose delusions, she claims to speak directly with God and forces her daughters into a Christian pop group called Stella Maris to fulfill a "divine mission to save humanity." Enric secretly introduces his sisters to musical movies using a stolen VHS tape and camera, but after Montserrat discovers this, she locks him in the basement and escalates her religious rule. Brief interventions by Social Services and temporary schooling fail to free the family; after a failed mass suicide attempt orchestrated by Montserrat, Enric is framed for an attack, thrown out of the house, and flees to Barcelona.
In 2012, an adult Enric spots a viral Stella Maris video on the news, prompting him to seek out Irene and attempt to rescue their younger sisters. Reconnecting after years of estrangement, Enric and Irene confront their abusive past — discovering their father Albert lived a separate wealthy life and that Montserrat has continued her delusional cult. Enric infiltrates the family home during Christmas, exposing Montserrat’s lies, which culminates in Cecilia fleeing the household to join Irene. Following a visionary ayahuasca trip where Enric finally processes his childhood trauma while Irene and Cecilia rebuild their lives.
Cast
Episodes
Production The series is a Movistar Plus+ original, produced in collaboration with Suma Content. Shooting locations in Catalonia included Barcelona, Girona, Mataró, Òrrius, Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, Calaf, Arenys de Mar, Manresa, Gualba, and Santa Susanna. The series was lensed by Gris Jordana. Raül Refree (score) and Hidrogenesse (original songs) were responsible for the music.
Release The series was presented as a non-competitive screening in the official selection of the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival on 29 September 2023. It debuted on Movistar Plus+ on 11 October 2023. The original broadcasting run ended on 16 November 2023, with the release of episode 7.
HBO LatAm and Movistar Plus+ International agreed on a deal for the distribution of the series in Latin American territories. The series was selected to have its international premiere in a showcase at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Arte acquired rights for France and Germany as well as other European countries such as Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Andorra, Monaco, and Luxembourg. Starting on 1 April 2026, Hulu and Disney+ released the series in the United States. Mubi programmed a streaming release in the United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Australia for 3 September 2026. At the September 2026 Iberseries & Platino Industria market, Mubi was announced to have acquired worldwide rights to the series.
Accolades
| rowspan = "5" | || rowspan = "5" | 29th Forqué Awards || colspan = "2" | Best TV Series || || rowspan = "5" | |- | rowspan = "2" | Best Actor in a TV Series || Albert Pla || |- | Roger Casamajor || |- | rowspan = "2" | Best Actress in a TV Series || Ana Rujas || |- | Lola Dueñas || |- | rowspan = "21" | | rowspan = "11" | 11th Feroz Awards || colspan = "2" | Best Drama Series || || rowspan = "11" | |- | rowspan = "3" | Best Main Actress in a Series || Lola Dueñas || |- | Macarena García || |- | Ana Rujas || |- | Best Main Actor in a Series || Roger Casamajor || |- | rowspan = "3" | Best Supporting Actress in a Series || Amaia || |- | Irene Balmes || |- | Carmen Machi || |- | rowspan = "2" | Best Supporting Actor in a Series || Albert Pla || |- | Biel Rossell Pelfort || |- | Best Screenplay in a Series || Javier Calvo, Javier Ambrossi, Nacho Vigalondo, Carmen Jiménez || |- | rowspan = "6" | 32nd Actors and Actresses Union Awards || rowspan = "2" | Best Television Actress in a Leading Role || Ana Rujas || || rowspan = "6" | |- | Lola Dueñas || |- | rowspan = "2" | Best Television Actress in a Minor Role || Gracia Olayo || |- | Vicenta Ndongo || |- | rowspan = "2" | Best New Actress || Cristina Rueda || |- | Irene Balmes || |- | 7th ALMA Awards || Best Screenplay in a Drama Series || Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo, Carmen Jiménez, Nacho Vigalondo || || |- | rowspan = "2" | 11th Platino Awards || Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Series || Lola Dueñas || || rowspan = "2" | |- | Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or TV Series || Carmen Machi || |- | 71st Ondas Awards || colspan = "2" | Best Drama Series || ||
References
External links