The Manny: A Rancher Redefines Modern Parenting

Sandra Echeverría’s Jimena is mid-panic, her three kids a tornado of chaos as she tries to corral them out the door for school while simultaneously preparing for a high-stakes meeting at work. The scene is a masterclass in controlled pandemonium, a snapshot of modern parenting that feels achingly real. Enter Iván Amozurrutia’s Gabriel, a rancher with a heart of gold and hands that seem to have been made for wrangling unruly children. This opening sequence sets the stage for The Manny (2023), Netflix‘s latest comedic offering that dares to ask: what happens when you challenge every stereotype about caregiving, gender, and love?

At its core, The Manny is a series about subversion—subverting expectations, subverting norms, and ultimately, subverting the very idea of what it means to be a caregiver in today’s world. Jimena, played with a perfect blend of exasperation and determination by Echeverría, is a woman at the end of her rope. She’s a high-powered executive trying to keep her professional life afloat while drowning in the day-to-day chaos of single parenthood. When she hires Gabriel—a rugged, no-nonsense rancher—to step in as an emergency nanny, she expects a quick fix. What she gets instead is a full-blown reckoning with her own biases and preconceived notions.

Amozurrutia’s Gabriel is a revelation. He’s not your typical nanny—no frilly apron or cooing baby talk here. Instead, he brings a no-nonsense approach to caregiving that challenges Jimena at every turn. His interactions with the kids are a highlight of the series, filled with moments of genuine warmth and humor. The scene where Gabriel teaches Jimena’s youngest how to saddle a toy horse using a belt is a standout, showcasing Amozurrutia’s ability to balance toughness with tenderness.

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The supporting cast is equally strong. Diana Bovio as Brenda, Jimena’s best friend and confidante, provides much-needed comic relief while also serving as a sounding board for Jimena’s struggles. Alexander Tavizón as Santiago, Jimena’s ex-husband, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, forcing Jimena to confront her past and the choices that led her to where she is today.

The series excels in its exploration of gender roles and societal expectations. It asks tough questions about why we assume certain roles are inherently “masculine” or “feminine,” and it does so without resorting to heavy-handed messaging. Instead, The Manny lets these themes emerge organically through the characters’ interactions and experiences.

However, The Manny is not without its flaws. The pacing can be inconsistent, with some episodes feeling rushed while others drag on too long. The romantic tension between Jimena and Gabriel, while engaging, sometimes feels forced, as if the show is trying too hard to fit into a familiar trope rather than carving out its own path.

The series also struggles with tonality. At times, it leans too heavily into broad comedy, undermining the more serious themes it aims to explore. This tonal whiplash can be jarring, making it difficult to fully invest in the characters and their journeys. The writing, while generally strong, occasionally succumbs to clichés and predictable plot developments.

Despite these flaws, The Manny offers enough moments of genuine humor and heart to make it a worthwhile watch. Its exploration of parenting, gender roles, and societal expectations is timely and relevant, even if the execution is not always flawless. The performances by Echeverría and Amozurrutia are standout elements, elevating the material with their chemistry and nuanced portrayals.

Comparisons to other comedic family dramas like This Is Us or Modern Family are inevitable, but The Manny carves out its own niche by focusing specifically on the challenges faced by single parents and the societal expectations that come with that territory. It’s a show that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever struggled to balance work and family, or who has ever felt judged for not fitting into a neat little box.

In terms of genre fit, The Manny is a solid addition to the comedy landscape. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does put a fresh spin on familiar themes. The humor is often laugh-out-loud funny, and the heartfelt moments are genuinely touching. However, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of genre-defining works like Parks and Recreation or The Office, which managed to balance comedy and drama with near-perfect precision.

Ultimately, The Manny is a series that aims high but doesn’t quite stick the landing. It’s a charming and often funny exploration of modern family dynamics, but it struggles to find its footing in terms of tone and pacing. The performances are strong, and the themes are timely, but the execution is sometimes uneven.

If you’re looking for a show that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even shed a tear or two, The Manny is worth your time.

Tags: Netflix, comedies, Diana Bovio, Iván Amozurrutia, Sandra Echeverría, The Manny

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