Fans of Netflix’s gay series Smiley compare it to Bros
"Smiley on Netflix was too cute" wrote one fan.
Despite 2022 being nearly over, there’s no shortage of new content being released to keep us busy over the holidays. Just in time, Netflix’s latest LGBTQ series, Smiley, seems to be gaining in popularity.
Released on the streaming service on 7 December, the Spanish series focuses on two men, Álex and Bruno, who are brought together by a wrong phone number.
A synopsis for the series reads: “In Smiley, Álex is heartbroken. He was building fantasies with a boy that, a couple of weeks later, disappeared giving him a perfect ghosting. And he is really upset because of it.
“He picks up the phone and asks out for an explanation in a voicemail that will have unexpected consequences… because he ends up sending it by mistake to Bruno, who he doesn’t know at all.
“This innocent first misleading is the first one in a chain of events that will change Alex and Bruno’s life forever.”
After finishing the eight-episode series one person wrote on Twitter it is “A must see for the hols.”
Someone else who recently finished the series added: “OH MY GOD what a rollercoaster”. They then congratulated ‘Netflix Espana,’ adding, “your brains are so sexy”. They also wished for a second season of the show.
However, many LGBTQ viewers will be wary of doing the same given the rate at which we’re losing LGBTQ shows at the moment on all platforms.
Another review states: “Smiley on Netflix was too cute”
Many applauded the chemistry between the show’s stars, Miki Esparbé (Bruno) and Carlos Cuevas (Álex), comparing it to the gay rom-com, Bros.
Smiley‘s trailer shows us that, much like Bros, the series sees two completely different men drawn together. Much like Bros‘ Aaron, Álex is portrayed as being obsessed with the gym, using two and preferring to go after “Muscle Mary’s eating from your hand”.
“But I’m not like them,” Bruno defiantly states before a passionate love scene ensues.
Smiley‘s trailer also shows off some other LGBTQ representation, again, much like Bros.
Many of those talking about the show online seem to prefer the Spanish series over the Hollywood produced gay rom-com.
One person tweeted in Spanish: “netflix smiley is what billy eichner thought he was doing with bros”
Another person recommending the series to their followers added: “The 8-episode series (in Spanish) succeeds in all the places Bros. did not.”
Similarly, someone else wrote: “I feel this is what bros movie was suppose to be.”
A surprised viewer said: “I didn’t expect to like the Smiley show on Netflix so much. It’s everything Bros tried to be and couldn’t”
Bros debuted earlier this year to “disappointing” box office figures in the United States. The film, written and starring Billy Eichner, saw Eichner’s Bobby meet Aaron, played by Luke Macfarlane.
In classic rom-com fashion, the two try to figure out if they’re compatible with all the usual twists and turns.
Despite the box office figures, Bros received positive reviews from critics with Attitude describing it as “a mostly relatable and witty comedy”.
Smiley is streaming on Netflix.