What begins as a quiet addition to Netflix’s expansive international film catalogue has now erupted into one of the platform’s most divisive moments yet.
Viewers expecting a thought-provoking drama have been left stunned, with many describing the film as deeply disturbing and emotionally intense. The title in question, though critically acclaimed, has turned living rooms into battlegrounds of opinion across social media.
The movie, quietly added to Netflix’s lineup, initially flew under the radar until online reactions catapulted it to trending status. Audiences quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to vent their shock and disbelief.
“Absolutely disgusting movie,” one viewer posted bluntly.
Another wrote, “No, no. Double no. Absolutely not.”
A third user warned others: “This is way too much for Netflix.”
One particularly disturbed comment read, “Wtf is this doing on Netflix. I can’t imagine what it would do to the sensibilities of unsuspecting families opening it for a mindless Sunday viewing.”
Despite the outrage, others are calling it a modern masterpiece that deserves every second of screen time. They praise its raw emotionality and bold storytelling.
“A classic. If you haven’t seen it, drop everything and watch,” one fan urged.
“I’ve seen it many times, and notice something new with each viewing,” another added.
“This movie doesn’t disappoint. It’s s*xy as hell, and incredibly touching,” someone else declared.
The polarizing film is none other than “Y Tu Mamá También”, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, known globally for his Oscar-winning work on Gravity and Roma.
This 2001 Mexican road movie, now streaming on Netflix, follows two teenage boys and an older woman on a journey through Mexico, layered with intense themes of desire, class conflict, and mortality.
What viewers weren’t prepared for is its graphic portrayal of teenage s*xuality, drug use, and full-frontal n*dity.
These elements led to the film receiving an NC-17 rating in the United States and an 18+ label in Mexico, sparking a heated legal battle between the filmmakers and the Mexican ratings board. Director Cuarón claimed the board was acting illegally and infringing on parents’ rights.
While its *xplicit nature continues to spark controversy, many critics argue that the film’s brilliance lies beneath the surface. Set during the final days of Mexico’s one-party regime, Y Tu Mamá También is more than a coming-of-age drama. It’s a political and social commentary wrapped in a story of fleeting youth and emotional vulnerability.
The film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, a Golden Globe nomination, and was ranked among Empire’s 100 Best Films of World Cinema.
Love it or loathe it, the film has once again ignited a fierce conversation on censorship, artistic freedom, and how far streaming platforms should go in pushing boundaries.
As one supporter summed it up: “They show everything. And somehow, they still tell a beautiful story.”
Feature Image Credit: Netflix
