Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Co-Op and weapon kit promotional image from Treyarch and Raven Studios

    Sharing Gunsmith Builds in Black Ops 7 Is About To Get Much Easier

    08/19/2025
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘The Valet’ Brings Endearing Humor to Hulu

REVIEW: ‘The Valet’ Brings Endearing Humor to Hulu

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez05/18/20224 Mins Read
The Valet - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Valet - But Why Tho

Romantic comedies are one of my favorite genres of film. They’re often the right amount of light and airy while being the right amount of introspective — even if it’s surface-level moments instead of grand sweeping ones. Hulu Original The Valet effectively uses a rom-com set-up to tell a much different story in the process. The Valet is directed by Richard Wong and produced by Ben Odell and Eugenio Derbez and is the English-language remake of the hit 2006 French film of the same name. It stars Eugenio Derbez, Samara Weaving, Max Greenfield, Amaury Nolasco, Carlos Santos, Armando Hernández, and Marisol Nichols.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

In The Valet, world-famous movie star Olivia (Samara Weaving) faces a PR disaster when a paparazzi snaps a photo of her with her married lover, Vincent (Max Greenfield). But, the hard-working valet Antonio (Eugenio Derbez) accidentally appears in the same photo and is enlisted to pose as Olivia’s new boyfriend to help cover up the affair. In need of money, Antonio agrees only for the ruse to turn his life completely upside down in the spotlight and chaos. But while this is a fish out of water romantic comedy, both Olivia and Antonio learn how to meet each other as their cultures collide, and a solid friendship is built along the way.

One of the other amazing things about The Valet is its use of language. While this is an English-language film, there is a lot of Spanish spoken by the characters, and it never once feels out of place. In fact, it felt like the places I worked and my family, and it was just, well, natural. The Valet is funny and endearing in two languages when some movies struggle to execute comedic timing and chemistry in one. This is so extremely clear whenever Antonio is with his friends who also work valet (especially his brother-in-law) and when he’s with his loud, large, and incredibly close family (which in the authentic Mexican sense of the word includes cousins, neighbors, and Mr. Kim’s family too).

But the ability to be funny by working in the idiosyncrasies that Mexican families have into the story is doubled by the fact that Antonio’s family is just loving. There isn’t anything deeply tragic nor some mounting familial pressure. They just love each other. For that point, Carmen Salinas as, Antonio’s mother, is utter perfection. She’s hilarious and open in a way that I hope to see my mom become one day as she shirks her more conservative elements to the side. Abuela talking about sex toys, talking about dating, offering advice on it, too, all of it works to not just provide comic relief but a soul to the film.

The Valet even manages to juxtapose a romantic comedy premise against a quickly gentrifying Los Angeles. While ham-fisted in some parts, the political commentary on a genuine issue works to add humor and context to Antonio’s world. Additionally, the film manages to highlight the absence of Latinos in Hollywood, despite their faces serving rich white celebrities. Racism is on display in The Valet, but not the kind with slurs. It’s the kind that happens when you go to a nice restaurant, and a white person thinks you’re a part of the wait staff. It’s the way people refuse to even look their servers in the eye and treat them like they’re human. It’s the small indignities that pile up and that the film manages to showcase both with humor and with critique.

While Weaving’s Olivia is a fun and lonely fish out of water with her own charisma, this is solidly Derbez’s movie. He’s charismatic and endearing. He’s hilarious and loving. Antonio is literally the best of anyone, and his absolute faith in humanity and himself is something that not only keeps the film wholesome but keeps you invested in him as a character.

The Valet is hilarious and heartfelt. It manages to have some biting critique while still keeping endearing humor at the center propelled by Eugenio Derbez. Looking for a great and fun watch? The Valet is just the right one.

The Valet is available to stream exclusively on Hulu on May 20, 2022. 

The Valet
  • 8.5/10
    Rating - 8.5/10
8.5/10

TL;DR

The Valet is hilarious and heartfelt. It manages to have some biting critique while still keeping endearing humor at the center propelled by Eugenio Derbez. Looking for a great and fun watch? The Valet is just the right one.

  • Watch Now with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca,’ Issue #2
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Toscana’ – Lighter on the Cheese
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa in The Map That Leads to You
8.0

REVIEW: ‘The Map That Leads To You’ Is YA Romance Done Right

08/19/2025
Lurker promotional still from MUBI
10.0

REVIEW: ‘Lurker’ Probes The Intoxication Of Fame

08/19/2025
The Knife (2025) promotional still
7.0

REVIEW: ‘The Knife’ Is Simple And Too Much At The Same Time

08/17/2025
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

08/16/2025
Fixed promotional key art from Netflix Animation
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Fixed’ Is Top-Notch Animation But Bottom Of The Barrel Comedy

08/15/2025
Denzel Washington Highest 2 Lowest
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Has A Ton Of Fun Missing It’s Own Points

08/15/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here