As The Penguin wraps up tomorrow, HBO will be left with a gap in its programming lineup. While the newly released miniseries Like Water for Chocolate may not attract the same level of attention, it’s certainly making a splash with a perfect 100% critic score so far.
Based on Laura Esquivel’s 1989 novel, this adaptation comes after the book’s successful 1992 film version, which became the highest-grossing foreign-language film in the U.S. at the time. The 2024 miniseries stars Irene Azuela and Louis David Horné in a passionate romantic drama set in the early 1900s. The first episode is available now, with new episodes releasing weekly.
Though you may not recognize the cast, the series has a major name behind it: Salma Hayek. As the producer, she’s incredibly proud of the adaptation and hopes viewers will connect with the story. “I’m proud of it and I just want everyone to watch it,” Hayek shared. “I hope it inspires people to do everything with joy and presence, and not take things like food, family, and our loved ones for granted.”
Hayek also opened up about the six years it took to bring the project to life, a reminder of the challenges even major stars face in Hollywood. The story, she explained, speaks to themes of empowerment and breaking free from tradition. “It’s about women taking control of their destinies, dealing with the fear of disappointing our parents, and a forbidden love story with deep significance in its time and place,” she said.
With a perfect 100% score from critics and a solid IMDb rating of 7.7/10, Like Water for Chocolate is off to a strong start. It may not have the same mainstream buzz as some of HBO’s other hits, but it’s shaping up to be a compelling watch for the next six weeks.