Vivo

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Vivo is available in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Lin-Manuel Miranda leads a cast with real comic timing. Start it on Netflix whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Vivo arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Vivo from the crowd. A music-loving kinkajou named Vivo embarks on the journey of a lifetime to fulfill his destiny and deliver a love song for an old friend. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ynairaly Simo lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2021. Vivo earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Vivo respects your intelligence. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Lin-Manuel Miranda's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.