Netflix has released Almost Family, a new comedy that places Brazilian star Leandro Hassum at the center of a classic rivalry. Known in its original Portuguese as Família, Pero No Mucho, the film’s comedic engine is the deeply rooted, often-parodied rivalry between Brazil and Argentina. The story ignites when a proud Brazilian father is forced to spend time with his daughter’s new Argentine in-laws. This film is a Brazilian production and should not be confused with an unrelated American television series of the same name.
The plot follows Otávio, played by Hassum, whose world is turned upside down when he meets the family of his daughter Mariana’s fiancé. The cultural clash is immediate, but the conflict escalates when the two families embark on a trip to the Argentine tourist city of Bariloche. There, the vacation becomes a battleground for a series of one-upmanships and gags fueled by national pride, tapping into the well-known dynamic between the two countries, famous for its intensity on the football pitch.
The film’s central conflict is personified by its leads. Leandro Hassum, one of Brazil’s most recognizable comedians from film franchises like Até que a Sorte nos Separe, plays the Brazilian patriarch. His direct counterpart is respected Argentine actor Gabriel Goity, a casting choice that creates an on-screen representation of the cultural face-off. The cast also includes Júlia Svacinna as the daughter caught between the feuding families, alongside an ensemble featuring Simón Hempe, Karina Ramil, and João Menna Barreto.
This project is a reunion for Hassum and director Felipe Joffily, who previously worked together on the film adaptation of Hassum’s popular TV show, Os Caras de Pau em O Misterioso Roubo do Anel. Joffily is also known for directing other Brazilian comedies like Muita Calma Nessa Hora. The screenplay was written by Leandro Soares and Lucas Blanco. The film is produced by Camisa Listrada, the company behind other successful Netflix-Hassum collaborations, including the international hit Just Another Christmas and the series Reporting for Duty, signaling a continued investment in a proven formula for the global market.
Almost Family is a family comedy built on a specific and potent cultural rivalry. With a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes and a 13+ rating, the film is now available for streaming. Almost Family was released globally on Netflix on July 18, 2025.
