Netflix today premieres ‘The Heart Knows’ (original title: ‘Corazón Delator’), an Argentine romantic drama poised to explore the intricate landscapes of love, identity, and the indelible marks left by past lives. The film presents a poignant premise: a man, fundamentally altered by a heart transplant, embarks on an unforeseen odyssey that challenges his understanding of himself and forges an unexpected and profound connection.
The film’s central idea—a love story that aspires to transcend even death—coupled with the dramatic catalyst of a heart transplant, immediately signals a narrative rich in emotional stakes. This premise is inherently compelling, suggesting a journey where the boundaries of self blur and new affections blossom from the remnants of a past love. The global platform offered by Netflix ensures that this Argentine production, with its distinct cultural voice, can reach a worldwide audience, inviting international viewers to discover its potentially universal themes.
A Transplanted Life, A Borrowed Love: Unraveling the Narrative
‘The Heart Knows’ delves into the extraordinary transformation of Juan Manuel (or Manuel), a man initially depicted as a “cold-hearted businessman” or, in another description, a “once carefree entrepreneur.” His life takes an irrevocable turn upon receiving a heart transplant from Pedro, a “humble man.” This life-saving procedure becomes the wellspring of a profound internal metamorphosis. Manuel experiences a significant personality shift, an alteration so compelling it drives him to investigate the life of his donor.
This search into Pedro’s world leads Manuel to a fateful encounter with Valeria (Vale), Pedro’s widow. An undeniable, almost preternatural connection sparks between them. Vale, in turn, seems to perceive something familiar in this stranger, recognizing “her late husband’s kind heart” resonating within Manuel. As Manuel immerses himself further in Pedro’s former life and community, he falls deeply in love with Vale. However, this burgeoning romance is overshadowed by a critical secret: Manuel conceals his true identity and the fact that Pedro’s heart now beats in his chest.
The narrative employs the speculative, yet dramatically potent, concept of cellular memory as the engine for Manuel’s transformation and his subsequent bond with Vale. The “personality change” is not merely a psychological response to a near-death experience; it is portrayed as an intrinsic shift, as if the very essence of the donor has been imprinted upon the recipient. This allows Manuel’s journey—his investigation into Pedro’s life, his burgeoning love for Vale, and his altruistic efforts to save Pedro’s neighborhood—to stem from an organic, almost involuntary evolution rather than a purely conscious decision.
The film establishes a clear thematic dichotomy between Manuel’s former existence in the potentially ruthless world of business and the rooted, community-oriented life of his donor, Pedro. The heart transplant forces a collision of these contrasting value systems within Manuel himself. His internal struggle and subsequent actions, particularly his fight “to save Pedro’s neighborhood,” become a commentary on these differing approaches to life, highlighting themes of empathy, class, and the re-evaluation of personal priorities.
Central to the dramatic tension is Manuel’s deception. While perhaps initially born from the sheer difficulty of revealing such an extraordinary truth, his concealment of the heart’s origin as his feelings for Vale deepen creates a precarious foundation for their relationship. This raises compelling ethical questions: Can a love built on such a fundamental omission be truly genuine? And can it withstand the inevitable revelation? The high stakes of this hidden truth promise a narrative fraught with emotional complexity and moral dilemmas.
The Director’s Imprint: The Lens of Marcos Carnevale
At the helm of ‘The Heart Knows’ as both writer and director is Marcos Carnevale, an established figure in Argentine cinema. Carnevale has cultivated a distinctive directorial voice, often characterized by a sensitive blend of romance, comedy, and drama. His filmography consistently demonstrates a focus on human connection, empathy, and the nuanced exploration of social issues and prejudices, often approached with a light yet poignant touch.
Carnevale’s body of work, including acclaimed titles like ‘Elsa & Fred’ (2005) and ‘Anita’ (2009), reveals a penchant for heartfelt narratives that resonate deeply on an emotional level. Particularly relevant to ‘The Heart Knows’ are his successful prior collaborations with lead actress Julieta Díaz. Films such as ‘Lionheart’ (Corazón de León, 2013), ‘My Love or My Passion’ (El fútbol o yo, 2017), and ‘I’m Not Your Mommy’ (No soy tu mami, 2019) saw the director and actress explore similar thematic territories of overcoming personal and societal barriers in the pursuit of love and understanding. For instance, critical appreciation for ‘Lionheart’ highlighted its “humorous language to talk about quite serious things” and Carnevale’s “sincere direction… that was not afraid to get dramatic and serious when necessary.”
At the Heart of the Story: Benjamín Vicuña and Julieta Díaz
The emotional core of ‘The Heart Knows’ rests on the shoulders of its lead actors: Benjamín Vicuña as the transformed Juan Manuel and Julieta Díaz as the widowed Vale. Vicuña, a Chilean actor with a significant background in theater, having studied at the University of Chile, brings extensive experience from a wide array of film and television projects in both Chilean and Argentine productions. He previously worked with Marcos Carnevale on the 2023 film ‘Dad on the Run’ (Papá al rescate), indicating a pre-existing professional relationship. His role as Juan Manuel is particularly demanding, requiring a convincing portrayal of a character evolving from a “cold-hearted” individual to someone imbued with new empathy and purpose. This transformation is the linchpin of the narrative, and Vicuña’s ability to convey this internal duality—the lingering traces of his old self battling against, and ultimately yielding to, the compassionate influence of Pedro’s heart—will be crucial.
Julieta Díaz, a celebrated Argentine actress, is a frequent and trusted collaborator of director Marcos Carnevale. Their shared filmography includes ‘Lionheart,’ ‘My Love or My Passion,’ and ‘I’m Not Your Mommy,’ projects that often showcased Díaz’s talent for portraying complex, relatable women navigating significant emotional challenges. As Vale, Díaz is tasked with embodying grief, resilience, and the cautious vulnerability of opening up to new love under the most extraordinary and bewildering circumstances. Given her proven synergy with Carnevale, Díaz is well-positioned to serve as the film’s emotional anchor, grounding Vale’s journey with authenticity.
While both actors are established talents and Vicuña has a history of prior work with the director, the specific romantic chemistry between Vicuña and Díaz, within the unique and somewhat fantastical premise of ‘The Heart Knows,’ will be a pivotal element for the film’s success. The narrative requires a delicate balance: Vale must be believably drawn to Manuel, partly because he embodies qualities of her late husband, yet she must also connect with Manuel as an individual. The success of this on-screen dynamic will largely determine the audience’s investment in their unconventional love story.
About the Production
‘The Heart Knows’ is an Argentine production, filmed in Spanish, further cementing its cultural identity. The film comes to the screen through a collaboration of production companies: Kuarzo Entertainment Argentina and Leyenda Films, both local entities, joined by the significant involvement of Sony Pictures International Productions. This partnership with a major international player like Sony suggests a strategic ambition for the film to resonate with audiences beyond its domestic market, an aim further supported by its global release on Netflix.
Adding a tangible sense of place, filming locations include Lanús, a district in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina, with specific mention of Parque Central Las Colonias. This specific Argentine setting is likely to lend an authentic cultural texture to the story, making the community Manuel becomes a part of, and fights to protect, feel more vivid and real.
While Benjamín Vicuña and Julieta Díaz lead the cast, they are supported by a strong ensemble of Argentine actors, including Gloria Carrá, Peto Menahem, Julia Calvo, Yayo Guridi (also listed as Yayo Guridis), Bicho Gómez, and Facundo Espinosa, among others. A more extensive list also includes Verónica Hassan, Javier De Nevares, Mariano Sayavedra, Christian Marchi, Manuel Da Silva, Anasofia Facello, Mili Schauer, and Lisandro Fiks. Such a robust supporting cast can significantly enrich the narrative, providing depth and dimension to the world Manuel enters and the community surrounding Vale.
Delving into the Mysteries of the Heart
Those familiar with Marcos Carnevale’s previous work, particularly his fruitful collaborations with Julieta Díaz, will find the emotional depth and familiar comforts of his directorial style. The film offers an exploration of universal human experiences—love, loss, the search for self, and the profound capacity for change—all refracted through a unique and thought-provoking narrative lens.
As ‘The Heart Knows’ begins streaming today, it invites audiences to reflect on the invisible connections that bind us and the mysterious ways in which the heart, in all its capacities, may indeed know truths that lie beyond ordinary understanding.
Where to Watch “The Heart Knows”
