Our Top Picks To Watch on Netflix This Year

Reproductive Rights: Roe v. Wade Overturned

In the 70s, Norma McCorvey, aka Jane Roe, became pregnant for the third time as a single mom in Texas. She decided she didn’t want a third child, but Texas law prohibited abortions, so McCorvey and her lawyers challenged the law’s constitutionality arguing that it violated her right to privacy.

Ultimately, the case reached the Supreme Court, where a 7-2 ruling determined that a woman's decision to have an abortion fell within her constitutional right to privacy. This legalized abortion nationwide and guaranteed women the right to terminate unwanted pregnancies.

Roe v. Wade divided the nation into those who supported the right to life for unborn children and those who supported women’s right to choose. 50 years later, in 2022, this landmark legislation was overturned by SCOTUS in a 6-3 decision. With this legal protection out of the way, individual states are allowed to restrict or fully ban abortions, and that’s exactly what has been happening since.

This SCOTUS ruling has had catastrophic effects, with maternal mortality rising in states where abortion is either restricted or banned. Moreover, abortion bans and restrictions disproportionately affect Black and Latino women, with many losing their lives. Particularly in states like Texas, where Latinos make up 40.2% of the population and abortions are banned after 6 weeks–before many women even realize they’re pregnant.

Affirmative Action: Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina

The 2023 rulings in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina sent shockwaves through the space of higher education. In a 6-3 decision, SCOTUS ended affirmative action policies.

That means that federal-funded American public or private universities can’t consider students’ race in their admissions process. Any advantages given to Black and Latino applicants for a variety of reasons, such as increasing diversity and battling discrimination, no longer exist. This disproportionately affects Black and Latino students.

While college applicants can still discuss how race has influenced their lives in personal essays, this doesn’t lessen the broader impact of the ruling. Dismantling affirmative action policies, which existed to level the playing field for historically disadvantaged racial groups, has led to a decline in minority representation in universities.

The implications for Latino students are particularly noticeable, as one of the groups who benefited most from affirmative action. This SCOTUS ruling severely limits Latinos’ ability to access selective colleges and, therefore, their ability to improve their economic status.

Immigration: United States v. Texas

In 2023, the Supreme Court determined, with an 8-1 decision, that Texas’ deportation law, Senate Bill 4, would go into effect. SB 4 makes it a state crime to cross the border of Mexico and Texas between entry ports. Essentially, anyone suspected of illegally crossing the border could be stopped, detained, and charged with a Class B misdemeanor, facing up to 6 months in jail.

This SCOTUS ruling revises immigration law and limits immigrants’ ability to cross safely into the United States and request asylum. Moreover, it exposes Latinos, even those who have citizenship or permanent residency, to racial profiling. They may now be more likely to be suspected of and harassed by law enforcement simply because they’re not white or don’t look American.

SB 4 also risks damaging the relationship between law enforcement and local immigrant communities. It blurs the lines between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement, causing fear among unauthorized immigrants and their families about interacting with law enforcement due to deportation risks. This fear may lead to a reduction in crime reporting, which can affect the safety of the entire community.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Biden v. Nebraska

2023 was a tough year and it brought another controversial SCOTUS ruling, this time relating to student loan forgiveness. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court overturned the Biden administration’s program to provide student debt relief under the HEROES Act. This represented a major blow to economic and racial justice as the program sought to expand student loan forgiveness.

This SCOTUS ruling specifically affects students who don’t have many resources, particularly Black and Latino students. It makes the unfairness in the American education system even worse. Essentially, the ruling sends the message that only people who can afford a good education are entitled to it, no matter their talents or dreams.

By stopping Biden's plan to help with student debt, the court has said no to lots of people who want to go to school and make their lives better. Essentially, it slows down progress, especially within underprivileged communities. Currently, a new version of Biden’s plan is underway, dubbed Plan B. It’s a broader version of the first one and it’s more focused on specific groups of borrowers to avoid the same fate as the first plan.

Terrorism and Social Media: Gonzalez v. Google LLC

In 2015, Nohemi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old American citizen of Mexican descent, was murdered during a terrorist attack in Paris, France, where she was spending a semester abroad. The day after the attack, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through a written statement and a YouTube video.

Nohemi’s father, Reynaldo Gonzalez, filed an action against Google LLC, claiming they aided and abetted international terrorism by allowing ISIS to use their platform (specifically, YouTube) to issue threats, recruit members, intimidate populations, and plan terrorist attacks. The complaint also alleged that Google’s algorithms helped ISIS spread its message through content suggestions, which are based on viewing history.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the tech giants in a unanimous decision, rejecting the notion that terrorist organizations being allowed to use the platforms makes the companies liable. This is based on Section 230, which provides immunity for tech companies regarding third-party content users create. While many see this ruling as a win for free speech, others criticize the legal liability shield tech platforms have.

Catalina Creel in Cuna de Lobos

María Rubio's portrayal of Catalina Creel in "Cuna de Lobos” is nothing short of iconic. With her fake innocence and murderous schemes, Catalina proves that even a visually impaired woman can be a master manipulator. She'll have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what devilish plan she'll come up with next.

Soraya Montenegro in María la del Barrio

If you haven't heard of Soraya Montenegro, where have you been? Itatí Cantoral's over-the-top portrayal of this diva villainess in "María la del Barrio" is the stuff of legends. From her dramatic slaps to her iconic "maldita lisiada" catchphrase, Soraya has undoubtedly graced us with the most iconic telenovela moments (and GiFs) of all time.

María Fernández Acuña de San Román in La Madrastra

Victoria Ruffo takes the cake as the ultimate wicked stepmother in "La Madrastra." This woman stops at nothing to ruin her stepdaughter's life. Ruffo's performance will leave you with a burning desire to shake some sense into her character. Kudos to Ruffo for making us feel so passionately about hating her!

Rubí Pérez Ochoa in Rubí

Barbara Mori's Rubí in the aptly named telenovela "Rubí" is a real gem among villains. This seductive and ambitious character will claw her way to success, leaving a trail of broken hearts and shattered dreams in her wake. Mori's portrayal is as dazzling as Rubí's craving for wealth and power.

Paola Bracho in La Usurpadora

Meet the ultimate telenovela twins, Paola and Paulina, played by Gabriela Spanic. But it's Paola Bracho, the conniving sister, who steals the show in "La Usurpadora." Spanic's performance is a masterclass in villainy, and you won't be able to resist shouting, "You go, girl!" while she plots her wicked schemes.

Teresa Chávez in Teresa

Angelique Boyer, in her portrayal of the eponymous Teresa Chávez in "Teresa," brings to life a character who is cunning, manipulative, and ruthlessly ambitious. Teresa's relentless pursuit of wealth and power, regardless of the emotional cost to those around her, makes her one of the most riveting villainesses on the small screen.

Angélica Santibañez in Marimar

As Marimar's haughty and bitter aunt-in-law, Angélica takes pleasure in belittling the innocent and unsuspecting Marimar. Chantal Andere brings an unforgettable cruel edge to her character, delivering each insult and scornful smirk with a relish that makes her role as the villainess utterly captivating.

Patricia Fernández in Yo Soy Betty, La Fea

Oh, Patricia Fernández, you conniving beauty! Played to perfection by Lorna Cepeda in "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea," Patricia is the kind of character we all love to despise. As Betty's office nemesis, she stirs up trouble with a glamorous smile on her face and an insatiable ambition in her heart. Patricia's endless attempts to rise through the ranks, often at the expense of others, makes her a villain we can't wait to see brought down to earth!

Malvina Morantes in María Mercedes

The ruthless Malvina Morantes, masterfully portrayed by Laura Zapata in "María Mercedes," is the epitome of an evil, heartless villain. Malvina's disdain for María and her relentless attempts to make her life a living hell make our blood boil. Zapata's performance will leave you shouting at your screen as she effortlessly embodies the wickedness of her character.

Tamara de la Colina in El privilegio de amar

Cynthia Klitbo's Tamara de la Colina in "El privilegio de amar" is a villainess that sends shivers down our spines. Tamara is a manipulative and relentless character, always scheming to get what she wants no matter who she hurts along the way. Her cold-heartedness and devious plots make her a standout villain.

These telenovela villains are the crème de la crème of wickedness, the cream in our coffee, the habanero in our salsa. They make us yell at the screen, gasp in disbelief, and secretly root for their downfall. These ten characters, brought to life by talented actors, have left an indelible mark on the telenovela landscape. So, the next time you find yourself captivated by a villain's evil plot, remember to appreciate the brilliance and charm that these actors bring to the dark side of the telenovela world!

Danielle Perez

Danielle Perez, the self-described “fat b*tch in a wheelchair,” had a very interesting entry into the comedy world. It all started in 2015 when she went viral for winning a treadmill on the game show “The Price Is Right” and turning an awkward situation into a funny one. Her viral moment got her invited onto “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and she made the most out of the momentum. Today, she’s a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer and one of the few Afro-Latinas in the space.

Marcella Arguello

Marcella Arguello is towering over the comedy world at 6’2” and she’s made a name for herself as the self-described “humorous Amazon.” Her comedy shines a light on themes like Latino identity, gender, and race, and she’s known for being witty on the spot - don’t think you can heckle Arguello - her roasts are legendary. Marcella’s comedic timing and punchlines will always get you, you can count on that. As a Latina stand-up comedian, actress, and writer, she’s one of the few Latinas leading the charge in the scene.

Joanna Hausmann

Known for her ranty approach to comedy, Venezuelan-American comedian Joanna Hausmann rose to fame due to her viral sketch comedy videos on YouTube and her time on the Univision show “Flama.” She’s also a talented TV writer who has worked with HBO Max and Disney, an actress and accredited voice actress. Joanna is mostly known for her sketch comedy and for exploring themes like culture, language, politics, and dual identity. Currently, she has a podcast called “Hyphenated” with co-host Jenny Lorenzo, another well-known Latina comedian.

Cristela Alonzo

There’s making a mark, and then there's Cristela Alonzo, a Mexican-American trailblazer. She made history as the first Latina woman to create, produce, write, and star in her own sitcom, “Cristela,” on ABC. She also has a Netflix special, “Lower Classy,” where she hilariously explores themes like Latino stereotypes and her mother’s tough-love approach to parenting, among other things. Crisela is multi-faceted as a stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer, so it’s exciting to see what she will do next.

Melissa Villaseñor

Melissa Villaseñor might look familiar to you because she worked on “Saturday Night Live” from 2016 to 2022, where she delivered hilarious impressions. Melissa is another Mexican-American making waves in the comedy scene not only with her wide range of impressions but also with her stand-up comedy, acting skills, and singing. She’s also a talented illustrator, so Melissa is quite a well-rounded artist with a lot of creativity beyond comedy.

Sasha Merci

Hailing from the Bronx and based in Los Angeles, this second-generation Dominican-American has grown in popularity due to her sketches. She posts mostly on Instagram, and her funny takes and jokes have gone viral several times. Sasha is also a stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and digital creator. She’s a great example of what can happen when you follow your dreams, a message she’s passionate about sharing with her audience.

Aida Rodriguez

Aida Rodriguez is a survivor with a sense of humor. She’s known for her poignant comedy and she came into the spotlight in 2014 as a top ten finalist in the NBC show “Last Comic Standing.” Of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, Aida has made a name for herself in the comedy scene through her stand-up comedy. With her debut comedy special “Fighting Words,” she made history as the first Latina to appear in two specials airing in one month on both HBO Max and Showtime. She’s also an actress, writer, producer, podcaster, and now author, with her book “Legitimate Kid,” a collection of essays exploring how to turn pain and difficulty into laughter.

Jenny Lorenzo

Jenny Lorenzo is part actress, part comedian, and total Cubana. She rose to popularity due to her “Abuela” character on YouTube and hilarious sketches, which she continues making to this day. This character is inspired by her Cuban heritage, and Lorenzo delivers the character with total relatability, which is why it resonates so much with Latino audiences of all nationalities, not just Cuban. Jenny is also an actress, voice actress, writer, and producer. As mentioned earlier, she’s also the co-host of the “Hyphenated” podcast with Joanna Hausmann.

The next time you need a good laugh, be sure to check out the content these talented Latina comedians share with the world. The laughter is guaranteed!