Julio Torres’ creative ventures are as easily identifiable as they are difficult to replicate. Unabashedly self-indulgent, Torres’ previous works — Los Espookys (2019) and Problemista (2023) — have been marked by an embrace of the odd, the queer, and the culturally distinct. His latest HBO show, Fantasmas, performs on a highly ambitious scale, where the audience experiences New York through Torres’ unique, surreal perspective. Borrowing from his past experience as a writer for Saturday Night Live (SNL), Torres delivers a comforting fever dream through an intricate tapestry of sketches.
In Fantasmas, Torres portrays an aspiring writer and actor named Julio. Julio faces systemic challenges related to housing and healthcare, setting up a narrative that feels both personal and socially relevant. His looming eviction and a suspicious-looking mole are crises that metaphorically straddle the line between reality and fantastical absurdity. The plot takes an intriguing turn when Julio’s only salvation appears in the form of a lost oyster-shaped golden earring. As the episodes progress, Julio embarks on a quest across the vast expanse of New York City to recover this elusive piece of jewelry. His journey is punctuated by encounters with a host of eccentric New Yorkers, each adding a unique hue to the kaleidoscope of Torres’ world.
The show kicks off with Julio in a cab, indulging in a peculiar family sitcom. In this vignette, Paul Dano plays a suburban dad who warmly welcomes a lost alien into his household, only to eventually abandon his family for it. This is just one of several meta-narratives that occasionally pause Julio’s main storyline. Another notable vignette features Julia Fox as Mrs. Claus, who testifies against an elf, played by Bowen Yang, in a legal case against Santa. Emma Stone, doubling as an Executive Producer, appears in a satirical reality show portraying the lives of affluent New York housewives.
. Amidst these surreal interludes, Julio reveals his peculiar ability to “feel the inner lives of shapes and colours and sounds and numbers and letters.”
Fantastical questions, such as whether the letter ‘Q’ appears too early in the alphabet, may initially feel jarring. However, Steve Buscemi’s portrayal of an identity crisis-stricken ‘Q’ alleviates these anxieties, underscoring Torres’ strength as a multifaceted creative. Having written and directed all six episodes, Torres masterfully balances his whimsical vision with precision. Cameos by Dylan O’Brien and Aidy Bryant contribute to the series without overshadowing the main narrative or its meticulous crafting. Each sketch, entertaining and sometimes disconcerting, finds its rightful place within the tightly-woven script, proving Torres’ adeptness at integrating varied elements harmoniously, even the odd instance of the letter ‘Q’!
The production design of Fantasmas bolsters its ethereal atmosphere, situating viewers within an intricate artifice where even a goldfish wields executive powers. Cinematographer Sam Levy leverages the show’s soundstage setting to amplify its dreamlike ambiance. Strategic camera work often peels back the layers of the set, revealing its skeletal structure while Julio navigates through sham façades. The show’s depiction of New York relies on blurry projections that actors dodge, emphasizing the surreal quality of this universe.
Despite its flights of fancy, Fantasmas remains grounded in Julio’s struggles with housing and healthcare. These themes not only anchor the narrative but also resonate through the various sketches, infusing a sense of grounded reality amid the fantastical elements.
In summary, Julio Torres’ Fantasmas unfolds as a miraculous entity in today’s television landscape. Its integrity and creative uniqueness are rare, mirroring the singular voice of Torres himself. While Fantasmas may not cater to every viewer’s tastes, it unfurls a tempest of innovation and entertainment that is hard to ignore. Fantasmas is an unmissable experience for those willing to embrace its peculiar charm.
All episodes of Fantasmas are currently streaming on JioCinema.
