Against Sens 2 // By Domingo González. With Nicole Wallace, Gabriel Guevara and Iván Sánchez.
Against Sens 2the latest part of the Spanish romantic saga broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, divides spectators. This film, the second opus of an announced trilogy, is based on the bestselling novels by Argentinian author Mercedes Ron. This is not without echoing the frankness After which also had its small success before ending its run not in the cinema but on… Prime Video. The latter, initially self-published, explore a controversial theme: a forbidden romance between step-brothers and sisters. But behind this sulfurous plot, the film leaves a mixed impression, oscillating between fascination and frustration. The heart of the story revolves around Noah, a teenager played by Nicole Wallace, whose widowed mother has remarried a wealthy lawyer.
The love between Noah and Nick seems unwavering, despite their parents’ attempts to separate them. But Noah’s job and Nick’s entry into college open their lives to new relationships. The appearance of an ex-girlfriend seeking revenge and Nick’s mother with unclear intentions will shake the foundations not only of their relationship, but also of the Leister family itself. When so many people are out to destroy a relationship, can it really end well?
This marriage propels Noah into a luxurious world, where she meets her new half-brother, Nick. Nick’s irresistible charm makes her succumb to an attraction she can’t control. Their relationship quickly becomes the subject of disapproval of adults, who try by all means to separate them. In this second opus, the stratagems of the “elders” continue, this time with a new tactic: introducing Sofia, an attractive intern in Nick’s father’s law firm. This addition to the story amplifies tensions and tests the love between Noah and Nick, who must confront outside forces while battling their own demons.
The film does not fail to feature sumptuous settings and idyllic locations that reflect the opulent lifestyle of the characters. These environments, while aesthetically pleasing, mainly serve to reinforce the impression that everything in this universe is based on appearance and artifice. However, these sumptuous settings struggle to mask the narrative weaknesses and the rigidity of the actors’ performances. We are witnessing a romance which, although passionate on the surface, is sorely lacking in nuance and emotional depth. In parallel, Against Sens 2 introduces subplots that, while interesting on paper, seem like only superficial diversions. Noah’s friendship with his freshman college roommate, Briar, reveals past ties to Nick, but this dynamic is only briefly explored.
Likewise, Noah’s unlikely passion for illegal car racing – inherited from his late criminal father – could have been a gripping element, but it remains anecdotal, with no real substance or impact on the main story. These subplots, while promising, feel like forced additions to flesh out the narrative. They lack depth and fail to enrich the characters’ narrative arcs. One of the most striking aspects of Against Sens 2 is his surprisingly serious tone. Where a touch of humor or self-deprecation could have lightened the atmosphere and made the characters more endearing, the film chooses to lock itself in a seriousness that sometimes borders on the ridiculous. Each scene seems to want to take itself too seriously, unintentionally amplifying the more melodramatic elements of the story.
This artistic choice, although deliberate, robs the film of the opportunity to stand out. With a hint of irony or levity, it could have transcended its source material and become a more universally appreciated guilty pleasure. Despite its obvious weaknesses, Against Sens 2 is enjoying phenomenal success on Prime Video. How to explain this craze? Probably thanks to a well-researched recipe that targets a specific audience hungry for over-the-top romantic dramas. Fans of the literary saga will find the codes that seduced them, while the careful staging and attractive casting add to its power of attraction. However, it’s hard to ignore reviews that point to hollow dialogue, sometimes mechanical performances, and narrative clichés.
These are elements that limit the film’s accessibility to a wider audience, confining it to a very particular niche. For some, Against Sens 2 represents a thrilling romantic adventure, driven by forbidden tension and moral dilemmas. For others, it’s a perfect example of cinema that sacrifices subtlety for raw emotion. The narrative choices are polarizing, and this is perhaps where the very essence of its success lies: a film that leaves no one indifferent. Ultimately, Against Sens 2 is a work that illustrates the paradoxes of modern entertainment. Although it fails to escape its flaws – uneven acting, sloppy subplots and an absence of humor – it succeeds in captivating an audience seeking thrills and forbidden romances.
Note : 2/10. In short, a sequel that doesn’t bring anything really original or interesting.
Available on Amazon Prime Video
