Richard Madden Is So Hot In ‘Ibiza’, It Might Get Me To Finally Watch ‘Game of Thrones’

While my friends, the internet, and the world as a whole have all tried for years to get me to watch Game of Thrones, I just haven’t gone for it. Yet. Because who knew all it would take was a Netflix original comedy movie about a work trip turned girls trip to make me consider jumping into HBO’s biggest drama.

While Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer and Phoebe Robinson star as gal pals I would also like to party and be friends with in Ibiza, it’s the romantic lead of Richard Madden as DJ Leo West that raised my eyebrows and my heart rate.

Let’s break down the reasons why:

He’s very hot.

No arguments there, surely.

He’s perfect in this romantic role.

I’m sure as Robb Stark, Game of Thrones had him wearing way too many layers and frowns, which is not true for Ibiza. Madden’s tried on the leading male role before in Cinderella, but he truly excels in this modern part. For example, his character Leo points at Jacobs’ Harper from the stage, motioning for her to come backstage so he can wipe off the blacklight dick she was unaware had been drawn on her face. If that’s not modern romance, then what even is? 2018 is taking the meet cute to a whole new level, y’all!

Leo is a total fantasy character, but one that Madden figured out a perfect way to bring to life. He’s a successful and talented DJ who also happens to be bashful and adorable and even dorky. The hot accent is only hotter when he’s leaving rambling voicemails, the kind of voicemail you would not only listen to, but would download for repeat listens as well. Hell, Leo’s even the kind of guy that bothers to call back a number he doesn’t recognize. What a dreamboat.

Plus, DJs are inherently hot. Madden knew how to act as though he was turning the knobs with precision up that on that stage, but the character also looks like he’s having fun. We all want a man who enjoys what he does and then rakes in the dollars too, so it’s no wonder that Harper, and us as viewers, are all entranced by that smile of his.

At one point in the film, Leo tells Harper that hanging with her is “funny and easy” and that’s precisely what Madden turns out to be here as well. Their romance isn’t plagued by a series of speed bumps or misunderstandings: once they’re together it’s sweet and sexy and fun to watch. This isn’t a guy that big-times her or shows off; he listens to her and goes along with her plan to spend the night together and is charmed by her. He’s not afraid to tell her he likes her and be vulnerable and admit things, and Madden brings an earnest quality to Leo that makes this actually believable and nice. Plus, this dude not only looks good the morning after (miracle number one), he then hops into his pants and shoes and accompanies her to the airport, calming her down and kissing her in the cab. Come on!

He’s so good I might watch Game of Thrones.

Madden is great in this movie, and while the hotness helps, the real achievement is his acting. The film is a fun romp, one that doesn’t quite have the highest of stakes or even really a point or a message or any of that, but that’s exactly why it’s so fun. It feels like an escape to a fantasy land, where Madden is the tour guide. I’m pleased that a quick Google search tells me they didn’t make him grow his head or facial hair out too long on Game of Thrones (which not all GoT actors can claim), but it’s his acting skills that just might convince me to watch the seven seasons of that show I’ve avoided for so long — maybe even committing to the seasons he’s not in. I’ve gotta see what else this guy can do, and how hot he can be while doing it. All I’ve been hearing about are dragons and incest, but if you told me this guy was in there, looking like that, maybe I would’ve jumped on board sooner.

Where to watch Ibiza