Stream It or Skip It: ‘Toy Boy’ on Netflix, a Murder Drama with a ‘Magic Mike’ Twist

Netflix’s latest Spanish-language sensation follows a stripper out for revenge against the extremely wealthy socialite that may’ve framed him. And while he’s out solving a mystery, his hunky pals get their groove back as a squad of moneymaking strippers. 

TOY BOY: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

Opening Shot: A gorgeous panning shot of beautiful Costa del Sol in Spain, which sets the stage for a lavish divorce party that rages into the night.

The Gist: Jesus Mosquera plays Hugo, a male stripper (not gigolo!) wrongfully accused of beheading a wealthy man—and Hugo looked hella guilty because he just so happened to be having an affair with the victim’s wife. When his conviction is overturned after serving 7 years in prison, he sets out to solve the murder and maybe get a little revenge on his ex, who may or may not have orchestrated the whole bloody affair. And in order to pay the bills, Hugo gets back together with his old stripper buddies, the Toy Boys!

Our Take: I mean, it’s Magic Mike with a murder/revenge plot straight out of a slow burn Netflix crime drama—except it has all the gravitas of a USA original. And I’m not talking about USA’s current crop, like Mr. Robot. I’m talking Silk Stalkings through Burn Notice era USA. That’s not a diss, either, because the melodrama leads to some next level WTF plot turns that had me cackling at the screen.

Just one example: the entire hearing to get Hugo’s original conviction overturned happens between scenes, with the show jump-cutting from the imprisoned hottie consulting with his underdog lawyer to the two of them essentially dusting off their hands saying, “Wow, that went well!” It’s either intentionally or unintentionally ridiculous (it’s hard to tell whether or not the creators are in on the joke) and, I have to be honest, I love that choice.

The stripper subplot is also campy gold, as the Toy Boys all return to the fold to support Hugo one-by-one. It has the feel of a con artist getting the old gang back together for one last heist, except the “heist” is performing a striptease number as construction workers. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Mindhunter and wished there was an interlude wherein a bunch of hunks stripped down to their underwear and grinded to a stanky groove, Toy Boy grants your wish.

But the main thrust of the show has little to do with thrusting. We spend most of our time with Hugo and his young attorney Triana (Elite and Money Heist’s Maria Pedraza), who you just know is going to get the “she’s smoking hot when she takes off her glasses moment” at some point in the season. Their mission: prove Hugo’s innocence before his case is re-tried. Unlike any episode Baywatch, there’s actually enough plot development to hold your attention between thirst-trap sequences.

Toy Boy’s main drawback has to be its length. A 79-minute long pilot episode is a ridiculous ask in this crowded streaming landscape, and there is definitely a moment at the halfway mark that would’ve made for a fine episode break. But it’s not the end of the episode, and neither are the next two possible exits that come and go. It’s long, and while the creators are actually putting some thought into this whodunit, it’s understandable if you feel the urge to fast forward to the next bump and grind.

Sex and Skin: Duh, the show about a squad of male strippers features plenty of sex and skin. In addition to the couple of rowdy stripteases in the pilot episode, there’s also beach and pool scenes featuring speedo-wearing hunks a-plenty, a definitely ill-advised sexual rendezvous against the strip club’s bar, and an orgy scene wherein members of the Marbella elite take a group trip to pleasure town.

Parting Shot: It turns out that the law firm representing Hugo may have ulterior motives.

Sleeper Star: Veteran Spanish actor Pedro Casablanc sinks his teeth into the role of Inspector Zapata, a craggy cop straight out of an over-the-top ’80s crime movie.

Most Pilot-y Line: The episode starts with a real gem: “Imagine your greatest desires: sex, parties money. I have all of that. My name is Hugo Beltran, and I’m a stripper.” That’s it, that’s the show.

Our Call: STREAM IT, if you’re in the mood for some Spanish camp and soapy striptease action, but do not feel any shame about fast-forwarding. 79 minutes, are you kidding me?

Stream Toy Boy on Netflix