2024 has been the year of Julio Torres. The multifaceted comedian released his A-24 film Probelmista with an 86% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, completed a national standup tour, and debuted his TV show Fantasmas on HBO.
Much in the same vein as Torres’ absurdist comedy, Problemist, Fantasmas follows the comedian as he embarks on a reality-bending quest. Poignant about the immigrant and queer experience in America, Fantasmas hides its depth behind dry humor and insane plot points. The first season follows Julio, played by Julio Torres, as he sets out to find a golden oyster earring he lost in a club. Combining elements of fantasy with the mundane, Fantasmas demands fans don’t take it too seriously, lest they get lost in the jumps from quick to slow pacing.
Much like the cult classic Broad City, Fantasmas uses the grotesque underbelly of New York City as a secondary character, providing much fodder for comedy. Unlike many shows set in New York, however, Torres’ character is likelier to come off as the subway stranger than the usual straight man reacting to New York’s nonsense. His encounters with guest stars as he continues his search for the lost oyster often progress into wacky sketches that weave their way back into the main plot.
Fantasmas is a fun comedy, perfect for fans of sketch programs like I Think You Should Leave and Portlandia who desire more connections in the humorous vignettes. It shows off Torres’ brilliant writing while also featuring other up-and-coming queer comedy voices, including Bowen Yang, Jaboukie Young-White, and Ziwe Fumudoh. The series currently holds a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Though season two has yet to be confirmed, Torres has teased fans to expect more from his bizarre comedy. Fantasmas is the most original program to reach TV screens in a climate that seems only to value remakes and sequels.
