Instructions Not Included 2013

As a young boy, Valentín Bravo (played by Andrés Vázquez) was overwhelmed by fear, from spiders to towering heights. His father, Juan “Johnny” Bravo (portrayed by Hugo Stiglitz), believed in tough love and subjected Valentín to harrowing experiences, like forcing a tarantula onto him and tossing him off the dramatic cliffs of La Quebrada. The final straw came when his father locked him in a crypt, leading Valentín to resent him deeply and ultimately run away, declaring he no longer loved him.

Years later, as an adult in Acapulco, Valentín has transformed into a local playboy, indulging in casual flings with tourists—both Mexican and foreign. His carefree life takes an unexpected turn when Julie (played by Jessica Lindsey), a former romantic interest, knocks on his door with a shocking revelation: she has a baby girl, claiming that Valentín is the father. After a brief visit, Julie leaves the baby, Maggie, with Valentín, seeking taxi fare, but she never returns. A phone call from Julie confirms her reluctance to raise the child, leaving Valentín scrambling to return her to the airport, only to miss her flight to Los Angeles.

Faced with the responsibility of his new daughter, Valentín embarks on a journey across Mexico to Tijuana, but his attempt to enter the United States fails when he learns he needs a visa and lacks the funds. Desperate, he sneaks across the border in the hidden compartment of a truck driven by Lupe (played by Agust) alongside many other immigrants. With only a photo of Julie featuring a Los Angeles hotel as a clue, Valentín arrives at the hotel, where disaster strikes when Maggie falls into the pool. In a dramatic moment, Valentín makes a daring ten-story leap from a presidential suite to save her, a stunt that catches the attention of director Frank Ryan (portrayed by Daniel Raymont), who offers Valentín a job as a stuntman—his only means to support Maggie.

Over the next six years, Valentín raises Maggie (now played by Loreto Peralta) in a lively, happy home in Los Angeles, all while establishing himself as a top stuntman in Hollywood. The bilingual Maggie assists her father on film sets, helping him navigate language barriers as he struggles with English. As Valentín navigates fatherhood, he also finds himself compelled to confront his own fears, although he keeps the reality of Maggie’s mother hidden from her by penning fake letters from Julie, detailing exciting adventures that make her absence seem more bearable.

When Maggie expresses a desire to meet her mother, Valentín seeks to find an actress to play Julie, at the behest of Frank. However, Julie soon re-enters Valentín’s life, revealing her transformation into a lawyer involved in a same-sex relationship with Renee (played by Alessandra Rosaldo). This reunion culminates in a painful decision as Julie files for full custody, citing Valentín’s dangerous job and perceived immaturity.

Despite Valentín’s sincerity and heroic actions in saving Maggie, a DNA test reveals he is not her biological father, resulting in him losing custody. Defeated, but not ready to give up, Valentín and Maggie escape back to Acapulco, where he reconnects with old friends and learns of his father’s passing.

Back in Los Angeles, Julie confronts Frank to discover Valentín’s whereabouts. After a tepid promise from Frank, she finds Valentín and Maggie on the beach and surprisingly chooses to drop her custody suit. The trio spends two meaningful weeks together, cherishing their time as a family while Valentín reflects on the fragility of life after a devastating turn of events.

In a heart-wrenching conclusion, Maggie, who has been living with a heart defect, passes away in Valentín’s arms, leaving him alone once more. A year later, Valentín walks the beach with a dog, reflecting on his father’s intentions in helping him build courage and strength. The film ends with a poignant image of Maggie peacefully playing in heaven alongside her grandfather, bringing full circle the film’s exploration of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a father and daughter.