Skip to content
MovieCove
Jefe

Jefe

201889 minTV-MAMidcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films
Director
Sergio Barrejón
Starring
Luis Callejo, Juana Acosta, Carlo D'Ursi, Josean Bengoetxea

Cesar is 'the boss', the one everyone hates, the one some flatter and the one nobody tells the truth; the great successful businessman is on the edge of the precipice. One night his actions crumble down, his partners betray him and his wife kicks him out of the house. Entrenched in his office, he tries relentlessly to recover his company and his life. But he will not do it alone, César will find a very special ally, Ariana, the cleaner of the night shift.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Jefe?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Jefe streaming on Netflix.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Jefe?

Jefe earns 2 badges, led by Broadly Agreed and Award Nominee.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Jefe worth watching?

Jefe's Midcredits score is the 23rd percentile of all films, from 2K ratings across 4 sources. 26% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

23rd percentile

Better received than 23% of films

24th percentile among Comedy24th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)32nd
Approval (how many liked it)17th

56 /100

32nd percentile of all films

35th percentile among Comedy34th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

26% liked it

17th percentile of all films

16th percentile among Comedy16th percentile among 2010s
26% rated it 7–1074% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 2 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

63rd percentile

2K ratings across platforms

58th percentile among Comedy66th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 32% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$29K

14th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Fans praised

  • Strong lead performance by Luis Callejo as a deeply flawed but compelling boss
  • Heartfelt character moments and a surprisingly original romance
  • Entertaining blend of comedy and drama with a relevant workplace power-relations theme

Detractors panned

  • Predictable plot that telegraphs its ending from the start
  • Empty, poorly executed script with unrealistic character behavior
  • Pretentious, boring, and unfunny

What stands out

ActingDivisive60

Callejo's portrayal of a vulgar, fast-talking CEO praised; some call unrealistic

CharactersDivisive55

Flawed boss and strong female cleaner ring true to fans; detractors find them empty

OriginalityDivisive55

A rare theme in Spanish cinema but derivative in execution

Emotional impact55

Heartfelt moments and finding inner child work for some

Dialogue50

Mentions of an adapted script nominee but no specifics on wit or naturalism

Pacing50

Weird pacing noted by a fan, not widely discussed

HumorDivisive50

Light smirks and amusing touches for fans; detractors find it not funny

Plot and storyDivisive45

Predictable story with inconsistent execution

Watch experience

What is Jefe like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is funny and leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
TenseHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film balances comedic moments with dramatic stakes, treating its flawed protagonist with a mix of affectionate humour and sincerity.
The rideThe one-week deadline and mounting crises create tension, but the alliance with the cleaning lady introduces hope and lighter moments.
StructureThe story appears linear, following César's week-long struggle in his office.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a warm, feel-good sensation as the protagonist finds both redemption and love, giving hope for second chances.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% (this title) · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Redemption: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA CEO's life collapses when his wife leaves, his associates betray him, and his company fails; over one week, with the help of a cleaning lady, he tries to rebuild everything and himself.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfClassPower
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% (this title) · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Power

Class · 3% of filmsFriendship · 9% of filmsRedemption · 6% of films: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeExplores the clash between the CEO's high-status world and the cleaning lady's working-class perspective, with a bond forming across that divide.
StanceThe film observes the power gap and personal crises without overtly celebrating or satirizing, focusing on two characters from different worlds.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score
Settinga high-rise office building in a major European city
MusicCredited composers Jimmy Barnatán and Ana Álvarez Prada likely provide a light, contemporary score.

Content guide

Is Jefe okay for kids?

TV-MA

Jefe is rated TV-MA. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at moderate (58/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (100/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/16
  • RO18
  • SpainAPTA
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (16 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Jefe have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Jefe?

Cast

Luis Callejo
as César
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Juana Acosta
as Ariana
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Carlo D'Ursi
as Gómez
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Josean Bengoetxea
as Javier
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bárbara Santa-Cruz
as Teresa
Maika Barroso
as Jimena
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Adam Jezierski
as Charly
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sergio Quintana
as Garrido
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Diana Lázaro
as Laura
Teo Planell
as Diego

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Jefe?

The closest match to Jefe is Gung Ho (1986); both are films about class.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Jefe?

1.1K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: tycoon. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.