Santiago Segura's "Torrente for President" smashed Spanish box office records with €7.25 million ($8.3 million) in its opening weekend, marking the biggest film debut in Spain since 2019. The sixth installment in Segura's crude comedy franchise features cameos from Hollywood outcasts Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin — actors American studios won't touch but European filmmakers are embracing with remarkable commercial success.
The phenomenon reveals a striking divide in how the entertainment industry handles controversial talent. While Hollywood maintains its distance from figures like Spacey, whose career ended amid sexual assault allegations, and Baldwin, who faces ongoing legal troubles from the "Rust" shooting, Spanish cinema is proving there's still a global appetite for their work.
"Torrente for President" didn't just break records — it obliterated them. The film achieved the best opening gross for a Spanish title since "Spanish Affair 2" earned €8.8 million in 2015, and ranks as the fourth-best local opening in Spanish cinema history. Sony Pictures Spain announced that no 16+ comedy from anywhere had ever opened so successfully.
The casting choices were deliberate provocations. Spacey channels his "House of Cards" persona as "the most powerful man in the world," explaining to Torrente's character who really rules the globe. Baldwin reprises his heavily made-up Donald Trump caricature from "Saturday Night Live." Both actors deliver what sources describe as sardonic, scene-stealing performances that audiences are clearly embracing.
Segura, who created, directed, and stars as the perpetually drunk, racist ex-cop Torrente, has built a franchise that mirrors Spain's political evolution. When Torrente first appeared in 1998, he was seen as a throwback to Franco-era attitudes. Now, with the far-right Vox party as Spain's third-largest political force, the character feels disturbingly contemporary.
"What's striking is that Torrente is an abhorrent, fascist, Francoist, machista alcoholic yet people see him right at home in politics," Segura told Variety. "Phrases from Torrente's speeches are taken from real-life politicians, on the right and on the left."
The film's marketing strategy was as unconventional as its casting. Sony Pictures Spain released no stills or cast details until opening day, publishing the trailer four days after release. This secrecy amplified audience curiosity and social media buzz, contributing to word-of-mouth that propelled the film to account for nearly 70% of Spain's total weekend box office.
Critics have praised the film's political satire. "It's the best political film in Spanish cinema in a decade, visceral humor, discomfiting and revolutionary," wrote Fausto Fernández in "Fotogramas" magazine. Audiences burst into rare applause after screenings, according to reports from Madrid theaters.
The Torrente franchise has generated massive numbers over its 28-year run. The first five installments accumulated 15 million admissions and €82 million ($94.3 million) in gross revenue, according to Comscore Movies. Industry analysts predict "Torrente for President" could reach €25 million ($28.75 million) in final gross, especially if momentum continues through Easter Week.
"Creating a national phenomenon in the shape of a film and sparking a public debate around it — one in which everyone wants to actively participate — is a feat few can achieve," said Ivan Losada Gamst, managing director of Sony Pictures Spain. "It is an honor for us to stand alongside Santiago Segura's immense talent and unwavering courage."
- 15 million total admissions across first five films
- €82 million cumulative box office since 1998
- Each film pays homage to different genres — from Italian Neorealism to Ocean's Eleven
- Reflects Spain's political evolution from post-Franco democracy to current populist tensions
The international implications extend beyond Spain's borders. Film Factory Entertainment is handling international sales, suggesting European distributors may be willing to acquire content featuring Hollywood's persona non grata actors. This creates an alternative ecosystem where talent deemed untouchable by major American studios can still find profitable outlets.
Segura's willingness to work with controversial figures reflects a broader European approach to separating artistic work from personal scandals. While American entertainment companies prioritize brand safety and public relations concerns, European filmmakers appear more willing to take calculated risks for compelling performances.
The success also highlights changing audience attitudes toward political correctness in comedy. Torrente's deliberately offensive character now seems almost quaint compared to real-world political figures, creating space for satirical commentary that audiences find both hilarious and cathartic.
Segura originally planned to flee Spain if the film failed, keeping his bags packed for departure on opening day. Instead, he's considering the franchise's future. "I'd like to finish the saga here because it's been really liked," he said. "But if in 10 years time I have another good idea I wouldn't mind repeating."
Whether "Torrente for President" represents a sustainable model for rehabilitating controversial talent remains unclear. But its record-breaking success proves that European audiences, at least, are ready to separate performance from persona — and willing to pay handsomely for entertainment that American studios won't provide.