It’s 2023, and no one in Acapulco, Mexico, has ever experienced a hurricane like Otis — and no one expects to. The storm wasn’t initially considered much of a threat. But within hours, it makes landfall, with deadly consequences. Directed by Jorge Michel Grau (Somos lo que hay), the Mexican film Surviving Hurricane Otis follows two half brothers on that fateful day: Wirpul (Benny Emmanuel), who’s captaining a yacht for the very first time, and Candi (Kristyan Ferrer), who reluctantly takes a day job as a sailor aboard the ship.

As day turns to night, the forecast also turns — and fast. But the yacht is anchored, after all. Can this storm really do that much damage? Wirpul and Candi are about to find out, and must face their relationship issues head-on while they do. Read on to find out about the cast and the true story behind Surviving Hurricane Otis, streaming on Netflix now.

Who’s in the cast of Surviving Hurricane Otis? 

• Benny Emmanuel as Wirpul
• Kristyan Ferrer as Cándido, aka Candi
• Mónica del Carmen as Chayo, Wirpul’s mom
• Mónica Jiménez as Carmen, Candi’s mom
• Andrew Leland Rogers as Nicolás, aka Nico, Wirpul’s boss
• Octavio Michel Grau as Kevin, Wirpul’s shipmate

What’s the plot of Surviving Hurricane Otis?

Wirpul (Benny Emmanuel) is captaining a yacht, the Majestuoso II, for the very first time, and his half brother, Candi (Kristyan Ferrer), is there with him — for the money and not because he wants anything to do with his estranged brother. The pair, who share a father, don’t get along and prefer it that way. But no one else in Wirpul’s life is fit for the gig. Candi is a mechanic, after all, and can fix the yacht if anything goes wrong. Wirpul, meanwhile, is ecstatic about his promotion — it’s not easy to find a steady gig around Acapulco — but his first day as a captain seems more like a boat babysitting job. The Majestuoso, which should be docked safely elsewhere, is anchored offshore so that its millionaire owners can save a little cash. Now, it’s up to Wirpul to man the ship for the day, despite warnings of a storm brewing. It’s an easy job, or would be, if it weren’t for Wirpul’s tense relationship with Candi — and the hurricane that’s picking up speed faster than anyone, even scientists, thought possible. 

What is the true story behind Surviving Hurricane Otis? 

The film is inspired by the stories of Hurricane Otis survivors like Marlon Valdez and Jonathan Trinidad, who were among the crews tasked with watching over luxury boats in Acapulco’s bay when the hurricane struck. Journalist Beatriz Guillén wrote about the two sailors for the newspaper El País, and their story became national news. While sailors like Valdez and Trinidad kept watch on the boats in the bay, Otis quickly grew to a Category 5 hurricane, making landfall near Acapulco on Oct. 25, 2023, and reaching wind speeds of more than 160 mph.

According to the government of the state of Guerrero, Mexico, Otis left 68 people confirmed dead and 32 missing, 24 of them at sea. However, some estimates calculate that the death toll may have exceeded 200. The landscape of Acapulco was devastated: 274,000 homes and 600 hotels were damaged, while more than 800 boats were destroyed. It is estimated that the hurricane caused $16 billion in damage — the costliest storm on record in Mexico. 

What’s the song that Candi keeps playing in Surviving Hurricane Otis? 

It’s “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte” (“I Am Never Going to Forget You”) written by Roberto Belester and recorded by the Mexican band Bronco.