Papi Chulo (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Papi Chulo is a 2019 comedy drama directed by John Butler, starring Alejandro Patiño as Ernesto, Matt Bomer and Wendi McLendon-Covey. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $99,546 worldwide. Critics gave it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- John Butler
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Pacific Northwest Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Papi Chulo About?
The premise of Papi Chulo without spoilers.
A recently separated TV weatherman’s life spirals out of control, leading him to embark on a series of home renovations. He unexpectedly teams up with Ernesto, a charming and skilled Latino handyman, and together they navigate a journey of self-discovery. As they work together, an unlikely friendship develops, helping them overcome personal struggles and cultural differences while finding unexpected connection and support.
Papi Chulo Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay protagonist
- gay interest
- loneliness
- unlikely friendship
- los angeles california
- gay bar
- gay man makes a pass at a straight man
- friendship between men
- gay kiss
- gay
- friendship
- husband wife relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- painting
- deck
- tv news
- toyota prius
- two word title
- hardware store
- crying
- depression
- self loathing
- desperation
- surprise visitor
- television station
- sympathetic to a person's problem
- listening to a recording
- voicemail
- tv weatherman
- tv show in film
- emotional meltdown
- leave of absence
- mourning process
- mexican laborer
- illegal immigrant
- reference to youtube
- grieving over lost love
- rented boat
- macarthur park
- california drought
- listening to car radio
- falling asleep
- reference to driving miss daisy
- hiking trail
- scenic overlook
- male male kiss
- age difference
- backyard party
- ride share
- grindr date
- man in a shower
Papi Chulo Cast & Characters
Alejandro Patiño leads the cast as Ernesto, with Matt Bomer as Sean and Wendi McLendon-Covey as Ash. Directed by John Butler; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director John Butler
-
Alejandro Patiño as Ernesto -
Matt Bomer as Sean -
Wendi McLendon-Covey as Ash - Michael Shepperd as Stan
Also Starring in Papi Chulo
· 6 more- Tom Beyer Floor Manager
- Tommie Earl Jenkins Tom
- Shaughn Buchholz Mike
- Irene White Director
- Elena Campbell-Martinez Linda
- Caitlin Kimball Horticultural Student #1
Papi Chulo Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Papi Chulo 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in sensory experience (50).
Papi Chulo Echo Score Breakdown
In its depiction of an unlikely friendship, Papi Chulo balances moments of genuine empathy with structural unevenness. A number of reviews highlight the film’s tender middle sections and strong lead chemistry, while others note lapses in pacing and inconsistent secondary character development. The narrative subverts expectations in places but sometimes feels undercooked, leading to mixed reactions on its comedic and dramatic beats. Overall, the film offers an engaging if uneven experience that resonates more strongly in its emotional core than in its broader execution.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
In terms of visual craftsmanship, Papi Chulo presents a functional but unremarkable aesthetic. Few commentators singled out cinematography or production design as standout, and occasional editing lags contributed to a sense of uneven pacing in certain sequences. As a result, the film’s art direction and technical design support the story adequately but rarely distinguish the overall presentation.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film excels in its portrayal of the central bond. Lead performances convey nuanced warmth and evolving empathy, creating moments of genuine connection. At the same time, secondary figures receive limited development, and certain emotional beats arrive unevenly. Overall, the compelling lead chemistry anchors the narrative despite occasional character gaps.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story coherence and pacing, Papi Chulo exhibits a mixed performance. The plot engages with its original buddy comedy premise, yet shifts in narrative momentum leave viewers noting a loss of focus midway. Some sequences feel misjudged or undercooked, while the concluding act restores engagement with heartfelt resolution. Overall, the story provides sporadic intrigue but lacks sustained flow.
- Sensory Experience 50
In terms of sensory experience, Papi Chulo maintains a consistent but largely unremarkable audiovisual profile. The soundtrack and sound design provide adequate support without drawing attention, and the visual style favors straightforward framing over distinct motifs. Occasional editing choices reflect the film’s tonal shifts, yet no singular sensory element stands out. Overall, the sensory components reliably underpin the narrative without significant distinction.
- Rewatch Factor 60
When considering rewatch value, the film offers moments of genuine warmth but lacks strong thematic depth for repeat viewings. Some viewers recall its heartfelt moments and comedic highlights with fondness, while others cite pacing dips and uneven secondary arcs as diminishing returns. The central performances remain engaging on a second pass. Overall, the film has moderate replay appeal rooted in its emotional core rather than structural ambition.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 74% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 42 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 55% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Papi Chulo Box Office
Papi Chulo grossed $99,546 worldwide. $84,703 came from the US and Canada and $14,843 (15%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$99.5K
- US & Canada
- $84.7K
- International
- $14.8K
Papi Chulo Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Papi Chulo.
Papi Chulo Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Красавчик” and “Папи Ћуло”.
- Also known as
-
- Красавчик
- Папи Ћуло
- 糖心爹地
- 파피 출로
Seen Papi Chulo?
Movies Like Papi Chulo
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Chasing Papi, Chicuarotes and Chico.
Papi Chulo FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Papi Chulo, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Papi Chulo?
Papi Chulo runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Papi Chulo released?
Papi Chulo was released on June 7, 2019.
Who directed Papi Chulo?
Papi Chulo was directed by John Butler.
More films by John Butler Who is in the cast of Papi Chulo?
Papi Chulo stars Alejandro Patiño as Ernesto, Matt Bomer as Sean and Wendi McLendon-Covey as Ash, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Papi Chulo make at the box office?
Papi Chulo grossed $99,546 worldwide ($84,703 domestic, $14,843 international).
How is Papi Chulo rated?
Papi Chulo has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 42 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.
Does Papi Chulo have a post-credit scene?
No. Papi Chulo has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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