What Is I Like It Like That About?
The premise of I Like It Like That in 317 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling, sun‑kissed streets of the Bronx, everyday life feels like a perpetual celebration—until a sudden upheaval forces its residents to confront the cracks beneath the surface. Lisette Linares is a young mother of three who has built her world on the steady rhythm of her husband’s bike‑messenger job and the close‑knit rhythm of her neighborhood. When that rhythm stops, she is thrust into a frantic search for independence, determined to carve out her own path while keeping her family afloat.
The film paints the borough as a vivid tapestry of color, noise, and character, where block parties and street vendors exist side by side with whispered doubts and unspoken expectations. Within this lively backdrop, Lisette leans on a surprisingly supportive network: her fiercely loyal sister Alexis, who navigates her own journey of gender identity, and a demanding mother‑in‑law whose presence adds another layer of tension. The community itself hums with eccentric personalities—from nosy neighbors to hopeful dreamers—all contributing to a atmosphere that is equal parts chaotic and warm.
Ambition flickers for Lisette in the form of an unexpected opportunity to work as a personal assistant to the charismatic record producer Stephen Price. The prospect of entering the world of Latin music and fashion offers a tantalizing glimpse of freedom, yet it also introduces a delicate balancing act between professional aspiration and personal integrity. As she steps into this new sphere, the film maintains a tone that is both gritty and hopeful, underscored by a soundtrack that mirrors the heartbeat of the city.
Through sharp dialogue, vivid street scenes, and a chorus of voices that reflect the diversity of the Bronx, the story captures the struggle of a woman determined to claim her own liberty. It is a portrait of resilience, family ties, and the ever‑present possibility of reinvention, all set against a backdrop where every day feels like an unquiet celebration waiting to be seized.
What Happens in I Like It Like That?
The complete story of I Like It Like That, from the first scene to the last, in 718 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Lisette Linares, Luna Lauren Vélez, is a young mother of three, married to Chino Linares, a bicycle messenger who holds the family together with steady work. Yet the stability is fragile: Chino, the breadwinner, is having an affair with their lustful neighbor, Lisa Vidal as Magdalena, and the undercurrents of pain, pride, and secrets begin to pull the household apart. One summer evening, as a citywide blackout sweeps through the block, Chino is arrested for looting, and Lisette’s world shifts in an instant.
With the main income off the table and the weight of three kids to care for, Lisette leans on the support of her transgender sister, Alexis, Jesse Borrego, and makes a bold choice: she will pursue her dream of becoming a print model. By sheer luck and timing, she lands a job as the personal assistant to a powerful record producer, Stephen Price, Griffin Dunne, who is trying to sign a major Latin music group, the Mendez Brothers (the Barrio Boyzz). This new opportunity offers Lisette a path out of her old life, but it also deepens the entanglement of love, loyalty, and betrayal that runs through the family.
Chino’s world pivots further when Magdalena and her father arrange his release from custody. Magdalena claims that Chino fathered her son, Ritchie, Scott Jarred Cohen, a revelation that sends Lisette spiraling toward rock bottom. She moves in with Alexis, seeking shelter and a fresh start, while Lisette’s professional life brings her into close, complicated contact with Price. The dynamic is uneasy: Price makes advances, yet his calls and the power imbalance in their relationship frustrate Lisette, who tries to keep her dignity intact while juggling the demands of a demanding job.
Meanwhile, Chino’s relationship to his children deteriorates as he confronts a troubling reality: Li’l Chino, his rebellious son, has drifted into drug dealing. During a tense afternoon spent with the kids at the neighborhood, Chino discovers Li’l Chino’s new money and status, and his anger erupts. He lashes out, beating one of the neighborhood kids and then whipping Li’l Chino in front of the others, a brutal act that Alexis urgently tries to intervene to stop. The scene exposes a fractured community as the crowd jeers, and Alexis reminds Lisette that Li’l Chino is still a boy who deserves protection, not punishment.
The tension intensifies when Alexis points out that Lisette is beginning to resemble their estranged mother, a claim Lisette resists as she and Alexis confront their shared past. Alexis confronts their mother, and the visit uneasily shifts from reconciliation to painful truth, culminating in Alexis returning to her home with injuries that she attributes to the continuing lack of acceptance from their mother regarding her transgender identity.
Back at work, Lisette faces a moral crossroads when Price presses for intimacy again. She pushes back, insisting that he is “not a sexual person,” and the disagreement nearly pushes her to quit. Yet they decide to continue their working relationship, balancing ambition with the realities of their imperfect bond. Lisette returns to her apartment, trying to repair her bond with her children, and Li’l Chino—who has shown glimpses of forgiveness—offers a small, sincere moment of reconciliation to her.
Chino returns from a new job as a security officer, and the couple hash out the flaws in their marriage—the infidelities, the lies, the attempts to build a life for their children. Chino finally reveals the truth behind Magdalena’s claim, and Lisette’s dismay softens into a weary, wary understanding. The moment is intimate and quiet: Lisette sinks onto the sofa, and Chino places a pillow behind her head, uttering a soft, mornings-after cadence, “Good night, other person,” as if acknowledging their shared fault and possibility of healing. Lisette smiles, the tension easing just enough to let a fragile hope breathe again.
In a mid-credits moment, Lisette, Chino, and their children visit Coney Island while the Mendez Brothers shoot a music video for their cover of “Try A Little Tenderness.” The family appears to be on the cusp of reconciliation, riding the Ferris wheel, sharing slow dances, and gradually drifting toward sleep on the return ride to the Bronx. The scene leaves a sense that, despite the upheaval, the family is learning to navigate their past and their future together, one uncertain but hopeful step at a time.
I Like It Like That Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Blackout and arrest” to “Mid-credits: a hopeful family night”. 13 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Blackout and arrest
During a summer blackout, Chino is arrested for looting, leaving Lisette to face the financial and emotional strain of supporting their three kids. The incident exposes the fragility of the couple's life and sets Lisette on a risky new path. The neighborhood buzzes with tension as everyone wonders what comes next.
When:One summer evening Where:Neighborhood during blackout
- 2
Lisette pursues her dream and lands a job
Encouraged by her transgender sister Alexis, Lisette chooses to pursue her dream of modeling. She lands a job as the personal assistant to Stephen Price, a major record-label producer hoping to sign a Latin group. The new role drags her into the music business and a potentially dangerous power dynamic.
When:Soon after arrest Where:Record label offices
- 3
Release and paternity claim
Magdalena and her father secure Chino's release from custody, triggering a confrontation with Lisette. Magdalena publicly claims that Chino fathered her son, Ritchie, further destabilizing Lisette's already fragile marriage. The lie intensifies Lisette's fear of losing everything.
When:Shortly after arrest Where:Prison / Magdalena's house
- 4
Lisette moves in with Alexis
Facing a broken household, Lisette moves in with her sister Alexis to regroup and rethink her future. The shift pushes her to re-evaluate her priorities and the legitimacy of her marriage. Alexis becomes a critical sounding board as Lisette navigates her new career.
Where:Alexis' apartment
- 5
Work affair and distractions
At the label, Lisette's relationship with Stephen Price intensifies as their chemistry spills into the office. While they have sex, Price keeps answering calls, distracting her and revealing a power imbalance. The episode strains Lisette's professional boundaries and her self-respect.
When:During work Where:Stephen Price's office
- 6
Firing and confrontation
The next day, Chino is fired from his job after his criminal record becomes a liability. Lisette confronts him, insisting on proof that she slept with another man to justify her actions in the affair. The confrontation underscores the collapse of their trust.
When:The next day Where:Chino's workplace
- 7
Li'l Chino's trouble and Chino's rage
Chino discovers Li'l Chino's involvement in drug dealing when his son buys ice cream with money, triggering a violent outburst in front of the block. He lashes out, slapping and beating a boy as neighbors look on, while Alexis tries to intervene. The scene exposes the dangerous consequences of their unresolved issues.
When:Afternoon Where:Neighborhood street
- 8
Li'l Chino runs away
Li'l Chino runs from the scene and ends up at Alexis' apartment, seeking refuge with Lisette who refuses to take him in. Chino later retrieves his son and takes him home, leaving Lisette to grapple with motherhood’s demands. The family fracture deepens as the kids witness the adults' conflicts.
When:Evening Where:Alexis' apartment
- 9
Angel reveals paternity
Back at the apartment, Angel reveals that he is Ritchie's real father, intensifying Chino's sense of manipulation by Magdalena. Lisette, meanwhile, processes the truth about her own marriage and the baby drama. The revelation adds another layer of betrayal to the already fractured relationship.
When:Evening Where:Apartment
- 10
Mother's rejection of transgender identity
Alexis and Lisette discuss their family dynamics and the mother's unresolved issues. Alexis travels to visit their mother, who responds with disgust at Alexis’ transgender identity. The visit reveals the mother's continued rejection and the siblings' struggle for acceptance.
When:Next day Where:Their mother's house
Show the other 3 events of I Like It Like That Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Lisette asserts professional boundaries
Price pushes for more, but Lisette rejects him, declaring he's not a sexual person and risking her job. They argue, and she nearly quits, but ultimately agrees to keep working with Price. The incident marks a turning point in her independence and professional boundaries.
When:Next day Where:Record label offices
- 12
Home reconciliation begins
Lisette returns home and speaks to her children about forgiveness, gaining a small measure of reconciliation with Li'l Chino. Chino arrives home with a new sense of responsibility, but he remains wary of Magdalena’s influence. They hash out their flaws and commit to trying again.
When:Morning Where:Bronx home
- 13
Mid-credits: a hopeful family night
In a mid-credits scene, the family goes to Coney Island with the Mendez Brothers filming a video. Lisette and Chino appear to have reconciled as they ride a Ferris wheel, share a slow dance, and fall asleep on the train. The sequence hints at a hopeful, renewed family balance.
When:Mid-credits Where:Coney Island
Who Are the Main Characters in I Like It Like That?
10 characters, among them Lisette Linares (Luna Lauren Velez), Chino Linares (Jon Seda) and Alexis (Jesse Borrego): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- LL
Lisette Linares (Luna Lauren Velez)
Played by Luna Lauren Velez
A young mother of three in a tight-knit New York neighborhood, Lisette shoulders the family's burdens while chasing a dream of becoming a print model. She navigates a fraught relationship with Stephen Price and the fallout of her husband Chino's actions. Her resilience and willingness to adapt drive the family through upheaval and reformulate her own identity beyond traditional roles.
- 🧡 Mother
- 💪 Resilient
- 🎯 Ambitious
- CL
Chino Linares (Jon Seda)
Played by Jon Seda
The family’s breadwinner who is reliable yet deeply flawed, whose affair unsettles the household. After a summer blackout and legal trouble, he loses his job and must confront the consequences of his choices. His confrontations with his son Li'l Chino reveal a struggle between pride, discipline, and responsibility.
- 💼 Provider
- 💔 Flawed
- 🥊 Temperamental
- A(
Alexis (Jesse Borrego)
Played by Jesse Borrego
Lisette’s transgender sister who offers support and a different lens on family life. She challenges conventional expectations while seeking acceptance from their mother and community. Her journey highlights resilience, courage, and the power of chosen family.
- 🌈 Trans Identity
- 🗣️ Voice
- 🧭 Ally
-
Rosaria Linares (Rita Moreno)
Played by Rita Moreno
The family matriarch who anchors the siblings during crisis and embodies cultural traditions. Her presence emphasizes both warmth and authority within the household. She navigates the complexities of modern life while upholding shared values.
- 👵 Matriarch
- 🛡️ Protector
- 🗣️ Traditional
-
Stephen Price (Griffin Dunne)
Played by Griffin Dunne
A major record label producer who becomes Lisette’s boss and a source of opportunity and tension. His power and charm mask transactional dynamics, with a blurred line between professional respect and personal desire. He represents the seductive pull of success in the music industry.
- 🎹 Producer
- 💰 Power
- 🤝 Manipulative
- MS
Magdalena Soto (Lisa Vidal)
Played by Lisa Vidal
Chino’s neighbor and lover whose involvement introduces deception and complicated loyalties. Her actions influence the dynamics between Lisette and Chino and catalyze revelations about paternity and family bonds. She embodies the tensions of desire within a crowded urban setting.
- 💃 Lover
- 🔀 Complicated
- 💔 Jealous
- LC
Li'l Chino Linares (Tomas Melly)
Played by Tomas Melly
Chino and Magdalena’s rebellious son whose shift into drug dealing shocks the family and triggers a harsh confrontation with his father. His actions underscore the dangers that can arise from street pressures and unfinished parental guidance.
- 🧒 Kid
- 🔥 Rebellious
- 💸 Temptation
- ML
Minnie Linares (Desiree Casado)
Played by Desiree Casado
The youngest Linares child whose presence highlights the stakes of family stability. Minnie’s innocence and perception of her parents' conflicts underscore the emotional impact of adult choices on children.
- 👶 Child
- 🧡 Innocence
- 🕊️ Hope
- A(
Angel (Vincent Laresca)
Played by Vincent Laresca
A neighborhood friend who reveals he is Ritchie’s father, complicating family loyalties. His revelation adds tension to paternity and lineage within the circle of friends and family. His role underscores how intimate connections ripple through the community.
- 👨 Father
- 🕶️ Secretive
- 🌀 Complex
- RS
Ritchie Soto (Scott Jarred Cohen)
Played by Scott Jarred Cohen
A child whose life reflects the consequences of adult actions in a close-knit community. His presence triggers examinations of discipline, care, and protection in the face of neighborhood temptations. His dynamics with family members expose evolving loyalties.
- 👦 Son
- 🧭 Conflicted
- 🧪 Streetwise
Where and When Is I Like It Like That Set?
I Like It Like That is set in The Bronx, New York, Coney Island and New York. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The narrative unfolds during a hot urban summer, punctuated by a city blackout that exposes cracks in family life. The setting feels contemporary to late 20th-century New York, blending street culture with a commercial music world. The events focus on daily survival, work pressures, and personal dreams rather than a specific year.
Where
The Bronx, New York, Coney Island, New York
Set in a dense New York City neighborhood, the film follows Lisette and her family in the Bronx as they navigate economic hardship, infidelity, and the support of tight-knit neighbors. The story captures urban life with close-quarter apartments, street life, and family rituals that anchor the characters. A mid-credits sequence takes the family to Coney Island, underscoring a shared moment of joy against the city backdrop.
- 🗽 New York City
- 🏙️ Urban community
- 🎶 Latin music culture
What Are the Themes of I Like It Like That?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Family, Ambition and Identity.
-
01
Family
Lisette fights to keep her family intact after Chino's arrest and infidelities, balancing motherhood with her own ambitions. The film centers on the strains of marriage, loyalty among siblings, and the lengths a mother will go to for her children. Alexis's support and Lisette's determination propel the family through crisis, even as the kids face dangerous temptations.
-
02
Ambition
Lisette pursues modeling as a path to independence, seizing a pivotal job as an assistant to a powerful music producer. The pursuit of a dream collides with harsh realities at home and in the workplace, highlighting the pull between personal growth and family duty. The dream acts as both escape and pressure, shaping key decisions.
-
03
Identity
Alexis's transgender identity and her relationship with the family spotlight questions of acceptance and belonging. The narrative explores stigma, courage, and the support that can emerge from sisterly bonds. Family dynamics shift as differing identities challenge traditional expectations.
-
04
Urban Life
The film paints a vivid portrait of a working-class neighborhood where economic strain, street life, and community ties dictate daily choices. The blackout becomes a catalyst for confrontation and revelation, exposing how neighborhood pressures intersect with personal relationships. Music, nightlife, and neighborly interactions color the social landscape.
What Kind of Film Is I Like It Like That?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A gritty yet hopeful urban drama that vibrantly portrays a woman's resilient struggle for independence amidst marital betrayal, family chaos, and the realities of street life, balancing raw emotional moments with an undercurrent of optimism.
- raw
- hopeful
- gritty
- vibrant
- resilient
- tense
- marital strife
- personal independence
- family dynamics
- urban life
Content notes: domestic violence, child abuse, infidelity, incarceration.
Quiz
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