Flamin' Hot: how to watch, reviews, cast and everything we know about the movie

Jesse Garcia in Flamin' Hot
Jesse Garcia in Flamin' Hot (Image credit: Emily Aragones/Searchlight Pictures)

We all have our favorite snack food, and for many it may very well be the spicy Flamin' Hot Cheetos that leave red dust all over your fingers. But do you know the story behind the invention of the popular snack? That's the subject of the new 2023 movie aptly titled Flamin' Hot.

Eva Longoria makes her movie directing debut (she has directed many episodes of TV shows) with Flamin' Hot. But when and where can you watch it and who's in it?

Here's everything that we know about Flamin' Hot.

How to watch Flamin' Hot 

Flamin' Hot is now available to watch exclusively through streaming services, Hulu in the US and Disney Plus in the UK and other international markets. For a full breakdown, check out our how to watch Flamin' Hot guide.

Flamin' Hot plot 

Here is the synopsis for the movie that is based on an incredible true story:

"Flamin' Hot is the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez, the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin' Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture Phenomenon."

Flamin' Hot cast 

Jesse Garcia and Dennis Haysbert in Flamin' Hot

Jesse Garcia and Dennis Haysbert in Flamin' Hot (Image credit: Anna Kooris/Searchlight Pictures)

Leading the Flamin' Hot cast is Jesse Garcia as Richard Montañez. Viewers may recognize Garcia from roles like Ambulance, Snowfall, Narcos: Mexico, From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series and Sons of Anarchy.

Playing Richard's wife Judy in the movie is Annie Gonzalez. Some of her past credits include Mr. Corman and Gentefied.

Rounding out the Montañez family is Emilio Rivera as Vacho. Rivera is best known for roles in Mayans M.C., Sons of Anarchy, Weeds and Collateral.

Also in the movie are familiar names like Dennis Haysbert (24, Far From Heaven) as Clarence C. Baker, Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Monk) as Roger Enrico and Matt Walsh (Veep, Comedy Bang! Bang!) as Lonny Mason.

Flamin' Hot trailer 

The trailer for Flamin' Hot is now available, previewing this inspiring story of how an iconic snack come to be:

You can also check out an clip of the movie right here:

Flamin' Hot reviews — what the critics are saying 

As of June 9, Flamin' Hot is rated "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 67%. Here are some quick looks at what some of the critics are saying in their reviews:

Lex Briscuso, The Wrap: "The genuine energy of Longoria's first feature makes for an engaging and empowering watch."

Mae Abdulbaki, Screen Rant: "Anchored by a fabulous cast, Longoria spins an inspirational tale that is full of heart and humor & takes a couple of risks in her directorial debut."

Kate Erbland, Indiewire: "When Flamin' Hot leans too far into the only-in-Hollywood, we lose something far more satisfying than the spice-dusted cheese puffs."

Eva Longoria directing credits

Longoria is first and foremost known as an actress (and TV host with her CNN show Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico), but she is also prolific behind the camera. While Flamin' Hot is her first movie directing gig, she has directed episodes for the following shows: 

  • Devious Maids
  • Eva Longoria Versus
  • Telenovela
  • Jane the Virgin
  • LA to Vegas
  • The Mick
  • Black-ish
  • Grand Hotel
  • Glamorous
  • The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia
  • Why Women Kill
  • Gordita Chronicles
Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.