Netflix’s Nadie Sabe Que Estoy Aqui review (SPOILER FREE)

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Nadie Sabe Que Estoy Aquí, or, Nobody Knows I’m Here was released on Netflix on June 24, 2020. It stars Jorge Garcia (from Lost), Nelson Brodt, Julio Fuentes, and Juan Falcon. It is the first Chilean movie produced by Netflix.

Garcia portrays Memo Garrido, a former singer who failed due to backstage politics: when he was a child, his father Jacinto agreed with a music promoter to have Memo’s voice be used for a more “attractive” child singer named Angelo. The reason: Memo was chubby and not “attractive” enough to be marketable despite his amazing talent. As a man, Memo deals with the trauma of his failed career as he lives with his uncle Braulio on an island near the town of Llanquihue, Chile. Thanks to a woman named Marta, Memo unintentionally reveals his secret past to her as they build a friendship.

This movie shows a simple presentation of a great narrative, character development, and Garcia’s portrayal as Memo is great. One cannot help but feel impotent as Memo languishes in his pain with almost no escape. The Chilean setting, although beautiful, also showcases how isolated Memo made himself to be, especially after a scene involving Braulio results in Braulio’s temporary exit.

Another topic of interest in Nobody Knows I’m Here is the problem about using ghost singers and a potentially destructive aftermath that follows. Because nothing is as it seems, real people with real talent get shoved aside and used; eventually, the original singer will have to retaliate or resign to obscurity like Memo. The climax of this film shows that one can overcome their personal grief and move on, even if it means tearing down potential success. It also shows that one cannot put too much trust into heroes as they may actually be villains behind that heroic facade.

I’d give this film an 8.5 out of 10. Jorge Garcia did a good job and shows he can do more genres. The story was engaging and serves as a lesson about ignoring genuine talent for petty gains.