Image Credit: Netflix
Netflix is expanding its strong Spanish feature film slate with a brand new romantic comedy, The Ascercamiento de la Mujer Cactus and the Hombre Globo. Filming is officially underway in Madrid, based on the popular novel. Here’s everything we know so far.
The upcoming feature is an adaptation of what was first reported Yotele in late AprilThe debut novel by Spanish writer and musician David Martínez Álvarez, better known by his stage name Redén. While originally published in Spain by Suma de Letras (Penguin Random House), international readers may recognize the book by its translated titles: Cactus Woman and Balloon Man Coming Together (used for most physical English editions) or Closeup of Cactus Woman and Balloon Man (As found elsewhere).
What is the story of the film?
If the bizarre title didn’t give it away, this movie is shaping up to be a highly unconventional romantic comedy about two people afraid of getting hurt.
Here is the official logline provided by Netflix:
“Sahara is a brilliant and ironic florist who has turned skepticism into her last defense against love, which she considers as fleeting as a bouquet of flowers. Ciro, a bicycle courier, lives his life in constant motion, firmly convinced that loving someone only means getting hurt. An explosive encounter on the streets of Madrid causes them to collide, and the city itself is determined to keep their paths from crossing. Between high-speed deliveries, misunderstandings, and a borrowed identity, which Ciro almost adopts after an accident, the two discover that even people who have learned to be completely defensive may suddenly have a chance to stop running.
Who is in the cast?
The film will be anchored by two veterans of the Spanish television and film industry:
- macarena garcia (Blanca Nieves, Holy Camp!) will play the role of eccentric flower seller Sahara.
- carlos cuevas (smiley, Merli) will play the speedy bike courier, Ciro (also known as Cisco in early production notes), opposite him.
Joining the two lead actors is a stellar supporting cast, including:
- eva lorach (queen te cantara, burning body)
- santiago korowski (division palermo)
- silma lopez (Valeria)
Who is behind the production?
The film is being directed by Goya Award winning filmmaker kike mello (an ideal enemy, Oswald. el falsifador), with a script written by enrique navarro.
production is conducted sabado timeA Spanish production company formed by the merger of Sabado Películas and Playtime Movies. Sabado Time has an excellent track record with Netflix, having previously produced international hits crazy about him (Loco Por Ella) and Kikke Mallow’s smash-hit thriller series Dos TumbasWhich became the most watched series on Netflix globally as soon as it was released.
Tony Carrizosa And Araceli Pérez-Rastrilla Will serve as executive producer on the project.
When will it be released on Netflix?
Netflix officially confirmed that principal photography began in Madrid 12 May 2026.
Given the standard production and post-production timelines for a feature film of this scale, it is highly likely that we will see The Ascercamiento de la Mujer Cactus and the Hombre Globo Coming to streaming service later early to mid 2027.
We’ll keep you updated on release dates, teasers, official English localized titles, and first look images as they arrive!
