“Cherri” explores the challenges in caring for a disabled spouse

Characters dealing with a loved one facing a tragic illness is a familiar trope in drama, often used to tell deeply emotional and powerful stories. It reminds us how important it is to stand by the people we love, even in life’s most painful moments. However, many of these stories have traditionally been told through heterosexual perspectives, which makes Cherri, directed by Fabian Suarez, feel like a refreshing and unique viewing experience.

Cherri (Juan Miguel Mas) is a devoted ballet instructor whose passion for the art form radiates in every aspect of his life. However, returning home to care for his sick partner, Luis (Roberto Diaz Gomar), has become emotionally exhausting.

As the film unfolds, Cherri begins an affair with a security guard named Tim (Noslen Sanchez), drawing us into the tension and complexity of his increasingly risky double life.

The film is stellar in its examination of loneliness within a relationship shaped by circumstances beyond one’s control. It portrays love with a raw honesty, highlighting the emotional strain that can emerge when a partnership is pushed into difficult and unbalanced territory due to illness. The dynamic between the characters feels organic and deeply human. The film does not shy away from showing that love, in its most complicated forms. It is not always easy and can lead people to do things that may not be the most considerate.

The story is often heartbreaking, highlighting how complicated people can be. There’s a strong sense of melancholy in the scenes between Cherri and Luis, giving their relationship a quiet emotional weight. Juan Miguel Mas delivers an excellent performance, bringing depth and authenticity that makes these moments feel intimate, as if the viewer is a fly on the wall witnessing their tragic dynamic unfold.

Despite its heavy themes, the film maintains a sense of hope. Scenes of Cherri directing a ballet performance serve as a powerful reminder that, even when life feels overwhelming, joy can still be found through passion and art. He leads the dancers with confidence and authority, making it clear how deeply this craft matters to him. At the same time, the film shows moments where the challenges he faces at home begin to affect his work, highlighting how persevering through pain can be incredibly difficult — but also showing that we are capable of doing so when we embrace our inner strength. It’s also refreshing to see a plus-sized Latino character at the center of a gay drama, something still far too rare, but a welcome sign of more diverse stories taking the spotlight.

Cherri is ultimately a powerful tale about the messiness of life. While it may not be the strongest film to explore love in the face of illness, it stands out through its unique narrative elements, including a secret love affair and its emphasis on finding purpose through passion in the midst of hardship. It offers a grounded perspective on love, showing how it can evolve and fall short of the idealized, youthful fairy tale. Instead, the film embraces a darker form of romance — one that acknowledges how relationships can sometimes be deeply painful.

4/5 stars