Instructions Not Included

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Instructions Not Included

PG-13

2013

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

63%

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19 Reviews

89%

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25,000+ Ratings

An irresponsible playboy must grow up quickly when a former lover gives him their daughter to raise and then leaves without a trace.

Louis Black

Austin Chronicle

09/06/2013

2.5/5

Charming and entertaining, if overlong and a bit too melodramatic, Instructions ultimately works because of the cast.

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Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

09/05/2013

2.5/4

The film's counterintuitive success is largely due to Derbez, who demonstrates why he is beloved, both south and north of the border.

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Joe Leydon

Variety

09/03/2013

This sporadically amusing but unduly protracted dramedy devolves into a shameless tearjerker in its third act.

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Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

04/15/2019

7/10

Instructions Not Included's humor, while effective, feels confused as to who it's aimed at. The physical gags are unapologetically slapstick and cartoony.

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Carlos Arias

Chilango.com

11/06/2015

3/5

Derbez, even as a debutant filmmaker, shows his solid formation in movies and proves himself as an able narrator. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Mikel Zorrilla

Espinof

11/06/2015

An endearing comedy with that can captivate all kinds of moviegores.[Full Review in Spanish]

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Mariana T

@M.Tezeta Apr 3

It touches on central themes from a perspective that resonates with many Latinos. How can you not sympathize with Derbez (after hating him at first). There were many moments where I genuinely laughed. But I spent 50% of the movie rolling my eyes and just waiting for it to end. I didn't like the little girl, and the way her father hid the truth from her was ridiculous. Yes, 50% of it seemed ridiculous to me, with weak supporting performances and a script that at times tried to seem sophisticated, but failed. Honestly, the only sophisticated thing about it was saying "zha, zha." The wolf element was good, and some of the symbolism was clever, but it didn't quite fit the absurd scenes that unfolded. I give it 2.5 (a movie that's neither good nor bad) because I have mixed feelings: when I remember the ending and the emotions it caused me, I say it's more or less heading towards good; but, when I remember that the movie was Derbez defending a basic girl, the movie points towards bad.

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Sharon C

@RT12407210 Jul 15

It is a very beautiful film and leaves great reflections, but it is very sad. I learned very valuable things in this film, and how important it is to love the person while they are alive, And that we learn from others and the way we learn is valuable. Sharon Contreras.

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Sara R

@RT03175687 Jul 15

This movie in my opinion is very good because it shows the courage of the main character, since he overcame all his fears for his daughter, it also has a very sad ending for me, since he did everything he did for a girl who was not his daughter. Sara Rubiano

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Luis R

@RT12841608 02/20/2025

That was a really difficult movie to watch.

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David C

@David617 02/18/2025

Está entretenida la película y la actuación de Eugenio Derbez es buena

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Valerie D

@VDTJ87 01/03/2025

I am in shambles from how beautiful the movie was and the ending was so unexpected 💯😥 great acting, light hearted and deep - such a gem!

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Synopsis

An irresponsible playboy must grow up quickly when a former lover gives him their daughter to raise and then leaves without a trace.

Director: Eugenio Derbez
Producer: Eugenio Derbez, Lorenzo O'Brien
Screenwriter: Guillermo Ríos, Leticia Lopez Margalli, Eugenio Derbez
Distributor: Pantelion Films
Production Co: Alebrije Cine y Video
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.5M
Runtime: 1h 55m

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