Professor James Schamus Chases the Mexican Dream in 'The Son-in-Law,' Now on Netflix

The Son-in-Law (El yerno), produced and co-written by Professor of Professional Practice in Film and Media Studies James Schamus, hit Netflix on May 1, 2026.

A tragicomic take on "the great Mexican Dream," The Son-in-Law (El yerno) follows José Sánchez, a mustachioed, silver-tongued, down-on-his-luck businessman whose life takes a turn when chance transforms him into El Serpiente, a formidable political operative.

Directed by Gerardo Naranjo and starring Adrián Vázquez with Jero Medina and Verónica Bravo, among many other Mexican actors, the film takes a wry look at its protagonist's ambition for power, the shortcuts he's willing to take to get on top, and the massive downfalls at stake.

"Ever since we finished Somos [the hit Mexican limited series that Schamus created and executive produced for Netflix], I've dreamed of returning to Mexico, hoping I might once again experience that same energy, talent, and warmth," Schamus told Netflix. "With The Son-in-Law (El yerno), that dream came true. It’s a new adventure and an even bigger explosion of Mexican creativity. So while our characters' 'great Mexican dream' became a rather insane, absurd tragicomedy, for me, it’s been a simple, wonderful dream," said Schamus.

The film was selected for the 41st Guadalajara International Film Festival, where it screened in the competition for the Mezcal Award for Best Mexican Film on April 18, 2026.

James Schamus is an award-winning screenwriter (The Ice Storm), producer (Brokeback Mountain), and former CEO of Focus Features (Dallas Buyers Club, Lost in Translation, Milk, The Pianist). Works from his New York-based production company, Symbolic Exchange, include Minhal Baig's We Grown Now and Kitty Green’s The Assistant, and Rhys Ernst’s award-winning trans comedy Adam, starring Margaret Qualley. Symbolic's latest production is Andrew Ahn’s reboot of Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet, starring Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Joan Chen, Kelly Marie Tran, and Youn Yuh-jung, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Schamus is currently collaborating with composer Huang Ruo on an opera for The Met, and is Consulting Producer on Stranger Things. He served on the negotiating committee of the Writers Guild of America during their successful five-month strike.