The HBO Max series is based on the life of influential trans figure Cristina “La Veneno.”
Veneno, a critically acclaimed 8-episode series available on HBO Max, is based on the biography of legendary trans figure Cristina “La Veneno.” Created by the Spanish queer couple “los Javis”, who are best known for creating the comedy series Paquita Salas, the show has plenty of strengths but perhaps most refreshing is its focus on trans solidarity before trans pain. At every stage, Cristina is surrounded by trans women who form a community of protection, care, respect and joy.
While the series is named after Cristina “La Veneno,” it arguably centers just as much more on Valeria Vegas (the eventual writer of Cristina’s biography). The series opens when Valeria, a young college student filled with doubts about her gender identity and an obsession with Cristina years after she is no longer in the spotlight, learns that Cristina is living in her town. Once the two connect, Cristina becomes a guide for Valeria as she begins her transition, through which a friendship and book manuscript are created.
The series brings to life the real story of Cristina, whose career launched during the 1990s when international late-night-talk shows found a market in interviewing individuals who brought a “shock factor” to their audiences. American shows’ obsession with Club Kids introduced gender non-conforming stars like Amanda Lepore to households across the nation, but the U.S. was far from the only country to interview trans individuals on national television.
In the 1990s, Spain rebelled against its totalitarian dictatorship and moralist values by taking pride in the country’s underground culture. The Spanish late-night-talk show Esta Noche Cruzamos El Mississippi was a prime example of this. In 1996, it featured a segment in which a reporter interviewed sex workers at a local park, which is where the now-legendary actress, singer and media personality Cristina “La Veneno” got her accidental debut in the spotlight.
Her outrageous outfit, curvaceous body and shining personality made her a hit and her rise to stardom made her one of the first widely known trans women in Spain and across the world. The 2020 biographical series La Veneno captures her rise and fall in a respectful, honest and gorgeous manner by not only telling Cristina’s story but that of all the trans women who made up her community.
The series does not shy away from portraying the violence and marginalization trans women have been subjected to anywhere from the 70s to 2016. In its honesty, it captures many moments that may be uncomfortable or difficult to watch because to not show them would mean to erase a fundamental part of Cristina as well as most trans women’s lives. But the show shines in its ability to not let these moments dull the brightness of the joy Cristina and the women around her feel when they are with one another. Featuring many of the actual, real-life people in Cristina’s life- including her best friend Paca la Pirana and Valeria Vegas- the show presents a variety of trans people and beautifully portrays the diversity within the trans community.
Personally, my favorite aspect of the series is its longevity. The early scenes portraying Cristina’s early and innocent beginnings with feminine expression reminded me of my own journeys. But even more impressive to me was to see a group of older trans women laughing and cooking and living. While trans media representation continues to make strides worldwide, this representation tends to focus on younger trans individuals or only shows violence. Coupled with news outlets constantly having to report the most recent violent murder of a trans person, it is easy to forget that trans people can reach an older age. The series has many gorgeous montages and shots, but my favorite moments where those showing Cristina as an older woman being surrounded by her lifelong friends, reminding audiences that happy endings do exist for trans and gender non-conforming individuals and they so often involve company and solidarity.
The series is airing in the U.S. through HBO Max and premiering one episode weekly. It is monumental for its hiring of trans actresses and focuses on trans issues, but beyond that it is honest and gorgeous and respectful; I highly recommend it.