Netflix just released their latest family-friendly movie which happens to involve a Chupacabra. Unfortunately, the movie is currently facing backlash online since Netflix chose an inappropriate title.
Those who are familiar with the stories of the Chupacabra will know that the Spanish word literally translates to “goat-sucker.” Naturally, Netflix attempted to shorten the word to “Chupa” for the title of the movie, but the translation isn’t quite the same.
As noted below by one Twitter user – the word now translates to “to suck off.” Obviously this is a word that the young viewers the film is intended for should probably avoid searching.
Imagine the sheer amount of people this title went through at @netflix all the way to “release promo movie poster” for no one to tell them that you can’t shorten the word “chupacabra” with “chupa” because it literally means “to suck off” … like kids should not google this word https://t.co/A3vSEOG5cJ
— El Norte Recuerda (@Vanessid) March 14, 2023
Additionally, the same Twitter user notes that the film had a Mexican director and lead. They hint that someone, then, should have caught the double entendre of the word “Chupa.” But, for one reason or another, it doesn’t look like that ever happened.
Oh it has a Mexican director and lead. My apologies, go right ahead señores. No one is thinking that other thing.
— El Norte Recuerda (@Vanessid) March 14, 2023
Here are some of the other tweets shared that pointed out the film’s NSFW title given by the streaming service:
Are we going to tell our non-Spanish speaking friends what it means? I’m thinking about all the giggles when a family entertainment “expert” recommends Chupa (which they will pronounce chuppa) for the whole family!
— Angie M Santiago (ella/she/her/they) (@soysantiagoa) March 15, 2023
WHO got the idea of CHUPA as title??????
CHUPA!
Two of the 5 major languages (as major number of speakers) associate the word chupa with +18 stuffFor the love of ***
— Nove (@midnightomidday) March 15, 2023
so netflix is making a movie about the cryptid Chupacabra, which basically translates to goat sucker. but they name the movie “Chupa” that’s.. an interesting title choice.
— (@squuishy) March 15, 2023
DON’T TITLE IT ‘CHUPA’ HANK! THATS NOT WHAT THAT MEANS HANK! NOT FOR YOUR FAMILY FRIENDLY MOVE HANK! https://t.co/t3VRSPIjEl pic.twitter.com/vi3a8oHkhP
— Chay (@ChayTwts) March 15, 2023
Puerto Ricans right now are dying of laughter at this dumb title. Making this thing look cuddly on top of putting chupa as the title. Marketing team is probably crying at the commons on the fumble of this one
— Areku Cosplay (@ArekuCosplay) March 15, 2023
My dudes please change this title. Chupa means something ao DIRTY you dont even want to know
— Rafael Galindo (@ggalindo23) March 14, 2023
It’s an interesting move on Netflix’s part because the film is otherwise very family-friendly. It appears to boast a similar vibe to the likes of E.T. or perhaps even Gremlins (at least before the Mogwai begin turning into frightening little monsters, that is.) Of course, it’s possible that Netflix could change the film’s title at a later point. After all, the digital and streaming technology involved would make it quite easy. But for the time being – it looks like the film will remain known as Chupa. So let’s hope it doesn’t cause too much of an issue for any younger viewers.
As for now, the family-friendly film Chupa – not so family-friendly title and all – is currently available for subscribers to stream via Netflix. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates regarding the streaming service’s ventures as we have them.