Flamin’ Hot review: Eva Longoria directs the Cheetos origin story no one needed (but which still charms)

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Weeks before the cameras started to roll on Flamin’ Hot, Eva Longoria’s first narrative feature as a director, an exposé by the LA Times claimed that its subject, Richard Montañez, had falsely taken credit for the invention of the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. He recognises the neglected potential of Frito-Lay’s Latino consumer base and convinces them to develop a spicy alternative, based on the chilli mixes sprinkled over Mexican street corn. Longoria, whose lengthy tenure on Desperate Housewives surely offered her a front row seat to the public’s tastes, has sized up exactly what sort of film Flamin’ Hot needs to be. Whether or not the story of Flamin’ Hot is true doesn’t really matter – either way, Frito-Lay still wins.