Culpa Nuestra (translated as Our Fault), the third installment in the wildly popular Spanish romantic drama trilogy based on Mercedes Ron’s Culpables novels, explodes onto screens with a time jump that feels both inevitable and heartbreaking. Directed once again by the Menéndez brothers (Domingo and Manuel), this 2024 Netflix release picks up four years after the gut-wrenching breakup in Culpa Tuya (2023). Noah (Nicole Wallace) and Nick (Gabriel Guevara) have spent those years apart, building separate lives—yet fate, with its cruel sense of humor, drags them back together at the lavish wedding of their mutual friends, Jenna and Lion.
The Setup: A Wedding Crasher of Emotions
The film opens on the sun-drenched coasts of Spain, where Jenna and Lion’s destination wedding serves as the perfect catalyst for chaos. Noah, now a budding professional in the legal world (echoing her stepfather Rafa’s influence), arrives looking effortlessly poised but inwardly shattered. Nick, meanwhile, has ascended to the throne of his grandfather’s sprawling business empire—a role that has hardened him into a brooding, unforgiving mogul. The chemistry between them crackles from their first awkward glance across the rehearsal dinner. Wallace and Guevara reprise their roles with even more intensity; their on-screen tension is palpable, a mix of lingering passion and seething resentment.
Nick’s refusal to forgive Noah stems from the betrayal in Culpa Tuya—her secret decisions that tore them apart. He’s vocal about it: “Four years, Noah. You think a smile fixes that?” Yet, the film doesn’t let him off easy. His pride is portrayed as a double-edged sword, isolating him even as it elevates his status.
Plot Highlights: Forced Proximity and Unresolved Tension
What follows is a masterclass in “enemies-to-lovers” tropes done right. A series of contrived-yet-organic events keep thrusting Noah and Nick together:
The Wedding Mishaps: A shared bridal party duty leads to a rain-soaked argument that ends in a near-kiss.
Business Overlap: Nick’s empire intersects with Noah’s new job, forcing professional collaborations laced with personal barbs.
Family Interventions: Step-siblings and friends (including returning favorites like Rafa and Anabel) meddle, highlighting how their breakup rippled through everyone’s lives.
Flashbacks and Revelations: Intercut with steamy memories of their past, we get deeper dives into Noah’s regrets and Nick’s hidden vulnerabilities—revealing he never truly moved on.
The narrative thrives on this push-pull dynamic. Pride is the villain here: Noah’s independence clashes with Nick’s need for control, and past wounds fester like open scars. But the attraction? Undeniable. The film leans into sensual, slow-burn moments—stolen glances, accidental touches—that remind us why this couple captivated audiences in the first two films.
Themes and Performances: Love vs. Ego
At its core, Culpa Nuestra explores whether love can conquer ego. It’s messier than its predecessors, delving into adult realities like career ambitions, forgiveness, and the fear of vulnerability. Wallace shines as a more mature Noah, balancing strength with fragility, while Guevara’s Nick is a storm of charisma and pain—his heir persona adding layers of power imbalance.
Critics have praised the film’s emotional depth, though some note the plot’s reliance on coincidences. Visually, it’s stunning: opulent weddings, sleek boardrooms, and intimate beach confrontations shot with a romantic haze.
Ending Tease
Does their love triumph? The film tests them to the breaking point, culminating in a climax that forces raw honesty. Without spoiling, it’s a satisfying payoff for fans—bittersweet, passionate, and true to the trilogy’s addictive formula.
If you’re a fan of angsty romance like After or 365 Days, dive in. Culpa Nuestra is streaming now on Netflix. Rewatch the first two for full context—your heart will thank (and hate) you. What’s your take on Noah and Nick’s journey? Will they finally get their happy ending?
