Marcel Ruiz, the breakout star from Netflix's One Day at a Time, is stepping into the spotlight with his first major film role in Summer of Three. The steamy, coming-of-age romance set in Puerto Rico is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival next month, and ShowtimeSpot is thrilled to exclusively unveil the movie's official poster. We also caught up with the multi-talented Ruiz, who not only stars in the film but also co-wrote and produced it alongside his father, Carlitos Ruíz-Ruíz.
The poster captures the sun-drenched, tropical vibe of the film, hinting at the emotional journey ahead. In Summer of Three, Ruiz plays Javi, a 17-year-old who returns to his native Puerto Rico for his beloved grandfather's funeral. Disconnected from his roots after years away, Javi finds himself adrift until he meets Luife (Paolo Schoene) and Kiki (Kiki Montilla), two free-spirited outsiders. Their instant connection pulls Javi into a magnetic love triangle, forcing him to confront love, friendship, and grief in ways he never expected.
A Family Affair Behind the Camera
For Ruiz, working with his father on their first feature together was a surprisingly smooth experience. "It was without a doubt the chillest part of our collaboration in this whole process," Ruiz told us. "Due to months of sharing minds in the writing stages, we were really connected, and our mutual trust allowed for things to run quickly, often exactly how we imagined them." He praised his father's directing style, noting that Carlitos allows actors to "fully live within the world" and creates an intimate atmosphere where you forget you're making a movie.
Juggling the roles of writer, producer, and actor might sound overwhelming, but Ruiz found it liberating. "After almost three years of being fully submerged in this project as a writer and producer, the acting part of it felt like an opportunity to be fully present and not worry about anything else other than just having fun," he explained. He described the process as a "masterclass in filmmaking" and said that being involved in every stage gave him an intuitive understanding of his character's arc and emotional rhythm.
The Heart of the Story: A Love Triangle Rooted in Friendship
At its core, Summer of Three is a romance, but Ruiz emphasizes that it's about more than just passion. "It's magnetic, sexy, and rooted in friendship," he said. The dynamic between Javi, Luife, and Kiki is essential to the story. "Without any one of the three, that friendship just isn't the same." Ruiz had nothing but praise for his co-stars, calling Schoene and Montilla phenomenal. Montilla, in particular, makes her acting debut in the film, and Ruiz believes audiences will fall in love with her character just as Javi does.
The film also serves as a love letter to Puerto Rico, the island where Ruiz spent his early childhood before moving to Los Angeles at age 8. The crew made sure to capture the island's iconic beaches, rivers, and nightlife, making the setting a character in its own right. "Puerto Rico has deeply influenced me as an artist," Ruiz shared. "My summers in PR after high school, I began documenting moments, conversations, and anecdotes in a Notes app, many of which eventually found their way into Summer of Three."
With its blend of personal storytelling, stunning visuals, and a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre, Summer of Three is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated indie films of the year. For more on what's coming next, check out our Exclusive First Look: Summer 2026's Hottest Movies from 'Backrooms' to 'Supergirl' and our Anticipation Meter: The Most Exciting Upcoming Fantasy Movies Ranked.
