From romantic clichés to stories of protection, Marfil draws comparisons to The Bodyguard and shows how classic romance tropes continue to captivate audiences
Quem gosta de histórias românticas provavelmente já se deparou com alguns cenários familiares: uma mulher independente e famosa, um homem contratado para protegê-la e um relacionamento que começa por obrigação, mas gradualmente se transforma em paixão. Parece familiar, não é?
This type of storyline became popular in the 1990s with The Bodyguard, the 1992 film directed by Mick Jackson and starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. More than 30 years later, a story with similar elements is drawing attention in Marfil, a 2026 adaptation of Mercedes Ron’s book.
Despite their similarities, that doesn’t mean one work is a copy of the other. In an interview with CNN Brasil, Mercedes Ron explained that she wanted to explore a different approach in her new story: “I really wanted to give the audience something different, because my audience was growing up with me.”
The comparison between the two works, then, has more to do with how certain romantic clichés continue to appear in stories and appeal to audiences. After all, why do we love clichés so much?
Romance stories built around familiar clichés often feature elements audiences already know. Because of this, they are sometimes seen as “boring,” since viewers can guess what might happen before the movie even ends. But perhaps that predictability is exactly what so many people enjoy, keeping them hooked on these stories for hours.
Rather than always looking for a completely unexpected plot, some people seek the comfort of familiar elements. According to Entretetizei, a website focused on entertainment and women’s culture, these storytelling patterns are known as tropes. Examples include enemies who fall in love, childhood friends who develop romantic feelings for each other, and fake relationships that often end with a happily ever after.
In The Bodyguard, singer Rachel Marron faces threats and is assigned protection from former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer. Their professional relationship gets off to a rocky start but eventually makes room for romantic feelings.
In Marfil, the protagonist also finds herself in a relationship shaped by danger and protection. The combination of suspense and romance creates a story that goes beyond the couple, as the characters must also face the risks surrounding them.
It’s worth noting that Marfil ends on a cliffhanger, leaving audiences wondering what will happen to the characters. The sequel, based on the second book in the series, has already been filmed and is expected to premiere in 2027, according to Metrópoles.
The similarities between Marfil and The Bodyguard have caught the public’s attention. CNN Brasil even compared the 2026 production to the 1990s classic. But recognizing that two works share similar elements is different from claiming that Mercedes Ron copied Mick Jackson’s film.
The two stories belong to different historical periods and were created in distinct contexts. The Bodyguard emerged during an era defined by sweeping romantic ballads, love dramas, and music stars who also shone on the big screen. Marfil, on the other hand, arrives at a time when literary adaptations aimed at young audiences have become an important part of the entertainment industry.
The way audiences consume these stories has also changed. Today, romances can gain traction on social media, spark fan discussions even before their release, and inspire communities built around their characters.
Another difference lies in the protagonists themselves. Rachel Marron, played by Whitney Houston, is a famous singer who must deal with a threat to her life. Marfil, the protagonist of Marfil, is the daughter of a powerful businessman who receives protection from a bodyguard after being kidnapped. Although both stories feature women in danger and men tasked with protecting them, each develops that relationship in its own way.
Ester Expósito, who plays Marfil in the adaptation, has also become one of the main names associated with the new film. In an interview with CAPRICHO magazine, Mercedes Ron praised the actress, saying she would be the “perfect Marfil.”
Hugo Diego García, who plays Marfil’s love interest, also discussed the story’s ending in a conversation with Metrópoles. According to the actor, ending the first film at the height of the climax was a deliberate choice meant to leave audiences curious and eager to see the sequel. This approach keeps viewers wondering about the characters’ fates and the rest of the story yet to unfold.
Audiences still enjoy watching two people fall in love despite the obstacles in their way. There’s still room for couples who start out at odds, romances that blossom amid danger, and stories that leave viewers feeling that, after so many struggles, the characters have finally found their “happily ever after.”
For that reason, Marfil doesn’t need to be considered a new version of The Bodyguard to remind audiences of the 1992 classic. The two works reveal something more interesting: romantic clichés can age, take on new faces, and adapt to different contexts, yet they continue to find an audience among people who love a good love story.