Valeria Maldonado, Marta Méndez Cross, and Virginia Novello on Creating’ Las Tres Sisters’ From Laughter, Love, and Lived Experience

There’s something undeniably magical about storytelling rooted in real friendship—and in Las Tres Sisters, that bond radiates through every scene. Nearly a decade in the making, the film is the result of a remarkable creative partnership between Valeria Maldonado, Marta Méndez Cross, and Virginia Novello, who not only co-wrote and co-starred in the project, but infused every moment with their shared humor, heart, and lived perspective. The story is uniquely theirs, yet it echoes something deeply universal: the longing to be understood, to come home, and to find your people.

Set against the rich landscape of rural Mexico, Las Tres Sisters follows María, Lucía, and Sofía—three estranged siblings who reunite for a pilgrimage to honor their late grandmother’s final wish. What begins as an uneasy road trip unfolds into something far more profound, as long-buried tensions rise to the surface and unexpected moments of joy offer space for healing. The film moves effortlessly between humor and heartbreak, capturing the complexities of sisterhood with a tenderness and authenticity that can only come from those who’ve lived it.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Valeria Maldonado, Marta Méndez Cross, and Virginia Novello about the journey behind Las Tres Sisters—from late-night writing sessions and personal breakthroughs to the emotional weight of telling a story so close to their hearts. What emerged was more than a film; it was a celebration of culture, identity, and the power of creating something meaningful with the people who know you best.

PC: Valeria, it’s clear how much care and thought went into every word of this script. Over the six years it took to bring it to life, you all struck such a nuanced balance—one moment you’re laughing, the next you’re crying. How did the script evolve throughout that journey, and were those tonal and emotional layers always part of the original vision?
Valeria: First of all, thank you for describing our script in such a beautiful way. I think the script evolved as we evolved—both as writers and as human beings. From the beginning, we knew we wanted to write a “dramedy” that could move fluidly from laughter to heartbreak, but the tone shifted a lot along the way. Over those six years, as our friendship deepened, the screenplay naturally began to reflect our dynamic. Marta, Virginia, and I go from sharing our deepest vulnerabilities to laughing together in the middle of the night—and we do that almost daily. We poured that rhythm into the script.

What you’re watching is, in many ways, the tone we live our lives in. Some moments in the film are even taken verbatim from our real conversations. Of course, not everything in the movie is based on reality—it was a beautiful experiment in blending personal truths with fictional storytelling, and that process continued all the way through filming. We probably could have kept writing forever, but thankfully our producer, Denisse Prieto, eventually stepped in and took the script out of our hands on set, giving us permission to let go and just play. And play we did.

PC: Marta, you’ve spoken in other interviews about how deeply personal and culturally significant this project is for you. How did that shared sense of purpose across the team encourage bolder creative choices? And how do you hope the film empowers others who haven’t yet had the opportunity to tell their own stories?
Marta: Thank you. Las Tres Sisters is deeply personal to me—not just as a writer and actress, but as a Latina woman who rarely saw families like mine represented on screen growing up. What made this project so special was that everyone involved—my co-stars, our director, the crew—understood that we weren’t just making a movie. We were telling a story that mattered. It mattered to our communities, to our mothers and grandmothers, and to the next generation who deserve to see themselves reflected in all their messy, beautiful complexity.

That shared understanding gave us permission to be bolder in every creative choice—from how we balanced English and Spanish, to how we portrayed grief, joy, and sisterhood without diluting it for mainstream audiences.

And personally, as a mother, I hope this film serves as a beacon for other women who dream of raising a family while pursuing a creative career. My creativity didn’t shrink after becoming a mom—it expanded. The well got deeper. The emotions were richer. The stories carried more weight. I want women, especially mothers, to know there’s space for you in this industry. We need your voices. We need your stories. Don’t give up.

I also want to speak about language. For a long time, I felt I couldn’t fully claim my Latinidad because I didn’t speak Spanish perfectly. But this film, my creative partners, and even Mexico embraced me. They let me stumble through it and grow. I’m proud to represent a character who shows that you’re still Latine, even if you don’t speak the language fluently. There’s no single way to be Latinx. We belong—exactly as we are.

PC: Virginia, how much of these characters are drawn from the different essences and lived experiences that each of you brought to the table? As both writers and actors, how did you navigate the idea of writing what you know, while also embracing the gift actors are tasked with—the opportunity to step into a walk of life that may be entirely different from your own?
Virginia: For us, this was a rare opportunity to create characters rooted in our own essence. As actors, we don’t often get the chance to play heightened versions of ourselves within imagined circumstances—but that’s exactly what we were able to do. They say, “write what you know,” and we took that to heart.

We dove deep. This story is a mosaic of real experiences, threaded with parts of who we are. Before we were business partners and co-creators, we were friends. So sharing what we were going through came naturally. We held space for each other, and often after working through something personal, we’d say, “Let’s put that in the script,” or “What if this showed up in their dynamic or personal arc?”

The deeper we went with each other, the deeper the script became.

Now I fully understand why so many writers start by writing what they know—it allows you to tap into the nuances and specifics that make a story feel real. And ironically, the more specific we got, the more universal the story became. That’s the magic of this process.

PC: Valeria, Marta, Virginia, the way you captured the dynamic between sisters feels so authentic and deeply lived-in. Sibling relationships are always evolving—there are moments when we take turns being the protector, the mediator, or the one who needs support. Did you find yourselves stepping into those roles for each other throughout the process? And because that chemistry and sisterhood between the three of you feels so genuine, what’s a scene of your sisters that you’re proudest of—one you can’t wait for audiences to see?
Marta: Absolutely. I’m the eldest of three sisters in real life, and I’ve always carried this deep, almost maternal love for them. Their wins feel like mine, and their heartbreaks cut just as deeply. I’ve always wanted to protect them—to wrap them in a bubble so they’d never have to feel pain. Stepping into this creative journey with Virginia and Valeria felt so familiar. I naturally fell into that big sister energy, encouraging us to believe in ourselves and this wild dream of making Las Tres Sisters.

But what surprised me most was how much they ended up holding me. I may be the oldest, but with them, I get to be the messiest version of myself. I can say my wildest dreams out loud, share my darkest fears, and they never flinch. They just show up. Always. We laughed until we cried writing scenes at midnight, and danced our nerves out in the hallway before a big pitch. There’s a special intimacy that comes from creative trust—when you confide in each other not just personally, but artistically, and then lift each other up to bring those dreams to life.

One of my favorite scenes is the scorpion scene in the hotel. I absolutely love being silly—it’s my favorite place to live as an actor—and Mar, our director, gave us full permission to go all out. It was wild, unfiltered fun, and I’ll never forget trying not to break character while the crew was cracking up behind the monitor. Their laughter felt like the best kind of validation, like the film was truly working. That joy was contagious.

Valeria: I’m really lucky to have the best brother in the world—he’s my best friend—but I always wished I had sisters. And now, I do! It’s been incredible to spend the last nine years alongside these women, learning how to navigate both our professional and personal lives together.

We definitely take turns in our roles within the friendship. What’s so special about there being three of us (or really four, with Denisse behind the scenes) is that there’s always someone to step in. The world can be falling apart for one, two, or even three of us—and yet, there’s still someone standing, ready to lead, support, or offer encouragement. The chemistry and love between us is completely genuine, and I think that’s part of what makes the film feel so personal and special.

As for a scene I’m proud of, it’s hard to choose just one. But the one that comes to mind is the onion scene in the kitchen with Lucía and Sofía. That was the very first scene we ever wrote—nine years ago, as a short film. To see how it’s evolved, how our understanding of forgiveness has deepened, and how our love has grown through it all, is really amazing.

Virginia: Over the years, we’ve built dynamics—both in business and in life—that have been incredibly supportive and beneficial. But as time passes, sometimes those dynamics stop working, and that’s when we talk. We’re always in conversation with one another. It also helps that we all have the same therapist!

Honestly, we couldn’t have made it through this journey together if we weren’t willing to stay conscious, open, and committed to growth. That’s what allows us to fully step into the joy, the creativity, and the depth of this experience.

As for a scene I’m really proud of… wow, it’s hard because I’m proud of the entire film! But one that stands out is the temazcal scene. It was so meaningful to be able to honor and share such a beautiful tradition. While we were filming, the energy on set was intense and raw—it felt incredibly real. And now, when I watch it, it’s hilarious! The comedy comes from the sheer intensity of the moment, and I can’t wait for people to experience that for themselves.

PC: What’s so beautiful about this story is how each character is on their own distinct journey. Whether it’s learning to speak up for yourself in the workplace, to forgive past mistakes, to open your heart to love, or to ask for help when you need it most, there’s something quietly powerful and universally human in each arc. What’s something you discovered about yourself through these characters or the journey of telling this story together?
Marta: Playing María was a transformative experience. Through her, I discovered just how much I’d been carrying on my own—how difficult it is for me to ask for help, and how much strength there is in allowing others to show up for you. She taught me that I don’t have to be everything for everyone, and that it’s okay to let go and lean on the people who love me. I also came to realize there were relationships in my life that still needed forgiveness—some I hadn’t fully healed from—and this journey helped me soften in places I didn’t even know were still guarded.

But maybe the most powerful thing I learned was that miracles are possible. Making this film—developing these characters, building this sisterhood with Virginia and Valeria, and filming in Mexico—reconnected me to something deeper: my Latinidad, my identity as a Latina woman. I had to let go of the idea that I wasn’t “enough” because I didn’t speak perfect Spanish. Embracing my culture—fully and proudly—became part of my healing. And through this story, I hope others feel that same permission to claim all parts of who they are.

Valeria: I discovered that I can be a team player—and that I’m capable of so much more than I ever imagined on my own. Joining forces unlocked parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. Being a writer and a producer, for starters! But more than that, this process revealed the power of creating collectively. With the right people, 1 + 1 doesn’t equal 2—it equals 500.

Virginia: What I discovered about myself through this journey—especially through Sofía’s eyes—is that you can’t outrun yourself or your past. It always catches up with you. You have to face your shadow. You have to acknowledge and integrate your mistakes in order to truly learn from them. That’s the only way to be fully present with the people around you and to really show up for your life.

What I learned from the sisters’ journey is that miracles really do happen every day—but rarely in the way you expect. If you’re too focused on how you want things to unfold, or exactly how you want to receive them, you’ll miss the magic. Stay open to the journey, because life has a beautiful way of surprising you.

Make sure to follow Valeria (Instagram), Marta (Instagram), and Virginia (Instagram) Las Tres Sisters is available wherever you stream movies.