Spy Kids: Armageddon is a family affair. The fifth installment in the hit franchise follows a new group of secret spies: the Tango-Torrez family. But its family bona fides don’t stop in front of the camera; Spy Kids creator Robert Rodriguez co-wrote the film with his son Racer, and his son Rebel composed the film’s score. “I wish I could go back in a time machine and ask myself at 8, 9 years old what I wanted to see in a movie,” Rodriguez told Netflix in an interview conducted earlier this year. In his children, he found creative partners who could answer that very question — without needing to invent time travel on a tight schedule.

“He taught me that work is play,” Racer (who goes by Racer Max) said of his father. “You should enjoy what you do so much and you should be doing what you enjoy so much in your life that it just feels like play.” 

It’s a lesson not unlike the one the Tango-Torrez family learns in Armageddon. Read on to learn more about the new entry in the Spy Kids franchise — and maybe a little bit about the adventures of the Rodriguez family too. 

Robert Rodriguez/Netflix

What is Spy Kids: Armageddon about?

When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.

The first Rodriguez family story session for Spy Kids: Armageddon took place in a familiar setting for the writing duo (Racer has a story credit in his father’s 2005 film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D). “Our favorite method of writing… is, we grab our notepads (or our phones at this point), jump into the pool and float around and just talk, come up with ideas,” Racer said. 

“Let’s go in the pool, let’s come out with a movie,” Rodriguez added. And so they did.

Who is in the cast of Spy Kids: Armageddon?

The new titular Spy Kids, Tony and Patty, are played by newcomers Connor Esterson and Everly Carganilla. Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez play their parents, Terrence and Nora, and Billy Magnussen is diabolical new villain Rey “The King” Kingston. 

In an exclusive clip from the movie available only on Tudum, Tony Tango-Torrez (Esterson) introduces his classmates to his favorite video game: Hyskor. Little does he know that its mysterious founder, Rey Kingston (Billy Magnusson), plans on using it towards nefarious ends. And who better to stop him than his biggest fan?

“Each film I named the Spy Kids after some of my siblings,” Rodriguez revealed. “And this time, because I thought the little girl should be honest, she’s based on my sister, Patricia.” Patty’s brother Tony, meanwhile, was named after Rodriguez’s middle name, Anthony. “I always went by Tony when I was younger and I was of course the one who was always rigging the game,” he said.

Robert Rodriguez/Netflix

Where Can I Watch the Trailer for Spy Kids:  Armageddon?

Right here!

Will the original Spy Kids be in Spy Kids: Armageddon?

While Rodriguez stays in touch with original Spy Kids Daryl Sabara and Alexa PenaVega, he’s careful to make clear that the new film stands alone. “This movie really wants to stand on its own, kind of establish the family,” he said. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any references to the original films. “There [will] be Easter eggs,” Rodriguez promised. And you can still catch the original duo of Juni and Carmen in spin-off cartoon Spy Kids: Mission Critical, currently streaming on Netflix.

When will Spy Kids: Armageddon be on Netflix?

Spy Kids: Armageddon hits Netflix on Sept. 22. Get your Instant Cement ready.