Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Television’s fascination with the cocaine-fueled world of the cartel is nothing new – we’ve seemingly entered a golden age of drug shows, and in its first two seasons, Netflix‘s Narcos swiftly cemented itself as an example of the powerful potential of the genre. Narcos‘ tale of Pablo Escobar’s rise to power has kept audiences captivated (and will undoubtedly continue to when its third season debuts at some time this fall), and if you’re feeling impatient, another similar series happens to have dropped on Netflix last week. El Chapo, a co-production of Univision and Netflix, similarly offers an origin story of a powerful drug lord – but this one may ring a little more familiar with a younger audience.
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the now-infamous drug lord who ran the Sinaloa Cartel, has made headlines several times over the last few years as he’s escaped incarceration and been apprehended on multiple occasions, but he wasn’t always the figure we know him as today. Before he was considered the most powerful drug trafficker in the entire world, he was a low-level member of the Guadalajara Cartel – and wanted nothing more to impress one Pablo Escobar. El Chapo chronicles his rise to power and the tumultuous path of captures and escapes that followed, and it’s just as addicting – if not more so – than Narcos.
While Narcos balances its English and Spanish-language use, El Chapo is largely delivered in Spanish – but the show’s intensity ensures you’ll quickly forget you’re reading subtitles and instead be on the edge of your seat wondering what move the kingpin might make next. The series begins with the images we know well – the footage of his arrest and the reactions from media personalities that followed – and smoothly transitions from these real clips to actor Marco de la O’s portrayal of Guzmán. He’s a perfect choice to play Guzmán, and quickly charms us, despite what we know he’ll soon be capable of. It’s reminiscent of the previously-unknown Wagner Moura’s turn as Escobar; he fully manifests the famous man with every move, and it’s absolutely captivating. Guzman dreams of leaving behind the simple task of marijuana trafficking and moving towards blow, but Miguel Ángel – “The Godfather” – best known as the founder of the Guadalajara Cartel – does not believe he’s ready to move forward. They’ve got all the men they need, and all he needs Guzman for is to aid Escobar in his tasks.
The fascinating humble beginnings of El Chapo that are rarely seen – particularly his relationship with Escobar, the Medellín Cartel, and other big names, a link that Narcos fans are bound to enjoy – make this series a wholly compelling venture and perfect companion show for Narcos. El Chapo has already been renewed for a second season set to air in September (with a Netflix debut sure to follow), and it’s not hard to see why. These crime thrillers are both armed with chilling sequences, riveting performances, and equally haunting theme songs – and they’re bound to leave you wanting to know more about the crime-ridden, morally-deprived world of the cartel and all the characters that come with it. Whether you’ve seen Narcos or not, you deserve to indulge in El Chapo. It’s just too good not to take a hit.
