El Chapo (2017–2018) is a Spanish-language crime drama series that aired on the streaming platform Netflix. It’s based on the real-life story of Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán, one of the most infamous drug lords in the world and the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. The show dives deep into his rise to power, his capture, and his escapes from high-security prisons.
The series tracks El Chapo’s life from his humble beginnings in rural Mexico to his eventual reign as one of the most dangerous and powerful men in the world. It covers his operations with the Sinaloa Cartel, his tactical moves to avoid being caught by law enforcement, and the complex relationships with rival cartels, the Mexican government, and the U.S. authorities.
The show spans multiple time periods, focusing on different phases of his criminal career. It starts with his time as a young man working under the older drug lord Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, before he eventually rises to take control of the Sinaloa Cartel. It also delves into his dramatic prison escapes, including his infamous tunnel escape, which was widely covered in the media.
El Chapo was praised for its intense storytelling and dark portrayal of the Mexican drug trade. Its pacing, which alternates between El Chapo’s rise and fall, keeps the tension high throughout. Some criticized it for simplifying or fictionalizing certain aspects of the story, but overall, it was well-received by viewers who enjoy gritty crime dramas.
The show is relatively fast-paced, with action sequences, tense moments, and some gritty depictions of violence, reflecting the brutal world El Chapo inhabited.
If you’re a fan of crime dramas with a real-world basis or are intrigued by the lives of notorious figures, El Chapo offers a compelling glimpse into the violent and complex world of Mexico’s drug cartels.
