Narcos Review: Pablo Escobar's Rise and Fall
8.5/10 — Narcos (2015)
Pros
- Wagner Moura's Escobar
- Stylish storytelling
- Authentic setting
Cons
- Voice-over is clichéd
- Weaker later seasons
The first two seasons follow the rise of Pablo Escobar, played by Wagner Moura, and the DEA agents trying to stop him, including Pedro Pascal’s Javier Peña. Later seasons move to the Cali cartel.
What works
Moura is magnetic as Escobar, a monstrous yet charismatic figure, and the series mixes archive footage with drama effectively. The Colombian setting feels authentic, and much of the dialogue is in Spanish.
Where it falters
The English-language narration can feel clichéd, and later seasons without Escobar are less compelling.
Verdict
Gripping and stylish, strongest in its first two seasons.
