Griselda review: a story of revenge that surprises and goes beyond violence

Netflix has made it a trend to tell the stories of great Latino criminals in dramatized form. Series Narcos, released in 2015, examined the complex relationship between politics and dirty business on the continent. This turned the premise into an analysis of a culture that supports a network of corrupt influence based on the power of arms. Moreover, he created a controversy that combined the rhythm of the drama with a cruel and ferocious background.

It’s something of both. Griselda from Netflix, created by Doug Miro, Eric Newman, Carlo Bernard and Ingrid Escajeda. The story follows the rise of Griselda Blanco (played by an unrecognizable Sofia Vergara) as the center of drug trafficking in Medellin, Colombia.. But it also reflects how the region’s social ecosystem allowed what began as a revenge story to morph into a criminal empire. The script by Doug Miro, Ingrid Escajeda and Eric Newman examines moral evil, corruption and violence using a familiar premise. A woman who, without knowledge, much less connections or means, ultimately finds her place in the cruel underworld.. And this is thanks to his cunning, sense of opportunity and insight.

The plot bears certain similarities to what surrounded Teresa Mendoza’s (Kate del Castillo) character in the series. Queen of the South. But, unlike the adaptation of the work of Arturo Perez-Reverte. Griselda is much more interested in the titular figure’s labyrinthine rise as the center of organized crime. An element that forces the plot to pay much more attention to the strategies and movements of the power figures.than in any intimate element of Griselda Blanco. The woman Vergara plays has a fierce instinct to use violence to her advantage. Also, in-depth knowledge on how to make all kinds of alliances that will allow you to easily support yourself. Which makes her a born leader of a dark empire built by hand.

Criminal as well as aggressive strategist

If there’s one thing that stands out about Griselda, it’s that she breaks away from the stereotype of the victimized woman who ultimately grows despite her tragedies. This time she’s a criminal who knows the world is moving and the resources she can use to her advantage. This nuance makes the series a much more interesting scenario than one falling into hell or a wounded woman having no choice but to fight. Vergara’s Griselda builds on the idea of ​​becoming invincible from the first chapter. Because what really matters in the story is the greatness that Griselda strives to achieve.

What the show spends a lot of time doing is creating a believable scenario. Set in the 1970s, Griselda Blanco’s Medellin is a colorful, lively city with a dark and dangerous undertone. At the same time, a space in which various mafias and threads of power connect with each other. On this occasion, the plot shows his character when he already has some debts with the law and he runs full speed to Miami. The story manages to avoid most of the crime clichés and focuses on making its setting believable. By the time the story begins, Griselda has already demonstrated her skill and strength. So the first chapter shows how she uses all these abilities to resist possible defeat.

However, while the plot has some rough edges in how Griselda became the godmother of Medellin’s criminal, it is brilliant in showing off its tricks. The character is a quick learner, not afraid to face her enemies, and Sofia Vergara’s performance gives her a practicality that makes her believable. The criminal knows the world she lives in and is determined to control it. She is great as a criminal leader and is secretive to avoid getting caught. This combination creates a memorable character that carries the series from start to finish.

Another story of violence for Netflix

The so-called Anti-Drug Godmother of Medellin is in many ways a rich myth that has left an indelible mark on the culture and even the visual image of Medellin. What the production makes clear is by showing how this woman, with the fierce ability to defeat her enemies, is also an icon.. Not only in understanding the city in which the company has concentrated its activities for decades, but at the same time in the way it has built its vast empire.

The photographs in this series show luxury as part of the waste of money and status symbols that are everywhere. Griselda then emerges as more than just a ruthless criminal. He is also a fashion icon and even dictates the aesthetic pulse of the city. This vision of the character makes him more interesting than if the focus was only on the brutality he was capable of and how he defeated his enemies.

It’s obvious that the series is trying to show Griselda as the main figure in the corrupt Medellin. At the same time, everything that happened over three decades of criminal atrocities. He doesn’t always succeed. The transitional chapters between their escapes and physical changes are clunky and boring. But overall the production is interesting and well-constructed. Moreover, with better rhythm than Narcos and other similar productions. Whether because of ambition, inattention, or because the script is little more than a series of various details about the drug trade, Griselda surprises. Not as much as it could be, but enough to be some of the best content on Netflix today.