Case of Amazon liking "Narcos Mexico" so much they borrowed it. And, since they kept to the same format it's just about passable, though completely unoriginal. Was dipping into the Canadian drama, Cardinal (2017) which coincidentally also has a lady second-in-command, whose role is to secretly inform on a male Boss. Guess this sort of thing is passing for popular now. Nobody either in this one as good as 'Kiki' of Narcos Mexico. That former show takes some beating! And they could easily have changed that American Police Series opening Music to something a little more Mexican, for example some Rancheros.
25 Reviews
Very watchable
Sara_Tor29 September 2021
This is basically a straight, solid action type show, although it's not going to win any awards. It's a narco soap opera, with a little bit of something for everyone. CIA spy missions, narco gangland wars, and romantic entanglements, check check check. The acting is decent and the storyline is fine, albeit a bit convoluted and with some frustratingly stupid decision making.
Enjoyable, if dark (literally)
collierandy14 May 2021
This is a solid series. It feels authentic, good acting and plot. My main gripe is the lighting. It's like on a number of occasions the lighting crew didn't turn up and the director just decided 'Well let's just not bother with light then'. Even with my tv on Dynamic and the curtains closed, I struggled to see some of these dark scenes. Hope they fix that for season 2.
Great thrilling Spanish-English Drama !
nonsensefans22 July 2020
The cast are superb, especially James Purefoy..I know he's British but he speaks Spanish so well and play the character handsomely! The storyline are not boring and every episodes are pretty thrilling..Leaving you wanting for more, epecially towards few ends episode. Overall this show is pretty good for a binge watch. I hopes there will be more seasons for sure !!
Must watch
greatasifkhan22 July 2020
Great Film, but dark
Tfbcnx11 November 2020
First bilingual show I see (and love)
bettina-abascal22 July 2020
I rarely write reviews but this show deserves one. It is so refreshing to watch a bilingual show done right! Must watch past the first episode, after episode two it hooks you in. The plot twists are great, the storyline is excellent. And of course it very timely. Great production! Season 2 please?!?!?
Mexico DF
danielcereto9 October 2020
I love Joaquin Cosio since his role as Cochiloco in El Infierno movie (super recommended) and in Narcos Mexico. I just watched this series for him and I think overall it's a promising starting point. Lead actors are great and Joaquin is amazing as always. Probably the series is a bit lower in quality as series like Narcos or Zero Zero Zero, but with a few great addings on second season it can become a classic too. So, overall recommended for usual Mexican-American Narco-series fans.
This is the dark but real side from Mexico...
caribbeanrulo-6089326 July 2020
I was very impressed when I began to watch this series! I really liked it and I hope to see a second season! Guys, this worth to watch and if you like drugs, cartels and corruption, trust me, this is your tv series.
Nail biter!
dianafridman24 July 2020
Dull and predictable
anarchronox11 September 2020
Great entertainment
nicola_smith_us22 October 2021
El Candidato
therealpanita115 October 2020
The production team did excellent research of Mexican politics, history and locations. Those familiar with Mexico and specially Mexico City will appreciate their work.
El Candidato has an overview that is very realistic of lives of Mexico City residents (Chilangos); from the domestic helper, to those who work odd jobs for the weathy, to the weathy (fresas) and their complicated lifestyles is all very realistic.
From the rough streets of Mexico City's Tepito market neighborhood to the mansions of high end neighborhoods such as Lomas de Chapultepec, the scenery that is Mexico City was portrait as is. Not sure how many Mexicans will view their depiction in the same eyea as it is my experience that most Latin Americans do not like to see our lives recorded publicly.
The US Mexico relationship is also well presented and true to love hate between the US Mexican relations.
Yes the story build in this series was very good too.
El Candidato has an overview that is very realistic of lives of Mexico City residents (Chilangos); from the domestic helper, to those who work odd jobs for the weathy, to the weathy (fresas) and their complicated lifestyles is all very realistic.
From the rough streets of Mexico City's Tepito market neighborhood to the mansions of high end neighborhoods such as Lomas de Chapultepec, the scenery that is Mexico City was portrait as is. Not sure how many Mexicans will view their depiction in the same eyea as it is my experience that most Latin Americans do not like to see our lives recorded publicly.
The US Mexico relationship is also well presented and true to love hate between the US Mexican relations.
Yes the story build in this series was very good too.
Very highly recommended.
markfeelgood4 September 2020
This show doesn't seem to have had much in the way of promotion but it is truly excellent. Every episode is on a par with the best episodes of Narcos. James Purefoy absolutely knocks his role out of the park and is truly convincing as a jaded and grizzled American CIA agent. Excellent cast, convincing and involving storylines, believable sets and great actors. The pace never lets up. An absolutely enjoyable 10 episode experience. Fingers crossed a season 2 will quickly follow.
11 Stars
zendyude14 January 2022
I don't know if I have given 10 stars to a show, and I'm super picky about the dime a dozen shows these days. But Amazon hit it out of the ball park with this one. It's a hidden gem it seems like since there are not many reviews. Very tight show with an amazing plot, great actors and keeps you engaged throughout. Every scene is crafted with an artistic flair, and at times the camera stays on a face for much longer than expected but it fits in. Isa was a bit cold initially but warms up nicely into her role. Unnecessary drama is at a minimum, action is tight without excessive blood, shooting and gore. Eagerly awaiting the next season - the filmmakers did an outstanding job here!
Outstanding !!
mpjwilkins15 January 2021
This rates top billing from my perspective for best direction, best acting, best production, best sound/music, etc etc. great story line and quick believable plot when you think about the reach of the Mexican cartels. This shows a gem and can't wait for Season 2 !!
Dark really really dark
bud2mac_0310 April 2021
The picture is really so dark that is distracting. The cause, in my opinion maybe due to: director trying to be very unique and create an intriguing atmosphere. In our case the effort failed as we turned off after the first episode.
Gritty and Gripping
mike_olley4 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Probably the best thing I've seen Jane's Purefoy do ever. Can't imagine why there are only 10 episodes and not 10 seasons. Beyond that it's strongly put together with an intelligent well written script - but trust me watch it. It's great....!!!
Great show waiting for the continue.
filippopiccinini22 August 2021
Excellent work of the cast, dialogues and ambience are credible.
Characters are mysterious but at the same time you get to know them easily.
Also, I believe bilingual scenarios set up by the authors are giving a life like touch to the plot, making it more interesting to be followed for anyone that wants to learn new languages.
Characters are mysterious but at the same time you get to know them easily.
Also, I believe bilingual scenarios set up by the authors are giving a life like touch to the plot, making it more interesting to be followed for anyone that wants to learn new languages.
Amazing
chivis-6982710 January 2021
Love it.
It describes Mexico's politicians and the way they relates with "narcos" in an excellent story full of suspense. Every episode is amazing.
Great actores, Great music, Great cinematography.
I'm waiting for season 2.
For (narco) crime lovers
dzeilstra11 July 2021
If you liked Narcos you will love El Candidato. A very well made series that got me totally hooked. Compelling plot lines, good acting and twists where you don't expect them. Great entertainment. And oh... for the darkness - just close the curtains and turn off the light.
Promising, but doesn't drliver
milescheifetz26 September 2021
Although El Candidato has some good action and appears to be well-directed, it fails to reach its potential. It is sluggish and I found it hard to watch all of a single ~55 minute episode. The screenplay is good, and Mexico's long-running narco-terrorism problems, combined with government corruption provide a never ending source for this type of Prime Video or Netflix miniseries. James Purefoy and Erendirra Ibarra are excellent actors, but by the halfway mark (end of S1 E5) I'd had enough.
Addicting to Watch
wednesdayskorner4 April 2021
Incredibly well-written, acting is spectacular, and I want a second season! Wayne Addison is lovable even as flawed as he is and with good reason. Episodes 7 and 8 are my favorite, but I can rewatch from 1-10 and still see something new each time. It feels spontaneous and I like that it doesn't hold back.
mediocre and clichéed
keenast13 November 2022
Practically all 'lead' roles are the usual cliché. Seen often enough before. The script itself also is a tired rehash. Acting is mediocre - no wonder with that script. And additionally, cinematography is terrible - not only that everything is drained of any color, why is that, the images are so dark one has a hard time to figure out what's actually happening. Not to forget there are some weird issues with sound, our lead actress sounds like her microphone is buried deep inside/under her clothes.
With some more originality and (way) better writing, especially dialog it could be a much more worthwhile production.
With some more originality and (way) better writing, especially dialog it could be a much more worthwhile production.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
