'Facing El Chapo' Netflix Review: A Compelling Crime Thriller Based On True Events

How do you capture one of the most notorious drug lords who has managed to escape from prison twice? The Mexican film Facing El Chapo, which is based on true events, focuses on the third and final arrest of one of the most influential criminals in the world. It’s said that El Chapo’s influence and wealth were on par with Pablo Escobar, and naturally, his arrest continues to be a significant moment in recent history and popular culture. Just like in Escobar’s case, where you have the prominent crime thriller series, Narcos, and the documentary series, Pablo Escobar, The Drug Lord, and a couple of films such as Loving Pablo and Escobar: Paradise Lost, El Chapo’s life story too has been a great source of inspiration for films and shows, like El Chapo, The Day I Met El Chapo, and The Rise and Fall of El Chapo, among others. The recent release is a new addition to an already existing list of adaptations and documentaries based on the subject’s life. So, the question is whether this one is worth a watch; continue reading to find out. 

The film unfolds from the perspective of two federal police officers, Carmona and Rosales. Arturo Carmona has recently decided to work the night shift to make more than his usual salary. He and his wife are about to welcome their third child, and Carmona desperately needs the extra money to provide for his family. Hector Rosales has recently been transferred from Arteaga to Los Mochis. Rosales and Carmona are paired together to patrol the night; since Commissioner Valladares can’t really trust Rosales yet, he asks his trusted officer, Carmona, to keep an eye on him. In the first couple of days, Carmona struggles to gauge if Rosales is an honest cop or if he has links with the cartel. Considering the sheer volume of dirty cops in the police department, it is not surprising that Carmona feels that way. Although Rosales can completely understand the reason behind Carmona’s suspicion, he obviously hates the fact that his partner doesn’t have faith in him. He wants to win Carmona’s trust, but that takes time, and until they eventually bond, he can’t really speed up the process. Carmona and Rosales barely knew each other when they unexpectedly came across El Chapo; some might call it great luck, but for the two officers, the whole operation was intensely nerve-wracking. 

Carmona and Rosales have been on a 12-hour night shift, they are exhausted and almost about to call it a day when they are suddenly asked to hold their positions, since the Navy had gotten into a clash with the cartel. They soon also learn about a stolen red Ford Focus, and within a few seconds, they watch the same car drive past them. They immediately decide to follow the car; they have no idea who is driving, and they simply assume that the missing car is the actual concern. Carmona and Rosales manage to convince the driver to step out of the car, and they are shocked to see that the man in question is El Cholo, El Chapo’s trusted chief of security. He mentions that his “boss” is in the car, so it would be wise of them not to take any bold steps. If you’ve read about the case (since detailed reports are available on the internet), then you know how the story ends, but the focus of the film is on how these two cops who were completely unprepared to deal with such a notorious criminal tackle the situation so bravely. 

Throughout the runtime of the film, I was glued to the screen. The pacing of “Facing El Chapo” is well-balanced, and the fact that it unfolds from the perspective of the two cops makes it all the more compelling. The perspective establishes from the get-go that El Chapo isn’t really the “subject” here, the heroes of the story are these two men who aren’t really well off; they are struggling in their everyday lives, they barely make enough, yet their sheer desire to do the right thing keeps them going. Carmona’s character is quite well written, the reason why the operation becomes so personal for him is aptly established, and the personal struggle, the night shift, and his tiredness, which not just stems from the night shift but from the overall state of the nation as a result of the war on drugs, add layers to the character. Considering Rosales is a supporting character, I think whatever we learn about him is quite adequate. The film isn’t character-heavy, the focus ultimately stays on El Chapo’s arrest, and the whole “will they (make it), won’t they” is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat, regardless of whether you’ve read up on the case or not. That’s pretty much what you would expect from a crime thriller, and Facing El Chapo clearly doesn’t disappoint. Considering El Chapo’s vast criminal history and his large organization, they could’ve made the choice to explore as many angles, but I’m glad that the film stays focused on just the 2016 arrest, keeping the tension and the stakes high. 

Is “Facing El Chapo” extraordinarily good? Well, it’s a solid Netflix watch, but you won’t really remember the film for its visual spectacle. The film does what it’s supposed to, it puts forth the challenges the police officers who were on duty that day faced, and I think that’s a pretty good reason to watch the film. The emphasis is on this well-covered true event, and the presentation is decent enough. The fact that a police officer had to share a room with El Chapo in a motel for a few petrifying hours is in itself a very interesting story, and that’s exactly what the film focused on. The cast delivers a convincing performance, especially Alfonso Herrera as Arturo Carmona and Noe Hernandez as Hector Rosales. Herrera’s strong on-screen presence holds the attention of the audience, and Hernandez’s earnest portrayal of Rosales will make you sympathize with the character. Overall, Facing El Chapo is definitely worth a watch if you enjoy crime thrillers based on real events. The film is exciting, thrilling, nerve-wracking, and evokes all the emotions that you would want to experience while watching the arrest of one of the most infamous criminals in the world.