Films about cartels often dive into the dark and dangerous world of drug trafficking and organized crime. They portray the power struggles, violence, and complexities within these criminal organizations, often based on or inspired by real-life events and figures. These movies can range from action-packed thrillers to dramatic presentations of the moral dilemmas faced by those involved on both sides of the law.
“Sicario”, 2015
Director: Denis Villeneuve
This gripping thriller follows an idealistic FBI agent who is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico. The film explores the moral gray areas of the battle against cartels.
Starring: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Victor Garber, Jon Bernthal, Daniel Kaluuya, Jeffrey Donovan, Raoul Max Trujillo, Julio Cesar Cedillo, Hank Rogerson;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Sicario” on the website imdb.com
“Traffic”, 2000
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this film tells the intertwined stories of various characters involved in the drug trade and the war against drugs, including a conservative judge who discovers his daughter is an addict, a wife who takes over her husband’s drug business, and a Mexican cop who finds himself caught in the middle of the drug war.
Starring: Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, Dennis Quaid, Erika Christensen, Jacob Vargas, Miguel Ferrer, Steven Bauer, Clifton Collins Jr.;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 147 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Traffic” on the website imdb.com
“Cartel Land”, 2015
Director: Matthew Heineman
This documentary focuses on the state of Michoacán, Mexico, and the vigilante groups fighting against the drug cartels. It presents a gritty and realistic portrayal of the complexities and dangers of taking the law into one's own hands.
Starring: Tim Nailer Foley, José Manuel «El Doctor» Mireles, Paco Valencia, Chaneque, Caballo, Enrique Peña Nieto, Ana Valencia, Estanislao Beltránin, Janet Fields, Nicolás Sierra;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: documentary;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Cartel Land” on the website imdb.com
“American Made”, 2017
Director: Doug Liman
Starring Tom Cruise, this film is based on the true story of Barry Seal, a TWA pilot who became a drug smuggler for the Medellín Cartel in the 1980s. Eventually caught by the DEA, Seal becomes an informant and must navigate a dangerous path between the U.S. government and Pablo Escobar's cartel.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons, Caleb Landry Jones, Lola Kirke, Jayma Mays, Alejandro Edda, Benito Martinez, E. Roger Mitchell;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: action, drama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “American Made” on the website imdb.com
“Narcos”, 2015
Director: Andrés Baiz, Josef Kubota Wladyka, Fernando Coimbra, Gerardo Naranjo
Although a TV series and not a film, “Narcos” deserves mention for its detailed and compelling depiction of the history and inner workings of the Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, and the subsequent rise of the Cali Cartel.
Starring: Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal, Joanna Christie, Maurice Compte, André Mattos, Roberto Urbina, Diego Cataño, Jorge A. Jimenez, Paulina Gaitan;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: crime, drama;
Age: 18+;
Rating: IMDB: 8,8;
More information about the film “Narcos” on the website imdb.com
“End of Watch”, 2012
Director: David Ayer
This film follows two young LAPD officers who inadvertently discover the operations of a human trafficking ring tied to a drug cartel. Their discovery puts them in the crosshairs of the cartel, leading to a violent confrontation.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, Frank Grillo, David Harbour, America Ferrera, Cody Horn, Shondrella Avery, Cle Sloan;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, crime, action, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
“Miss Bala”, 2019
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
This Mexican film tells the story of a young beauty pageant contestant who witnesses drug-related murders and is forced to work for a cartel. It's a gripping tale of survival and the loss of innocence amid the cartel's violence.
Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Thomas Dekker, Vivian Chan, Barbarella Pardo, Cristina Rodlo, Sebastián Cano, Gaby Orihuela, Damián Alcázar, Ricardo Abarca, Ismael Cruz Cordova;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Miss Bala” on the website imdb.com
“The Counselor”, 2013
Director: Ridley Scott
Directed by Ridley Scott, this film revolves around a greedy lawyer who gets involved in a high-stakes drug trafficking scheme. The involvement quickly spirals out of control, illustrating the perils and moral corruption within the world of cartels.
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt, Bruno Ganz, Rosie Perez, Sam Spruell, Toby Kebbell, Emma Catherine Rigby;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime, detective, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,4;
More information about the film “The Counselor” on the website imdb.com
“Savages”, 2012
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, “Savages” portrays two marijuana growers and their shared girlfriend who become targets of a Mexican drug cartel. The film delves into the violent conflict and tactical maneuvers on both sides.
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Emile Hirsch, Demián Bichir, Joel Moore, Shea Whigham;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “Savages” on the website imdb.com
These films, through their storytelling and character development, offer a window into the complicated dynamics of drug cartels and the profound effects of these organizations on individuals and societies.
In conclusion, films about cartels not only offer audiences a gripping and often harrowing window into the high-stakes world of drug trafficking but also provide critical reflections on broader social and political issues. Through their depictions of brutal violence, complex characters, and the far-reaching impacts of the drug trade, these films explore the global dimensions of cartel operations and their corrosive effects on communities and nations. Whether through the lens of gritty realism, suspenseful thrillers, or nuanced drama, cartel films confront viewers with the harsh realities of a multi-billion-dollar industry that thrives on exploitation and corruption. Beyond pure entertainment, they challenge us to think critically about issues of justice, power, and morality, making them an important part of contemporary cinema's engagement with pressing global concerns.
