Escobar: Paradise Lost

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Escobar: Paradise Lost is available in Australia on Stan, and in the US on Philo and Fawesome right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Benicio del Toro anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Start it on Stan whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Escobar: Paradise Lost earns its spot. At its heart, Escobar: Paradise Lost understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. For Pablo Escobar family is everything. When young surfer Nick falls for Escobar's niece, Maria, he finds his life on the line when he's pulled into the dangerous world of the family business. Credit to Benicio del Toro and Josh Hutcherson for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. Escobar: Paradise Lost came out in 2014. The plot mechanics of Escobar: Paradise Lost never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, Escobar: Paradise Lost delivers. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Benicio del Toro's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.