The Cartel has built a real following in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix among viewers who want their action grounded in something real. Every one of its 2 seasons holds up. Its 8/10 TMDB score, built from 599 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Juan Pablo Raba anchors the chaos with real screen presence. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

The Cartel is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The set pieces are impressive, but it is the story underneath them that gives The Cartel its staying power. The Cartel follows ten friends, all of them members of a dangerous drug cartel, whose ambition for power and money will cause them to eventually kill each other. For it is an undeniable truth that, in this business, you always lose. Juan Pablo Raba and Diego Cadavid lead a cast that gives the action real stakes. Across 2 seasons (2008–2010), it never lost the thread that made it worth starting. The action sequences are expensive-looking without drawing attention to their own budget — they serve the story rather than interrupting it. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

For viewers who want their entertainment to move fast and not waste a scene, The Cartel respects your time. The tonal similarities to Enemigo íntimo are real, though The Cartel carves out its own identity quickly. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Juan Pablo Raba brings a physicality to the role that elevates every set piece. Action that earns its sequences rather than just delivering them.

The Cartel was cancelled in 2010, created by Andrés López López — and 2 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.