As I flipped through Netflix, I came across a film called Wasp Network. This movie hit the streaming service in June of this year. Though, it was originally shown at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2019. Wasp Network features some pretty impressive names – Penelope Cruz, Ana de Armas, and Wagner Moura. This is de Armas and Moura’s second film I’ve seen together and Ben Affleck, you better watch out (I’m kidding, seriously). The film also stars Edgar Ramirez and Gael Garcia Bernal. Directed by Olivier Assayas, Wasp Network is based on the book The Last Soldiers of the Cold War, by Fernando Morais.
What Was The Objective of Wasp Network?
Wasp Network is about Cuban spies in America during the 1990s. It’s based on a true story and one that I was not aware of. It’s always great when you can gain some knowledge of something that happened that you were not aware of – especially when it happened within the decade you were born. At first, you think the film is about Cuban defectors. You then find out that these supposed defectors were spies, sent to America to infiltrate groups planning attacks against Fidel Castro and Cuba.
Edgar Ramirez plays the main character, René González. I was really engaged with his storyline. A husband who leaves Cuba and his wife, played by Cruz; behind. It was tragic. You believe that René made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Meaning, possibly, never seeing his family again. All while Cruz’s Olga must struggle daily and be labeled a traitor’s wife.
We then have Moura’s suave Juan Pablo Roque. As someone who is a massive fan of Narcos, I love seeing Moura in anything. I was also happy to see him reunited with de Armas, who played the fun and gorgeous Ana Margarita Martínez. Moura and de Armas played spouses in the Netflix’s film Sergio and their chemistry was just palpable here as it was in the former. Though, Moura’s character really ends up screwing de Armas’ character off in the end. Either way, I loved their chemistry.
Wasp Network did get a little confusing at times. Primarily because everyone was so good at pretending to be defectors and really never gave any indication to the contrary. It wasn’t until the middle of the film [even further in] that it was finally revealed. Even then, though; it wasn’t as if any personalities changed and they really weren’t very convincing at spies. In movies like this, we often look to see who is on “the right side”. On one side you have spies on American soil. On another, though; you have rebels who are literally blowing up hotels. Killing international tourists in Cuba. There really wasn’t a “right side”. There were just people and it’s because the film isn’t about our country, I don’t think that our minds can comprehend what they were going through. Do we even have a right to judge?
Rating: 3.7/5
While the Wasp Network took a little time to pick up and was confusing at times, I did enjoy it. All of the main players were great in it. So, I definitely recommend watching Wasp Network next time you’re wondering what to watch on Netflix.
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