If you know me, you know that I am a huge fan of Netflix’s Narcos and Narcos: Mexico. This is why, when it was suggested that fans of Narcos should check out Amazon Prime’s ZeroZeroZero; I indeed checked it out. Eight episodes, released on March 6th, and based on a novel of the same name by Roberto Saviano. The series is about an international shipping company that is a cocaine broker between Mexican and Italian crime families.
The Plot
Is ZeroZeroZero similar enough to Narcos to fill the void? No. Not really. Narcos and Narcos: Mexico deals with a lot of characters, but is focused enough on the region in which it’s taking place within. ZeroZeroZero is international. Sometimes, we’re in Italy, America, and Mexico. There are cutaway scenes and flashbacks that we aren’t aware are flashbacks. So, the timing is a little confusing. There’s some pause/slow down scenes that are unnecessary and annoying at times.
The Players Involved
What I did like, though; was the international aspect of the show. I enjoyed seeing the Italian family and the drama between the grandson (Giuseppe De Domenico as Stefano La Piana) and grandfather (Adriano Chiaramida as Don Damiano “Minu” La Piana). I also enjoyed the story of Manuel Contreras (played by Harold Torres), a soldier in the Mexican Army; and what drove him. I also enjoyed the separate languages spoken in this series and all of the different players involved.
Andrea Riseborough as Emma Lynwood and Dane DeHaan as Chris Lynwood played siblings in charge of the shipping between the two families. There was so much that went on in their mission to complete the shipment of cocaine. A lot of heart-pounding events happened and we see what occurs in the same event to the different parties involved. Riseborough and DeHaan did a great job, but I can’t be the only one who felt their relationship was a little…too close?
Rating: 3.5/5
The end scene was shot really well and just framed perfectly. The ending was left open and I would be interested to see how Emma is going to even tackle the challenges in season two? If there is a season two, I’d love to see Manuel again, as there is so much to that character. It could survive on its own, but should get a second season. While there’s some things that I didn’t like about the show, I overall thought it was interesting enough to keep your attention. While a little soap opera-ish and some James Patterson-ish, ZeroZeroZero should be something you check out.
A girl with too many fandoms to count.
