Case of Amazon liking "Narcos Mexico" so much they borrowed it. And, since they kept to the same format it's just about passable, though completely unoriginal. Was dipping into the Canadian drama, Cardinal (2017) which coincidentally also has a lady second-in-command, whose role is to secretly inform on a male Boss. Guess this sort of thing is passing for popular now. Nobody either in this one as good as 'Kiki' of Narcos Mexico. That former show takes some beating! And they could easily have changed that American Police Series opening Music to something a little more Mexican, for example some Rancheros.
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refordgarry5 September 2020
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danielcereto9 October 2020I love Joaquin Cosio since his role as Cochiloco in El Infierno movie (super recommended) and in Narcos Mexico. I just watched this series for him and I think overall it's a promising starting point. Lead actors are great and Joaquin is amazing as always. Probably the series is a bit lower in quality as series like Narcos or Zero Zero Zero, but with a few great addings on second season it can become a classic too. So, overall recommended for usual Mexican-American Narco-series fans.
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collierandy14 May 2021This is a solid series. It feels authentic, good acting and plot. My main gripe is the lighting. It's like on a number of occasions the lighting crew didn't turn up and the director just decided 'Well let's just not bother with light then'. Even with my tv on Dynamic and the curtains closed, I struggled to see some of these dark scenes. Hope they fix that for season 2.
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nonsensefans22 July 2020The cast are superb, especially James Purefoy..I know he's British but he speaks Spanish so well and play the character handsomely! The storyline are not boring and every episodes are pretty thrilling..Leaving you wanting for more, epecially towards few ends episode. Overall this show is pretty good for a binge watch. I hopes there will be more seasons for sure !!
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greatasifkhan22 July 2020Absolutely brilliant awesome thriller I like this acting is also very good it watch all episodes at one time like great narcos
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Sara_Tor29 September 2021This is basically a straight, solid action type show, although it's not going to win any awards. It's a narco soap opera, with a little bit of something for everyone. CIA spy missions, narco gangland wars, and romantic entanglements, check check check. The acting is decent and the storyline is fine, albeit a bit convoluted and with some frustratingly stupid decision making.
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bettina-abascal22 July 2020I rarely write reviews but this show deserves one. It is so refreshing to watch a bilingual show done right! Must watch past the first episode, after episode two it hooks you in. The plot twists are great, the storyline is excellent. And of course it very timely. Great production! Season 2 please?!?!?
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Tfbcnx11 November 2020Literally dark, like watching tv with sunglasses on. A little difficult to watch. Like a great song, but bad records. Excellent story, believe-able actors an edge of the seat spy series
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I was very impressed when I began to watch this series! I really liked it and I hope to see a second season! Guys, this worth to watch and if you like drugs, cartels and corruption, trust me, this is your tv series.
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dianafridman24 July 2020Great show! Great plot, amazing cast, couldn't stop watching. Can't wait to see season 2!!!
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anarchronox11 September 2020There was nothing original about it. Most of the times, the story just seemed like a botched copy-paste job. The acting was mediocre at best.
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nicola_smith_us22 October 2021Episode 1 is a bit hammy in places but not the rest of the season. It is a great series, fast paced, and a well thought out plot. All the characters are intetesting. I loved it. Please make season 2.
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therealpanita115 October 2020The production team did excellent research of Mexican politics, history and locations. Those familiar with Mexico and specially Mexico City will appreciate their work.
El Candidato has an overview that is very realistic of lives of Mexico City residents (Chilangos); from the domestic helper, to those who work odd jobs for the weathy, to the weathy (fresas) and their complicated lifestyles is all very realistic.
From the rough streets of Mexico City's Tepito market neighborhood to the mansions of high end neighborhoods such as Lomas de Chapultepec, the scenery that is Mexico City was portrait as is. Not sure how many Mexicans will view their depiction in the same eyea as it is my experience that most Latin Americans do not like to see our lives recorded publicly.
The US Mexico relationship is also well presented and true to love hate between the US Mexican relations.
Yes the story build in this series was very good too. -
markfeelgood4 September 2020This show doesn't seem to have had much in the way of promotion but it is truly excellent. Every episode is on a par with the best episodes of Narcos. James Purefoy absolutely knocks his role out of the park and is truly convincing as a jaded and grizzled American CIA agent. Excellent cast, convincing and involving storylines, believable sets and great actors. The pace never lets up. An absolutely enjoyable 10 episode experience. Fingers crossed a season 2 will quickly follow.
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I don't know if I have given 10 stars to a show, and I'm super picky about the dime a dozen shows these days. But Amazon hit it out of the ball park with this one. It's a hidden gem it seems like since there are not many reviews. Very tight show with an amazing plot, great actors and keeps you engaged throughout. Every scene is crafted with an artistic flair, and at times the camera stays on a face for much longer than expected but it fits in. Isa was a bit cold initially but warms up nicely into her role. Unnecessary drama is at a minimum, action is tight without excessive blood, shooting and gore. Eagerly awaiting the next season - the filmmakers did an outstanding job here!
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mike_olley4 November 2021Probably the best thing I've seen Jane's Purefoy do ever. Can't imagine why there are only 10 episodes and not 10 seasons. Beyond that it's strongly put together with an intelligent well written script - but trust me watch it. It's great....!!!
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bud2mac_0310 April 2021The picture is really so dark that is distracting. The cause, in my opinion maybe due to: director trying to be very unique and create an intriguing atmosphere. In our case the effort failed as we turned off after the first episode.
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mpjwilkins15 January 2021This rates top billing from my perspective for best direction, best acting, best production, best sound/music, etc etc. great story line and quick believable plot when you think about the reach of the Mexican cartels. This shows a gem and can't wait for Season 2 !!
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filippopiccinini22 August 2021Excellent work of the cast, dialogues and ambience are credible.
Characters are mysterious but at the same time you get to know them easily.
Also, I believe bilingual scenarios set up by the authors are giving a life like touch to the plot, making it more interesting to be followed for anyone that wants to learn new languages. -
chivis-6982710 January 2021Love it. It describes Mexico's politicians and the way they relates with "narcos" in an excellent story full of suspense. Every episode is amazing. Great actores, Great music, Great cinematography. I'm waiting for season 2.
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wednesdayskorner4 April 2021Incredibly well-written, acting is spectacular, and I want a second season! Wayne Addison is lovable even as flawed as he is and with good reason. Episodes 7 and 8 are my favorite, but I can rewatch from 1-10 and still see something new each time. It feels spontaneous and I like that it doesn't hold back.
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milescheifetz26 September 2021Although El Candidato has some good action and appears to be well-directed, it fails to reach its potential. It is sluggish and I found it hard to watch all of a single ~55 minute episode. The screenplay is good, and Mexico's long-running narco-terrorism problems, combined with government corruption provide a never ending source for this type of Prime Video or Netflix miniseries. James Purefoy and Erendirra Ibarra are excellent actors, but by the halfway mark (end of S1 E5) I'd had enough.
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dzeilstra11 July 2021If you liked Narcos you will love El Candidato. A very well made series that got me totally hooked. Compelling plot lines, good acting and twists where you don't expect them. Great entertainment. And oh... for the darkness - just close the curtains and turn off the light.
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keenast13 November 2022Practically all 'lead' roles are the usual cliché. Seen often enough before. The script itself also is a tired rehash. Acting is mediocre - no wonder with that script. And additionally, cinematography is terrible - not only that everything is drained of any color, why is that, the images are so dark one has a hard time to figure out what's actually happening. Not to forget there are some weird issues with sound, our lead actress sounds like her microphone is buried deep inside/under her clothes.
With some more originality and (way) better writing, especially dialog it could be a much more worthwhile production.