In the treacherous labyrinth of drug cartel history, Griselda Blanco carves out a mythological niche, one so formidable that even Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord, reportedly steered clear of her. Netflix’s mini-series “Griselda” chooses this legendary figure as its centerpiece, enigmatic and seemingly larger than life. The true brilliance of “Griselda” emanates from Sofía Vergara’s masterful portrayal of the titular character, which deftly transcends the limitations of her reputation as merely a fearsome presence.
The narco-drama, “Griselda,” faithfully recreates the shadowy world of the 1970s and ’80s drug trade, tracing the meteoric rise of Blanco as she carves out her narcotics fiefdom in Miami’s criminal underworld. On the lam from her spouse, who wields power over a Colombian cartel, Blanco and her three offspring make a daring escape to Miami. What begins as a single kilogram of cocaine, meant to serve as her springboard into the Miami drug market, quickly burgeons into an operation of astonishing scope and magnitude.
At its core, “Griselda” is yet another rendition of the archetypical underdog saga—a narrative steeped in trials, tribulations, and eventual triumph. Nonetheless, director Andrés Baiz, alongside Vergara’s interpretational finesse, elevates the series beyond typical crime drama fare, delivering both efficiency and entertainment in equal measure.
The six-episode series opts for brevity, eschewing a comprehensive biographical approach in favor of honing in on Blanco’s most notorious period. Such a decision risked rendering Blanco’s character arc incomplete or elusive; however, this pitfall is skillfully avoided through a judicious blend of storytelling techniques and character development.
“Griselda” zeroes in on Blanco’s life at a pivotal juncture—as a middle-aged matriarch. This angle lends a refreshing perspective to the trope of the underdog, showcasing her dual struggles as a caregiver and an emerging criminal mastermind. With a narrative that sometimes races through the intricacies of her dark enterprise, it falls upon Vergara to delve deeper, imbuing the character with a textured and nuanced humanity.
Vergara’s embodiment of Griselda Blanco across the limited series displays a visceral, almost instinctual understanding of the character’s complexities. Whether through subtle gestures that recall a past gunshot wound or a dramatic evolution from anxious mother to imperious cartel leader, Vergara’s performance conveys both the overarching transformation and the minute subtleties of Blanco’s persona.
Joining Vergara in this gritty tableau is the remarkable Juliana Aidén Martinez, portraying the determined police officer June Hawkins. Martinez’s Hawkins emerges as a socio-legal contrast to Blanco, with both characters battling for recognition and respect within their male-dominated spheres.
In the portrayal of notorious figures such as Escobar or Blanco, there often lies a tendency to sensationalize or strip the character of their banality. Vergara adeptly avoids such pitfalls, instead presenting Blanco through various stages of her life without confining her to the stereotype of the dreaded criminally inclined maven. While designed as an engaging and dramatized rendition, rather than a strict biographical account, the series carries sufficient narrative weight to captivate and sustain viewer interest throughout.
“Griselda,” now streaming on Netflix, is an invitation to peer into the enigmatic figure of Griselda Blanco—a testament to strength and survival in the face of insurmountable odds. The series is neither an exhaustive study of her life nor a didactic account; it is, instead, a compelling story heightened by Sofía Vergara’s masterful performance that resonates long after the screen fades to black.
