'ZeroZeroZero' is a global cocaine drama set to impress in Amazon Prime Video's thrilling package
Spoiler-free review of Amazon Prime Video series 'ZeroZeroZero'
One of the first things about Amazon Prime Video's drug cartel/crime series 'ZeroZeroZero' that completely captures you is the soundtrack. Provided by Mogwai, the action crime drama utilizes an intense soundtrack laden with tension that ties you to the cruel story of cocaine.
'ZeroZeroZero' is an action crime drama that spans three continents and six different countries following the journey of a cocaine shipment, from the moment a powerful cartel of Italian criminals decides to buy it until the cargo is delivered and paid for.
However, before it gets to that, 'ZeroZeroZero' takes its own time to establish its premise. That is not to say the story is lax, but if you must put the blame, it should go to meticulously designed characters from all walks of life from across the globe.
Inspired by the book of the same title from best-selling author Roberto Saviano, whose debut 'Gomorrah' created waves in the crime world, 'ZeroZeroZero' explores how international cocaine trade has its roots in the fragile network linking powerful organizations that are riddled with corruption and deceit.
However, the series' strongest asset is its characters strung together by a powerful narrative. Through its characters' stories, the series explains the mechanisms by which the illegal economy becomes part of the legal economy.
How does this affect the lives of the common man? How does an unending, brutal game of power affect the lives and relationships of people? That's what the show explores.
Mexican cartels manage the drug's production, Italian crime syndicates handle worldwide distribution and American businessmen and women, who are apparently above suspicion, control the seemingly infinite amount of money which this market produces. More than that, they control lives across the world causing irreparable damage.
A massive shipment of cocaine is on its way from Mexico to Europe, but a model that is supposed to work fluidly disturbs its tangent and the whole plan comes crashing down.
Thus begins a power struggle between everyone involved. Interestingly, there are characters you would have never imagined playing a role in this devious ploy, and then the dreadful thought that we're all mere pawns in the big game is frightfully near.
Starring Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, Gabriel Byrne, Harold Torres, Giuseppe De Domenico, Adriano Chiaramida, Noé Hernández, Tchéky Karyo, Francesco Colella, and Claudia Pineda among others, 'ZeroZeroZero' is not new in the market of shows on drug cartels.
We barely know how many stories are already out there. However, here's the thing about 'ZeroZeroZero' — it is not trying to compete with the rest.
It is aware of the story it wants to tell, of its assets and carries a cautious, conscientious pace. It might feel tempting to give up after the first episode, but we'd advise you to stick around — good stories take time.
All episodes of 'ZeroZeroZero' release on Amazon Prime Video on March 6, 2020.