Griselda web series review: The Netflix crime drama is based on the life of Griselda Blanco. Became a major drug mafia in the 1980s. Read our review of the first season’s 6 episodes.
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Griselda Web Series Reviews & Story
Reviews
If a real-life crime story is executed well, it’s likely to be a hit with audiences, and ‘Griselda’ is the latest example of that. This crime drama offers a highly entertaining experience that will not leave you on the edge of your seat.
Based on the exploits of drug lord Griselda Blanco, who operated her empire from Miami, this series is a brilliant blend of emotion, action, drama, and real-life events, making it a perfect story for a genre-spanning series.
The importance of this woman and why she was chosen as the subject of this biographical drama becomes clear as the series begins with a quote from the world’s most infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar: “The only man I ever feared was a woman named Griselda Blanco.” With its fast-paced tone, ‘Griselda’ meets all the criteria of a must-watch show.
Story
In this character-driven drama, Griselda’s determination, even bordering on madness, is portrayed as essential for her success in the male-dominated underworld. Griselda (played by Vergara) arrives in Miami in 1978 with her three children, leaving behind Colombia and her abusive husband. There, she finds refuge in the home of her friend Carmen.
Carmen (played by Vanessa Ferlito), who fled Medellín under similar circumstances and now runs a travel agency, offers Griselda shelter on the condition that she leaves her old drug connections behind and starts fresh. What Carmen doesn’t know is that Griselda arrived in the U.S. with a kilogram of cocaine. Griselda’s initial attempt to sell the cocaine for her children fails when her potential buyers abandon her.
Local dealers and bosses see Griselda and her team as a threat, so they try to intimidate them. However, she refuses to back down and continues on her path. During this time, the fearless wife and mother earns the admiration of others, even as law enforcement officers are relentlessly pursuing her and her associates to put them behind bars.
Despite having limited resources, Griselda manages to find her way into Miami’s drug scene. Her perseverance pays off when she meets German (played by Diego Trujillo), who eventually agrees to become her partner after a tense encounter. Her friend Arturo (played by Christian Tappan) from Medellín serves as her support system, helping her at every turn.
Griselda Release Date & Crews
| Web Series Name | Griselda |
| Language | English, Spanish |
| Dubbed In | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, German, French, Italian |
| Writer | Ingrid Escajeda, Doug Miro, Cassie Pappas |
| Director | Andres Baiz |
| Release Date | 25 January, 2024 |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Episode | 6, one hour each |
Griselda Star Cast
Sofia Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Juliana Aiden Martinez, Martin Rodriguez, Christian Tappan, Vanessa Ferlito, Jose Velazquez, Orlando Pineda, Martin Fajardo, Fredy Yate, Camilo Jemenez Varon
Griselda Acting Performance Reviews
“Griselda” is Sofia Vergara’s show, and she is fully dedicated to her role. An actress primarily known for her work in comedy over the past decade, here she proves that she has much more to offer by honing her dramatic abilities and delivering a powerful performance across all six episodes. She pours every emotion into the role. Vergara even altered her appearance with prosthetics to resemble Griselda, making her almost unrecognizable in some scenes.
Christian Tappan delivers his role as Arturo with finesse, quickly becoming one of the few characters you immediately connect with. Jose Zuniga, who plays Amilcar, one of the Miami cartel bosses, gives a sophisticated and polished performance.
Vanessa Ferlito, as Carmen, Griselda’s old friend who now runs a travel agency, brings a balanced religious perspective to the series. However, a character who certainly steals the spotlight is Juliana Aiden Martinez, who plays an intelligence analyst.
Griselda Conclusion
The true story includes several fictional elements, and the show depicts how Griselda managed to carve out her path and become the ‘Cocaine Godmother.’ Vergara’s dedicated performance further enhances the show’s appeal. It also portrays the brutality of the cartel scene in Miami during the 1980s. The captivating history of that era, combined with the creators’ detailed production, makes the show worth watching. All six episodes of Griselda are now streaming on Netflix.
It is clear that the creators conducted thorough research to capture the essence of the period. The show is further elevated by its excellent supporting cast, which brings new dimensions to the story. Characters like Arturo, the mafia accountant; Carla, Griselda’s trusted lieutenant; Amilcar, the Miami-based drug lord; and June, the police intelligence analyst, all shine in their roles, making the series worth watching.