Miami, Florida – The highly anticipated limited series “Griselda” is set to premiere on Netflix on January 25. Created by Eric Newman and Andrés Baiz, the show offers viewers a captivating and brutal revenge story centered around the life of real-life drug queenpin Griselda Blanco. Portrayed by Sofía Vergara, Griselda’s rise to power as The Godmother of the Medellín Cartel is anything but ordinary.
Unlike traditional underworld narratives, “Griselda” delves into the mind of a highly meticulous and intelligent woman who seeks to reclaim everything that was ever stolen from her, even if it means destroying herself in the process. The fast-paced and well-acted show is filled with high drama, gripping the audience from the very beginning.
Set in late 1970s Medellín, Columbia, the series opens with Griselda, played by Vergara, fleeing her home in distress. On the run, she brings her sons along and heads to Miami, where she embraces the city’s vibrant energy. It becomes immediately clear that reinvention is a skill Griselda has perfected.
Cramped in a tiny house with her sons, Griselda refuses to settle for a menial job at her friend’s travel agency. Ignoring promises to leave the drug game behind, she immediately starts selling the drugs she smuggled into the country. The show depicts her relentless pursuit of power for herself and her children, as she encounters misogyny, violence, and intimidation along the way.
While the limited series compresses Griselda’s three years in South Florida into just six episodes, not a moment is wasted. Every scene is carefully crafted and significant, propelling the tightly paced narrative forward. By the fifth episode, “Paradise Lost,” set in 1981, Griselda has transformed into a crack-cocaine-fueled monster in a lavish castle, showcasing the dark consequences of power and greed.
The cast, including Vergara, delivers stellar performances, with Martín Rodríguez’s portrayal of criminal mastermind Jorge “Rivi” Ayala-Rivera standing out as mesmerizing. Despite a few minor missteps in the series, such as an overly obvious hand-motion and a tonally mismatched scene, “Griselda” remains a soaring portrayal of a woman who evolves from prey to predator.
Intriguing and thought-provoking, “Griselda” offers a reflection on taking control of one’s life and narrative. Premiering on Netflix, the show promises to captivate viewers with its intense storytelling and compelling characters. “Griselda” is not just a tale of survival, but a testament to the power of determination and the depths one can go to protect what’s theirs.