Canadian brothers Nick (Josh Hutcherson) and Dylan (Brady Corbet) found a surfing school on the Colombian coast. When Nick and Maria (Claudia Traisac) start flirting, Dylan can’t shake off the feeling that it isn’t right. Maria happens to be infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar’s (Benicio del Toro) niece and Dylan wants nothing to do with his dangerous schemes. A few local gangsters that threatened Nick end up dying soon after. The infatuated young Nick does not want to believe that Pablo is behind what happened, even though he told Escobar about the gang. He and Maria even move in to Pablo’s estate, ignoring his brother’s warnings. When Nick finally realizes the explosive situation he is in it is already too late.

ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST is comprised of two very distinct halves. The first part merely implies danger. The atmosphere is ominous but life and death are not the focus yet. The drama transforms into an outright thriller in the second half. Nick needs to take care of an assignment for Pablo, hesitates while on the job, and realizes he is on the chopping block. From that point on director Andrea Di Stefano leaves no room for hope. The cartel lead by the popular Pablo, presenting itself as an honorable family business at first, rears its ugly head. The transition from character drama to thriller is smooth and largely indebted to lead actor Josh Hutcherson known from the HUNGER GAMES films. Benicio del Toro’s head honcho discusses god, luck, love, and plays with kids in the pool at first. Later on when it comes down to business he shows that he has no ties and no mercy.

Christian Horn

Translation: Elinor Lewy