Griselda (2024) Drama Movie Review
"This TV show, 'Griselda,' is causing problems for our community and people. It's not just about the crime; it's about how they portray us.
In the third episode, two Latino cops have a conversation: 'It's messing up our community, our people. Not just the crime. The way they see us.' The response: 'So you're going to change the way they see us.'
This dialogue is meant to reassure viewers who, like me, are skeptical about yet another drug-related story. Many of these high-budget shows tend to reinforce the idea that Latinos and immigrants are naturally inclined towards criminal behavior, even though statistics prove otherwise.
'Griselda' attempts to address this issue by featuring a Latina cop, Juliana Aidén Martinez as June, as its main detective. June eventually teams up with another Latino cop to take down the cartel boss, played by Sofia Vergara. The show tries to show that Latinas can have roles beyond stereotypes.
%20Drama%20Movie.jpg "Griselda (2024) Drama Movie")
However, the attempt falls short. The story revolves around a Colombian immigrant involved in drugs and murder, contributing to a negative perception of our communities. The fact that Griselda's world is predominantly Latinx adds to the problem. Even though she may sell to 'rich white people,' her business partners are all Colombian, Cuban, and so on."
The show "Griselda" has a moment where the mother of a slain lieutenant praises the main character, Griselda, surprising viewers who expected a portrayal of regular community members. Even seemingly respectable Latinxs in the show are revealed to be involved in criminal activities.
From the start, the focus is on criminality, given that the story revolves around one of the most famous Narcos, Griselda, comparable to Pablo Escobar. Sofía Vergara, despite initial claims of being "unrecognizable" due to prosthetics, brings her star power to the role, leaving male characters in the show and some viewers unsure whether they'd rather kill or have a romantic interest in her.
The show follows the traditional crime-boss journey, with Griselda making escalating decisions leading to a life of crime and cruelty. The inevitable tragic ending, marked by paranoia and isolation, is a common theme in these stories.
Despite this, "Griselda" doesn't shy away from acknowledging that some people do drugs for fun. The party scenes are enjoyable, but Griselda's early violent tendencies hint that these festivities will take a dark turn, as seen dramatically in episode five.