I enjoyed this movie, but I have yet to see a film show the depth of narco-violence in full honesty. Many related films (e.g. Infierno, Coyote, Sicario) touch on it, but they pull back always, and right when realism calls for naturalism (i.e. Today, a "simple" gun execution is considered a merciful fate; decapitations are a manner of death and do not occur after death). For instance, Infierno would have been a far different film had the Zetas been presented (although they are alluded to when Reyes gets help from the City of Reynosa). One has only to view how Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel compete with decapitation videos to understand that while Infierno has moments of suspense and horror, it does not create an overwhelming sense f dread.
Well acted and photographed otherwise.
Well acted and photographed otherwise.