Netflix releases “La Captura” about El Chapo's arrest

Netflix has released the Mexican film “La Captura” (internationally titled “Facing El Chapo”), a thriller that reconstructs the 2016 arrest of Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán in Los Mochis, Sinaloa.

Directed by Chava Cartas, the production distinguishes itself from typical “narco” genre films by shifting the focus from the criminal to the federal police officers involved. The story follows two officers, portrayed by Alfonso Herrera and Noé Hernández, who encounter Guzmán by chance after he escapes through a drainage system during a Navy operation. The narrative emphasizes the moral dilemmas and intense pressure faced by the agents as they resist massive bribery attempts and threats while awaiting reinforcements.

The film is based on journalistic accounts by Héctor de Mauleón and has seen significant global streaming success, reaching the top of Netflix charts in multiple countries. While the film uses fictionalized names for the officers to protect their real-world identities, it is inspired by the documented events of “Operation Black Swan.”