Movies About Cartel

From Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Rated R

Scarface is a 1983 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma. The film follows the rise and fall of Cuban refugee Tony Montana (Al Pacino) as he gains power and status in the drug underworld of 1980s Miami. After arriving in Miami and gaining a green card, Tony begins working for a drug kingpin, Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia). With the help of his friend Manny, Tony quickly rises to power and builds an empire built on money, drugs, and violence. However, as Tony's power and wealth increase, so does the pressure from rival gangs and law enforcement. As his world begins to crumble, Tony must choose between maintaining his power and facing the consequences of his criminal lifestyle.

From José Padilha, starring Wagner Moura, André Ramiro, Caio Junqueira, Milhem Cortaz
Rated R

Elite Squad is a Brazilian crime drama film directed by José Padilha, released in 2007. The story follows Captain Nascimento (played by Wagner Moura), who is a member of the BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Especiais), a special operations unit of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police. When Nascimento is promoted to captain, he is assigned the task of reforming the BOPE unit, which is in disarray due to infighting, corruption, and political interference. Under his command, the BOPE unit sets out to battle the criminal underworld of Rio de Janeiro, particularly the favelas, where drug traffickers and organized crime are rampant. The film follows the BOPE team's violent struggles against drug lords and organized crime, as well as Nascimento's personal struggles with his own inner demons. With a dark, realistic depiction of the violence and corruption of Rio de Janeiro, Elite Squad is a powerful and emotional film, exploring the moral complexity of the fight against crime and the sacrifices that must be made in the name of justice.

From Billy Corben, starring Jon Roberts, Al Sunshine, Sam Burstyn, Mickey Munday
Rated R

Cocaine Cowboys is a 2006 documentary film directed by Billy Corben. The film tells the story of the drug trade, and its far-reaching effects on the city of Miami, Florida during the 1970s and 1980s. It focuses on the rise of drug kingpin Griselda Blanco and her organization, who brought the drug to the city and turned the area into the drug capital of the United States. Through interviews with law enforcement, former drug traffickers, and journalists, the film examines the violent and notorious underworld that flourished in Miami during this time. The film also looks at the lasting impact the drug trade had on the city, and its inhabitants.

From Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin
Rated R

American Gangster is a 2007 American crime film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian. The film tells the true story of Frank Lucas, a crime boss from Harlem who smuggles heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. After the death of his mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem neighborhood. He gains control of the city's drug trade and starts a vast empire, making him one of the wealthiest African American men in the country. As his career and power grow, Lucas is pursued by a determined NYPD detective, Richie Roberts, who is determined to bring him down. Lucas must now battle with the law and other criminals in order to stay on top.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jon Bernthal
Rated R

Sicario is a crime drama directed by Denis Villeneuve about the escalating war on drugs along the border between the United States and Mexico. The story follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she joins a secret task force led by Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro) to bring down a powerful drug cartel. The team's mission takes them to Juarez, Mexico, where they face danger and difficult moral choices as they become increasingly entangled in a web of corruption, violence, and betrayal. As they push further into the cartel's territory, their tactics become more extreme, testing their limits and putting the lives of everyone involved at risk.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jacob Vargas
Rated R

Traffic is an American crime drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Stephen Gaghan. Set in both Mexico and the United States, the film follows multiple characters in their attempts to battle the illegal drug trade. It stars an ensemble cast, including Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzmán, Dennis Quaid, and others. The story focuses on the U.S. war on drugs and its impact on the people of both countries. It follows a prominent Mexican police officer, Javier Rodriguez (Del Toro), who is trying to bring down a massive drug cartel; a newly appointed drug czar in the U.S., Robert Wakefield (Douglas), who is struggling to balance his job and his family life; and a naive high-schooler in San Diego, Carlos Ayala (Jacob Vargas), who is tempted by drugs and accidentally becomes a drug kingpin. The film examines the complex social, political, and financial forces that drive the drug trade, as well as its devastating human cost. It shows how difficult it can be to make a difference in the face of systemic corruption and powerful corporate interests. The film won four Academy Awards,

From David Ayer, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera
Rated R

End of Watch is a 2012 action-drama film directed by David Ayer. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers who patrol South Central Los Angeles and become involved in a series of highly dangerous cases. As the partners become increasingly successful, they make enemies with a powerful Mexican drug cartel. The film's narrative follows their daily lives, showing the real danger they face, as well as the strong bond of friendship between them. The film features a mix of vérité-style footage as well as a found-footage style, blurring the line between documentary and narrative. It is a powerful story of police officers trying to do their best in a difficult job.

From Ted Demme, starring Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente, Rachel Griffiths
Rated R

Blow is a 2001 American biographical crime drama film directed by Ted Demme and starring Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, and Ray Liotta. The film is based on the true story of George Jung, a cocaine smuggler during the 1970s and 1980s. The story follows Jung's life from his childhood in Massachusetts until his arrest in 1987, revealing how he got involved in the drug business and became a major part of the infamous Medellín Cartel. The film also follows Jung as he struggles to cope with the tragic death of his father, his mother's descent into alcoholism, and his tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend and partner, Barbara. Ultimately, Jung is arrested and sentenced to 60 years in prison, and the film ends with his eventual release.

From Matthew Heineman, starring Tim Nailer Foley, José Manuel 'El Doctor' Mireles, Paco Valencia, Chaneque
Rated R

From Shaul Schwarz, starring
Rated R

From Doug Liman, starring Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons
Rated R

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Patrick L. Reyes, Cesar De León, Gustavo Muñoz
Rated R

From Stefano Sollima, starring Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Merced, Jeffrey Donovan
Rated R

From Brad Furman, starring Bryan Cranston, John Leguizamo, Diane Kruger, Amy Ryan
Rated R

From Phillip Noyce, starring Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe, Anne Archer, Joaquim de Almeida
Rated PG-13

From Mario Van Peebles, starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Allen Payne, Chris Rock
Rated R

From Gerardo Naranjo, starring Stephanie Sigman, Noé Hernández, Irene Azuela, J.R. Yenque
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro
Rated R

From Olivier Megaton, starring Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Callum Blue, Jordi Mollà
Rated PG-13

From Jee-woon Kim, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro
Rated R

From F. Gary Gray, starring Vin Diesel, Timothy Olyphant, Larenz Tate, Geno Silva
Rated R

From Michael Mann, starring Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Gong Li, Naomie Harris
Rated R