ZeroZeroZero is an epic crime saga about the global cocaine trade, told from three perspectives: the Mexican cartel that produces the drug, the Italian mafia that distributes it, and the American shipping company caught in the middle. Based on Roberto Saviano's book, the series is a sweeping, cinematic exploration of capitalism's dark underbelly.
The structure is ambitious, following a single shipment of cocaine from production to delivery across eight episodes. This allows the show to explore the complete ecosystem of the drug trade, from the growers in South America to the consumers in Europe. Each perspective is rendered with equal depth, creating a comprehensive portrait of an industry that operates beyond the reach of law.
The American storyline, centered on the shipping family played by Andrea Riseborough and Dane DeHaan, is the show's emotional anchor. Their struggles with a legitimate business that has become entangled with organized crime raise uncomfortable questions about complicity and responsibility. The Mexican storyline features a cartel enforcer (Harold Torres) whose journey from soldier to leader is both brutal and surprisingly moving.
The production values are extraordinary. The show moves from the mountains of Mexico to the ports of Italy to the corporate offices of New Orleans with cinematic sweep. The direction by Stefano Sollima and his collaborators is tense and immersive, with set pieces that rival any crime film.
ZeroZeroZero is essential viewing for fans of international crime sagas. It's The Godfather meets Traffic, with the scope of a novel and the impact of a documentary.