Netflix has been turning out self-made hits for sometime now. “Orange is the New Black” and “House of Cards” quickly became some of the most talked about shows around, as well as gained critical acclaim. Netflix’s newest hit, “Narcos,” is bound to join those ranks.

The new drug drama chronicles the life and times of drug lord Pablo Escobar. As Escobar and his cousin, Javier Peña rise to power in corrupt Colombia, DEA agent Steve Murphy tries to track them down.

The show has an edgy yet realistic feel to it. Murphy keeps the audience invested as he narrates each episode. Without this narration one could easily find themselves lost in the complex world of the Medellín Cartel.

Actor Wagner Moura perfectly portrays Escobar’s intensity as he bribes and threatens his way to the top of the cocaine market. Despite his apparent greed for wealth and power, he manages to invoke sympathy as he cares for his family and community.

The shows use of archival footage of slain police officers and cartel members helps to blur the lines between reality and entertainment.

Ultimately, the show is a balance of action and information. The exciting scenes of shootouts between gangsters and police are juxtaposed with the intricate details of the Medellin cartel and U.S. involvement.

At only 28 years old, Pablo Escobar quickly rose to power in the early eighties and was bringing in close to $5 billion a year. It’s interesting how the show emphasizes this as the main reason for the U.S. to finally take notice of what was happening, despite the mass amount of deaths related to the cartel.

Escobar and the empire he created are a fascinating part of history, and the show is one of the most entertaining and captivating of the year.