Narco-Saints
Narco-Saints
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Narco-Saints

7.7
Yr 2022
Rt 62m
Status Ended
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

An ordinary entrepreneur joins a secret government mission to capture a Korean drug lord operating in South America.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 75 /100

Narco-Saints received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its fast pacing, gritty tone, and engaging suspense. Many reviewers highlighted how effectively the series builds tension around an ordinary businessman navigating high-stakes negotiations with dangerous drug lords, noting that its tightly woven script makes for an absorbing watch.

Critics also appreciated the show's polished production and unique perspective, showing how Asian figures play into South American drug operations while largely avoiding excessive regional stereotypes. The main cast delivered strong, grounded performances that anchored the series throughout its six episodes.

However, some reviewers felt the series was ultimately predictable and unoriginal, relying heavily on standard crime drama tropes, violence, and shock value. Additionally, critics noted that the narrative is heavily male-dominated and offers little focus on local characters within its setting.

“intense, but well written and it's easy to get absorbed in it”

“a well-paced thriller that effectively builds up to a truly exhilarating climax”

“tightly woven and subtly suspenseful”

“strong performances can’t save this predictable crime drama”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
CA • UK • US
Netflix Standard with Ads
CA • UK • US
Why fans love it

Suriname serves as an unusual backdrop for this crime miniseries. While most stories about the global drug trade focus on well-trodden territories, this production shifts the focus to a South American nation that remains a rare location for television narratives of this scale. The conflict hinges on the tension between a common businessman and a kingpin claiming divine authority over his operations.

Hwang Jung-min leads a cast that navigates the dangerous geography and political instability of the region. The plot draws from actual events, emphasizing the disconnect between a legal enterprise and the clandestine underworld of drug lords. By grounding a government mission in a remote setting far from the protagonists home, the series builds stakes through isolation and the difficulty of conducting surveillance where law enforcement lacks a footprint.

Production Board

Crew

Visual Effects
Sound Supervisor
Special Effects Supervisor
Costume Design
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Production Sound Mixer
Creator
Director
Digital Intermediate
Martial Arts Choreographer
Original Music Composer
Producer
Director of Photography
Lighting Director
Production Design
Editor
Props
Makeup & Hair
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Narco-Saints overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

drug dealer based on true story miniseries drug lord rare export suriname
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 09, 2022
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
62 minutes
Origin
KR
TMDB Votes
169