Crime Diaries: The Candidate

"Crime Diaries: The Candidate" is a gripping true crime series from Netflix that first aired in 2019. Based on real-life events, the show takes us through a journey of power, corruption, and crime that rocked a nation and sent shockwaves around the world. Captivating, intense and sometimes chilling, "Crime Diaries: The Candidate" pulls viewers into its intricate narrative from the first episode and keeps them hooked till the end.

The show plunges the viewer into the heart of Mexico’s political landscape, focusing on the events leading up to the 1994 assassination of Luis Donaldo Colosio, a charismatic presidential candidate from Mexico's ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party. Colosio’s death is an event that profoundly affected not just Mexico’s political scene, but also its citizens, forever altering the course of the country’s history.

"Crime Diaries: The Candidate" crafts an intricate narrative that explores the events preceding the assassination, delving deep into the world of politics, power play, and intrigue. It presents a thorough recreation of these events, mapping the tensions within Mexico’s ruling party, the mounting social inequality in the country, and the rising violence that set the stage for the deadly act.

Each episode of the series delves into a different facet of the crime and its aftermath, pulling together a complex web of political rivalry, corruption, and treachery. The series pulls from a variety of sources including news footage, interviews, and official reports to create a comprehensive view of the crime. Moreover, it delves into the subsequent investigations, court trials, and the media frenzy that followed the event.

The show excellently captures the life of Colosio, a rising political figure who was seen as a beacon of hope for many Mexican citizens. It provides an insight into his personal life and his political journey, elevating the narrative from just a crime story to an intimate portrait of a man who wanted to make a difference in his country.

The characters in "Crime Diaries: The Candidate" are brilliantly portrayed, each uniquely contributing to the tension and intrigue. Beyond this, the series gives insights into the effects of the crime on the lives of ordinary Mexicans and the tension that pervaded the nation following the assassination. It uncovers varying perspectives of the case, bringing to light the complexity and the high stakes involved in the investigation.

"Crime Diaries: The Candidate" brilliantly manages to maintain a sense of suspense throughout its eight episodes, despite its viewers being aware of the inevitable outcome from the outset. The intense human drama, compelling narrative, and excellent portrayals previously unseen aspects of the crime capture the audience's attention, delivering a true-crime series that is as enlightening as it is captivating.

The series is skilfully directed and the cinematography is top-notch, expertly capturing the environment, emotion, and tension of the time. The sound design and the series’ music is excellent as well, making for an immersive viewing experience.

One of the distinguishing features of "Crime Diaries: The Candidate" is its earnest attempt to deliver an impartial view of the events. Instead of taking a heavy-handed approach, the series presents the facts and theories in an open-ended manner, leaving the viewers to draw their own conclusions.

The tagline of "Crime Diaries: The Candidate" is ‘He was the president Mexico wanted. His murder wasn’t what anyone expected.’ The series stays true to this statement, presenting a nuanced portrait of Luis Donaldo Colosio, his dreams for his country and the tragic end to those dreams.

In conclusion, "Crime Diaries: The Candidate" offers a fascinating, suspenseful examination of a key event in Mexican history. It is a true-crime series that would appeal to history enthusiasts, crime buffs, and those keen on understanding the intricacies of political power dynamics. The show manages to entertain, inform, and intrigue from start to finish, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime dramas.