Puerta 7

Puerta 7 is a gripping Argentine thriller series, developed by Netflix and first aired on the platform in 2020. The ten-part series is all about football fandom, gangs, corruption, and how lives intersect within the treacherous complexity of Argentina's fervent football scene.

The series goes beyond the thrill of the game, diving deep into the underbelly of the football industry. It's a riveting exploration of the notoriously brutal football hooliganism known as Barras Bravas. Puerta 7 unfolds against the gritty narrative of organized crime, power, and violence associated with the Barras Bravas in Argentina.

The plot mainly revolves around three characters. Notably, an ambitious woman named Diana, who is determined to break the criminal cycles that envelop the football club, Guillermo, a life-long fan caught up in the Barras Brava culture and bootstrapping his way through its hierarchical system, and the young and impoverished Lomito, who finds a sense of power and belonging in the violent football gang culture.

Getting into the characters deeply, Diana is a lawyer and an uncompromising woman tirelessly attempting to liberate the club from its endemic corruption. She wields the strength of integrity amid an atmosphere heavily dominated by male figures, embodying a beacon of hope and resilience.

Guillermo is compelling in his struggle to navigate his passion for the club and the violent culture that has engulfed it. His struggle highlights the paradox of loyalty and violence within the culture of the club's hardcore fans.

Lomito's character provides a keen look inside the world of Barras Bravas from the perspective of a member. He is a character hardened by life, unafraid, pushing boundaries, and deeply entrenched in the hooligan's violent lifestyle.

Puerta 7 tells a story that merges love for football with terrifying crime, revealing a striking difference between the football match's exhilarating thrill and the dark, tempestuous world controlled by organized crime. The intensity of the series is further fueled by the powerful performance of the actors who enhance the characters' emotional depth and engage viewers' empathy.

The series is captivating in how it presents an image of Argentina from an angle often hidden from the touristic gaze, presenting a stark and compelling image of Buenos Aires. The dark aesthetic and the impeccable set design paints a vivid image of the urban landscape and its people - loyal fans and ultras, ambitious individuals, outright criminals, corrupt officials, and more.

Beyond the relentless energy of football and the violent passion of hooliganism that take center stage, the series also subtly addresses social issues like poverty, gender inequality, and social mobility - all seamlessly woven into the narrative that emerges from the world of football.

For those who are football lovers, Puerta 7 offers a sense of familiarity, not just with the pitch's passion but the real world around it. The series gains depth and variety by touching the realities of those whose lives revolve around football, from the fervent fans to power struggle-ridden club managers.

The dynamic world of Puerta 7 is meticulously crafted by renowned Argentinian screenwriter Martín Zimmerman, best known for his work on Netflix's Narcos. He has skillfully merged the thrill of football with the complex dialectics of livelihood, passion, and crime. In its totality, the series is a powerful portrayal of football's pain and glory, where hope and despair sit side by side, in the stands and behind the scenes.

Shot in the Spanish language, Netflix's Puerta 7 also offers English subtitles, making the series accessible to a worldwide audience. The series is a thrilling watch for those who prefer action-packed crime television, capturing not only the thrilling vibrancy of football but the raw grimness of life outside the pitch.

Puerta 7, in its essence, is not just about football. It is a thriller which embarks on shedding light on social issues and criminal networks under the guise of a sports drama. This makes it an interesting watch for not just football lovers but also viewers who appreciate crime and sociopolitical dramas. Its authentic recreation of Argentina's football culture and the intense blend of action, drama, and emotion make it a standout in its genre.