Sr. Avila

Sr. Avila is a television series that aired from 2013 to 2018 on HBO and HBO Latino. An original Mexican production, Sr. Avila brings a fresh take to the crime drama genre, blending a darkly comic tone with intense dramatic storylines.

The series revolves around Roberto Avila, a seemingly average insurance salesman living in Mexico City. He maintains a seemingly ordinary life, complete with a job with regular hours, a wife, and a son. However, beneath that façade lies an alternate dystopian universe he both navigates and controls. Roberto Avila leads a double life as a professional hitman at the heart of a murder-for-hire business. His secret identity is Mr. Avila, the head of a highly successful yet highly illicit business operating in the shadows of the city, appropriately dubbed the 'murder enterprise'.

As the show progresses, Avila faces numerous challenges in maintaining the balance between his respectable societal identity and his dark criminal persona. He must navigate the moral complexity of his job, keep his family safe, and protect his secret from getting exposed. The charges of managing expertise, competing criminal organizations, recruiting new talent, and evading law enforcers contribute to the thrilling tension and danger that Avíla has to confront on a daily basis.

The series does an excellent job of emphasizing the duality of Avila’s character. Through exquisite storytelling that juxtaposes the mundane routines of his day job with his role in the criminal underworld, audiences bear witness to Avila’s constantly shifting internal struggle. As he walks a tightrope between respectability and ruthlessness, viewers grapple with his divided loyalties and ever-complicating life.

Sr. Avila is characterized by a mix of crime, drama, and elements of black comedy, bringing a bit of levity into otherwise grave and tense scenes. The cast delivers a stellar performance, with Tony Dalton playing the role of Sr. Avila, complimented by a talented ensemble that includes Carlos Aragón, Camila Selser, and Juan Carlos Remolina, among others. Their performances contribute to the authentic texture of the series, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Moreover, the series is highly regarded for its plot twists and captivating storylines, creating an intense narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seat. Its darkly comedic undertones also contrast with the show’s inherent gloominess, creating a unique blend of the humorous and the horrifying, making Sr. Avila more than just a traditional murder drama.

Sr. Avila also stands out because of its elegant visual presentation. The scenes are expertly shot, capturing the duality of Avila’s life by contrasting the ordinary-looking institutions from daytime with the chilling aesthetics of nighttime, where the dark side of the city and the seedy underground unfolds. The cinematography, combined with the meticulously detailed sets, contribute to making Sr. Avila a visually gripping series.

The creative team behind Sr. Avila includes Walter and Marcelo Slavich (writers), Fernando Rovzar, Billy Rovzar, and Alexis Fridman (producers), and creators Walter and Marcelo Slavich. Their shared vision and combined efforts have made Sr. Avila a successful series and have resulted in the series earning several accolades, including an International Emmy in 2018 for Dalton’s exceptional portrayal of Sr. Avila.

In summary, Sr. Avila presents an interesting blend of crime, drama, and black comedy, through the story of an insurance salesman who leads a dangerous double life. The series explores complex themes of duality, morality, and identity, presenting a unique take on the crime drama genre that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The Championing high-quality storytelling and exceptional performances led Sr. Avila to rise to critical acclaim, standing as a testament to the remarkable potential of Mexican television worldwide.