Escobar lands on Prime Video on April 15, 2026. Directed by Fernando León de Aranoa, this dramatic biopic released in theaters in 2018 traces the rise and brutality of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Starring Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz and Peter Sarsgaard, the film follows the viewpoint of journalist Virginia Vallejo, whose relationship with Escobar provides the throughline of the narrative.
Escobar
Film | 2018
Cinema release: April 18, 2018
On Prime Video on April 15, 2026
Biopic, Drama | Runtime: 2h03
Directed by Fernando León de Aranoa | Starring Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard
Original title: Loving Pablo
Nationality: Spain, Bulgaria
The film follows Pablo Escobar as the head of the Medellín cartel expands his grip on Colombia, becoming one of the most feared criminals of the late 20th century. Alongside him, Virginia Vallejo, a journalist and media figure, gradually comes to understand what his proximity to a man whose charisma and influence operate in an atmosphere of corruption, fear, and extreme violence really entails.
Escobar is adapted from Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar, Virginia Vallejo’s book. This adaptation choice lends the film a more intimate perspective than a purely criminal one, situating the story at the crossroads of Colombian political history and a relationship defined by fascination, control, and danger. Vallejo’s perspective allows us to trace how Escobar built both his public legend and his mafia power.
The project also marks a key milestone in Javier Bardem’s career, a long-cherished passion project in which he also serves as a producer. Bardem sought to avoid a stereotypical portrayal of the drug lord, shaping a physical presence that, in his own words, drew inspiration from the hippopotamus—a nod to Escobar. Penélope Cruz, meanwhile, leaned on extensive audiovisual documentation about Virginia Vallejo to guide her portrayal.
The film marks a fresh on-screen pairing for Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, who have collaborated on screen several times before. Bardem also reunites here with director Fernando León de Aranoa after Les Lundis au soleil and Scorpion in Love. Peter Sarsgaard completes the main cast in the role of Agent Shepard.
Filmed in Colombia, on location in natural settings to anchor the story as closely as possible to the places tied to this history. This local embedding strengthens the film’s political dimension, which goes beyond Pablo Escobar as a mere legendary figure and repositions his reign within the chaos unleashed by the cartels, corruption, and power struggles. Prime Video revisits a film that treats Pablo Escobar not simply as a criminal legend, but as the center of a far larger system of destruction.
To go further, also check out our selection of Prime Video’s April releases, our guide to streaming premieres across all platforms, and today’s pick Que regarder aujourd’hui en streaming.
