Hotel Cocaine

I really enjoyed the two episodes I've watched so far. I love the fashion of that era as well the cars and home decor. I just stumbled across this series on a bore filled Tuesday morning and thought I would give it a try. The actors are solid and talented. So far, two and a half episodes in it definitely has my attention and I'm invested enough where I definitely want to see how this all unravels or pulls together. It's not groundbreaking by any means, but I would definitely watch season two if executives decide to renew the series... which I hope they do!!! In some small way it reminds me of Dexter. Not that it's about a serial killer, but it takes place in Florida and the main character seems like a stand up guy that's thrown into a turbulent situation where no matter what he does, what choices he makes there will be a price to pay. I would definitely recommend this show, it's got drama, crime, cocaine, clubs and even the legendary Rick Super Freak James!!! I've now watched all four episodes released and it keeps getting better and better. I also wanted to add it will make you laugh as well. The owner of the cocaine hotel is a total drugged out, good time boss. Whenever he's in a scene it's typically a humorous one!!!

I just finished watching Hotel Cocaine and have to say I really enjoyed it. I love these narco, drug cartel type shows so this was made for people like me. It was created by the same people that made the amazing Narcos & Narcos: Mexico series on Netflix and the very good Godfather of Harlem. While this isn't anywhere near as good as those three shows it's still good enough to spend your time watching. It's a true story about a Cuban exile named Roman Compte (Danny Pino) who is the general manager of a hotel called The Mutiny, he's also the brother of one of the biggest drug dealers in Florida at the time named Nestor Cabal (Yul Vazquez). When a DEA agent (Michael Chiklis) makes Roman help him arrest his brother all hell breaks loose. As long as you're not expecting it to be as good as Narcos then I think you'll enjoy it.

Well what can I say?

Hotel Cocaine is a thrilling dive into the hedonistic and dangerous world of 1970s Miami, centered around the infamous Mutiny Hotel, where the lines between luxury and lawlessness blur. The series immediately sets itself apart with its vibrant energy, drawing viewers into a whirlwind of decadence, crime, and high-stakes drama.

Danny Pino shines as Roman Compte, the hotel's general manager, delivering a compelling performance as a man caught between family loyalty and the demands of the DEA. His portrayal of Roman is layered, showing both the character's cool competence and the cracks that form as he navigates the treacherous waters of the Miami drug trade. The Mutiny Hotel, with its kaleidoscope of colours and constant buzz of activity, becomes a character in its own right, serving as the perfect backdrop for the chaotic events that unfold.

One of the standout aspects of Hotel Cocaine is its ability to maintain a high level of excitement and tension throughout. The show's directors infuse the series with a sense of exuberance and excess that mirrors the wild atmosphere of Miami during this era. The creative team's choice to embrace a more colourful and lively aesthetic, as opposed to the often dark and gritty tones of similar shows, breathes new life into the crime drama genre.

Despite its intense subject matter, Hotel Cocaine manages to balance its drama with moments of levity and humor, especially through its portrayal of real-life celebrities who frequented the hotel. These moments provide a refreshing contrast to the otherwise high-stakes narrative, making the series as entertaining as it is thrilling.

For fans of shows like Narcos, Queen of the South, and Snowfall, Hotel Cocaine offers a fresh, vibrant take on the crime drama, with enough twists and turns to keep viewers hooked from start to finish. It's a series that not only captures the spirit of its time but also delivers a captivating story full of intrigue, danger, and unexpected moments of fun.

If you're a film junkie like myself then you'll appreciate the time and effort that Chris Brancato and everyone else put in to make this happen.

I enjoyed it. Not my place to say where it could have been improved. It is what it is.

Thank you.

The review is made after the pilot E01... Some people are stuck in the past, in their favorite movie, and want there to be only one masterpiece that should stand alone and be hailed forever... I say NO! To that... I want fresh stuff and good entertainment, and Hotel Cocaine is exactly that. It's fresh, fun, entertaining and intense, a well balanced series, full of interesting and well played characters that build a solid backbone for this great show, yeah.. I love this, and it got me hooked right from the start. Well made, waiting for more... Give it a try, and see if you get hooked wink wink. Well, I think you will get hooked... :)

Hotel Cocaine has everything you want in a good crime thriller about drug cartels. It has plenty of action, drama, twists, etc. This more than held my attention as I binged watched all 8 episodes over a weekend with my brother. Like others have already said, this isn't as good as Narcos, Queen of the South or some of the other great cartel shows out there but it's still pretty good. My only complaints are the production and editing could be a little better and Michael Chiklis is just flat out awful here. I'm a fan of Chiklis ever since he starred in The Shield but I don't know who this was because it was some of the worst acting I've seen this year. I thought this was going to be a one season show and that's it, but with that cliffhanger at the end it looks like we'll be getting another season which I'm looking forward to.