Netflix will release La Captura, a new film about Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, on August 21, 2026. Unlike previous productions that focused on the drug lord himself, this one centers on the police officers who tracked him down after his second prison escape.
The film shifts focus to the officers who caught him
The movie recreates the events following Guzmán’s 2015 breakout from the Altiplano prison in Mexico State. It follows the real-life operation that led to his recapture, but tells the story through the perspective of the two officers who found him.
Alfonso Herrera plays Arturo Carmona, and Noé Hernández portrays Rosales—both men were part of the actual arrest team. The rest of the cast includes Héctor Kotsifakis as El Chapo, Juan Pablo Cruz García as Jorge Iván “El Cholo” Gastélum, and Paola Fernández as Isaura.
Before its streaming debut, La Captura will have a limited theatrical run in select Mexican cinemas. Screenings begin immediately and will continue until August 19, though not in major chains like Cinépolis or Cinemex. Instead, the film will play at smaller venues such as CineSpot, CineTop, and Cines Siglo XXI in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Mérida.
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The film explores the corruption and pressure surrounding the moment, forcing the characters to weigh their options against the consequences. Herrera, who plays Carmona, said in a recent interview that the story’s focus on the officers, rather than the criminal, drew him to the project. “Es fantástico explorar estos ángulos, por eso acepté entrar a este proyecto, gracias a esto también se generó mucha expectativa, puede tener mucho eco,” he said.
This approach sets La Captura apart from other portrayals of El Chapo’s life. Most previous films and series have centered on his rise, crimes, or escapes. By contrast, this production examines the often-overlooked figures who brought him to justice—even if the system around them was far from perfect.
Netflix will make the film available at 1:00 a.m. Central Time on August 21. Until then, audiences in Mexico can catch early screenings at participating theaters, though availability varies by location.
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