Watch Somos.

Somos is a new show from Netflix that follows the lives of various individuals living in Mexico in the 1990s. It is a limited series made up of six episodes, each telling a different story of a person or group of people who live in Loma Bonita, a small farming community in the state of Oaxaca.

The show is a profound and deeply moving exploration of the ways in which poverty, violence, and corruption can impact the lives of ordinary people. Set against the backdrop of the Mexican government's brutal crackdown on drug cartels in the 1990s, Somos depicts the lives of those who are caught up in the conflict, from farmers and ranchers to schoolteachers and street vendors.

One of the most striking elements of the show is its approach to storytelling. Rather than following a single protagonist or group of characters, each episode focuses on a different person or group, allowing the audience to gain a broader perspective on life in Loma Bonita and the struggles faced by its residents.

The first episode of the show, for example, tells the story of a young girl named Mireya who is walking to school when she is caught in the crossfire of a gun battle between the army and a local cartel. The scene is chaotic and harrowing, with bullets flying and screams echoing through the streets. But rather than glamorizing the violence or presenting it as exciting, the episode shows how it leaves Mireya traumatized and struggling to make sense of what has happened. Her parents, too, are deeply affected, wondering how they can keep their daughter safe in a world that seems so unstable and dangerous.

Later episodes focus on a corrupt police officer, a young couple whose relationship is threatened by poverty and drug addiction, and a group of women who band together to demand justice for their loved ones who have been killed or disappeared as a result of the drug war. As the series progresses, we get a sense of the interconnectedness of these lives, and how the actions of one person can have far-reaching consequences for others.

Throughout the show, the performances are exceptional, with each actor bringing a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of their character. We see the fear, anger, and despair that these people feel, but also the moments of tenderness, humor, and solidarity that keep them going. The cinematography, too, is stunning, capturing the rugged beauty of the Oaxacan landscape and the details of everyday life in Loma Bonita.

But what really sets Somos apart is its commitment to truth and accuracy. Although it is a work of fiction, the show is based on real events and real people, and the writers and producers spent months researching and talking to residents of Loma Bonita to ensure that their stories were told with care and respect. The result is a show that feels both authentic and urgent, a reminder of the human cost of the drug war and the enduring resilience of those who are caught in its crossfire.

For anyone interested in Mexican history, politics, and culture, Somos is a must-watch. It is a powerful and emotional journey that will leave viewers thinking deeply about the lives of those who are too often overlooked and ignored. But even for those who are not well-versed in these subjects, the show offers a rich and rewarding experience, one that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Overall, Somos is a profound and impactful work of storytelling that deserves to be seen by audiences around the world.

Somos. is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between June 30, 2021 and on Netflix