Netflix is bringing a new Mexican crime action movie to its global audience with Facing El Chapo, also known as La captura. The film is set to premiere on the streaming platform on August 21, 2026.
It stars Alfonso Herrera and Noé Hernández as two police officers whose routine traffic stop takes a seriously dangerous turn. What starts as an ordinary investigation soon puts them face-to-face with Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one of the most notorious figures in the history of organized crime.
Inspired by true events, the film promises a genuinely tense story built around danger, crime, and high-stakes encounters.
What is Facing El Chapo about?
The story follows police officers Carmona and Rosales, who pull over a stolen car during what looks like an ordinary traffic stop.
Things escalate fast once the officers unexpectedly run into El Chapo. Instead of dealing with a routine criminal situation, they suddenly find themselves standing in front of one of the world’s most powerful cartel leaders.
That encounter changes everything for both officers. The film digs into how a completely routine police operation can spiral into a life-threatening situation the moment ordinary officers cross paths with a major figure from the criminal underworld.
Facing El Chapo is inspired by true events
This upcoming Netflix movie is inspired by true events and draws on a chronicle written by Mexican journalist and author Héctor de Mauleón.
While the film takes a dramatic approach to telling its story, its ties to real events add an extra layer of tension throughout. The narrative is built around an actual dangerous encounter involving police officers and El Chapo, rather than just presenting a fictional cartel thriller from scratch.
That real-world connection is likely to be one of the biggest draws for viewers who gravitate toward Mexican crime stories.
Who stars in Facing El Chapo?
Alfonso Herrera and Noé Hernández headline the movie.
Herrera plays Carmona, one of the two officers at the centre of the story. Netflix viewers might recognise him from Ozark, where he played Javi Elizonndro, and he has also appeared in Sense8 and the Rebel Moon films.
Hernández plays Rosales. He has worked on several crime and drama projects over the years, including Narcos: Mexico, Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, Counterattack, Prison Cell 211, and Pedro Páramo.
The supporting cast includes Hector Kotsifakis, Juan Pablo Cruz García, Paola Fernandez, Antonio Fortier, Allan Durell, Fernando Cuautle, and Gerardo Trejoluna.
Also rounding out the cast are Isaac Bravo, Alejandra Vázquez De León, Regis Arroyo, Santiago Colores, Daniela Torres, Berenice Mastretta, Marcos Duarte, and Ingrid Úsuga.
Who directed Facing El Chapo?
Chava Cartas directs Facing El Chapo, known for films including Our Times.
The screenplay comes from Bernardo Esquinca, whose past work includes Pray for Blood, with the story based on Héctor de Mauleón’s chronicle.
Francisco González Compeán and Sebastián Jurado produced the film for Draco Films.
Is there a trailer for Facing El Chapo?
Yes, Netflix has already released an official trailer for the movie.
It introduces Carmona and Rosales and gives viewers a look at the dangerous situation they stumble into during that traffic stop. The trailer also sets up the central conflict, showing exactly how fast their routine assignment turns into something much bigger.
Based on the trailer, the film looks set to lean heavily into suspense, focusing on the pressure the two officers face as they confront such a powerful criminal figure.
Facing El Chapo Netflix Movie Release Date and Details
Here are the key details worth knowing about the upcoming Netflix movie:
- Movie: Facing El Chapo
- Original title: La captura
- Release date: August 21, 2026
- Platform: Netflix
- Country: Mexico
- Genre: Crime / Action / Thriller
- Director: Chava Cartas
- Writer: Bernardo Esquinca
- Lead cast: Alfonso Herrera and Noé Hernández
- Based on: A chronicle by Héctor de Mauleón
- Production company: Draco Films
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When and where to watch Facing El Chapo?
Facing El Chapo premieres globally on Netflix on August 21, 2026. The film joins Netflix’s growing lineup of international crime thrillers and Mexican original productions.
With a story inspired by real events, a genuinely dangerous encounter involving El Chapo, and lead performances from Alfonso Herrera and Noé Hernández, the movie looks well positioned to appeal to viewers who enjoy crime dramas grounded in real-world events.
For fans of Mexican crime thrillers and Netflix titles like Ozark and Narcos: Mexico, Facing El Chapo is one of the August 2026 releases worth keeping an eye on.