Must-Watch Films Similar to Ready for War

Description: A multi-narrative film that examines the drug trade from various perspectives, including law enforcement, politicians, and users, showcasing the complexity of the issue.

Fact: The film uses different color filters for each storyline to visually distinguish the separate yet interconnected narratives. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Director.

Description: A biographical crime film that chronicles the rise and fall of George Jung, a key figure in the American cocaine trade during the 1970s and 1980s.

Fact: The film's soundtrack features classic rock songs from the era, enhancing the period setting and the protagonist's tumultuous life.

Description: This documentary series investigates the kidnapping, torture, and murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, revealing deep corruption and the extent of cartel power.

Fact: The series includes interviews with former cartel members who provide firsthand accounts of the events, offering unprecedented insight into the case.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows a federal agent who goes undercover to infiltrate the money-laundering operations of Pablo Escobar's cartel.

Fact: The real-life agent, Robert Mazur, served as a consultant on the film to ensure accuracy in depicting the dangerous undercover operation.

Description: This documentary delves into the influence of drug cartels on Mexican and American culture, particularly through music, showcasing the glorification and brutal reality of narco life.

Fact: The film features interviews with both narcocorrido musicians and law enforcement officials, providing a stark contrast between celebration and condemnation of cartel violence.

Description: A tense thriller that explores the moral ambiguities of the war on drugs, focusing on a task force's brutal tactics to take down a Mexican cartel.

Fact: The film's title, 'Sicario,' means 'hitman' in Spanish, reflecting the film's themes of violence and retribution. It was shot in stark, atmospheric visuals to heighten the sense of dread.

Description: A darkly comedic take on the true story of Barry Seal, a pilot who became a drug smuggler for the Medellín Cartel and later a CIA informant.

Fact: The film was shot in multiple locations, including Colombia, to authentically recreate the settings of Seal's exploits. It blends action, humor, and drama to tell its wild true story.

Description: A crime drama that follows a high school student who gets entangled in the drug trade, blending gritty realism with a coming-of-age narrative.

Fact: The film was praised for its authentic portrayal of life in a rough neighborhood and its clever use of dark humor to address serious themes.

Description: This documentary explores the brutal realities of drug cartels and vigilante groups in Mexico, focusing on the violent struggle for control and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality.

Fact: The film was shot in a cinéma vérité style, capturing real-life events as they unfolded, including intense shootouts and raids. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Description: A gripping series that follows the global cocaine trade, highlighting the interconnectedness of cartels, law enforcement, and the financial systems that enable the drug trade.

Fact: The series is based on a book by Roberto Saviano, who also wrote 'Gomorrah,' and was filmed in multiple countries to authentically depict the international scope of the drug trade.