Dear Killer Nannies Review: A Surprisingly Gut-Punching Pablo Escobar Drama
You might think another television series about the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar is unnecessary, given his life has been extensively covered in popular culture. Escobar's Medellín cartel was at its most ruthless during the 1980s and 1990s, yet this century alone, his story has inspired numerous books, Hollywood films, the Netflix hit Narcos, and even influenced Kanye West's 2016 album Life of Pablo. However, the new Spanish language series Dear Killer Nannies manages to find a fresh and unexpected angle into the life of this archetypal villain, focusing little on the bloodshed that typically defines his portrayal.
A Coming-of-Age Story Amid Chaos
In terms of genre, Dear Killer Nannies – co-created by Escobar's son Juan Pablo Escobar – leans more towards a coming-of-age narrative than an action-packed crime saga. Instead of retracing the usual beats of Escobar's rise, fall, and eventual death in a shootout with Colombian special forces, the series introduces us to seven-year-old Juan Pablo, affectionately known as "Juampi". Juampi is portrayed as sweet, sensitive, and soft around the edges, much like any young boy before exposure to harsh realities.
We first meet Juampi as his head bobs above the surface of a lake, beaming in the sun, when a speedboat suddenly zooms into frame, heading straight for him and causing panic. The boat swerves at the last minute, narrowly avoiding him. This moment introduces Juampi's "nannies" – associates of his father who double as childcare while Pablo Escobar attends to cartel business abroad. The setup immediately raises questions about what could go wrong in such an unconventional arrangement.
Emotional Impact Over Shock Value
The challenges Juampi faces are, in some ways, predictable: he is exposed to murder, violence, sex, and rampant drug use, which isolates him from peers his own age. While these plot points could easily serve as shallow shock value – such as watching a child protagonist gain entry to a nightclub and be offered a dance by a topless woman – Dear Killer Nannies delves deeper. It focuses on the emotional impact these experiences have on Juampi and how they shape his personality, drawing parallels to the psychological depth seen in series like The Sopranos.
For instance, the climax of the first episode features Juampi accidentally witnessing a violent act against a cartel enemy, an event that would scar even a hardened veteran, let alone a seven-year-old. The series doesn't just highlight the trauma; it explores how such instances haunt Juampi through flashbacks, nightmares, and bedwetting. As the show progresses, another tragedy unfolds through his eyes: the realisation that his father is not the hero he imagined but rather responsible for thousands of murders. Narration by Juan Pablo Escobar himself adds a layer of reflection and intimacy, evoking the feel of a therapy session.
Universal Themes of Trauma and Adultification
Some themes in Dear Killer Nannies feel relatable to anyone with family histories marked by violence and trauma. Early on, Juampi is told that life is precarious, with one nanny explaining, "Future is a word that doesn't mean a thing for people like us … people like us can only move forward day to day to day." He is also instructed not to trust anyone outside the family and tasked with being the "man of the house" during his parents' absences – a heavy burden for a seven-year-old. While Juampi's experience is extreme, his story carries a universality about being forced to grow up too fast.
Technical and Emotional Mastery
Dear Killer Nannies excels both technically and emotionally. The seamless jumps between Juampi's childhood, adolescence, and occasional adulthood build the foundations for a grander narrative. Moments of surprise and misdirection are sparing but powerful, and the performances, particularly by child actor Miguel Tamayo, are as smart as the script. This makes it easy to lose yourself in binge-watching the show's bite-size half-hour episodes.
So, while it may be true that we didn't need another show about the violence that characterised Escobar's life, Dear Killer Nannies is actually a series about Juampi, a child caught in the crossfire. More than that, it's a surprisingly emotionally-literate story about adultification, loss of innocence, masculinity, and trauma – experiences many can see or relate to in their own lives. Of course, expect the obligatory car crashes and shootouts, but the biggest gut-punches in Dear Killer Nannies are quieter and bloodless.
Dear Killer Nannies is available for streaming on Disney+ now.
