Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time. There’s no debate about it. However, as I approached El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which premiered on Netflix, I endeavored to temper my expectations. Let’s face it—the most beloved characters met their demise during the series: DEA agent Hank Schrader, the fatherly hitman Mike Ehrmantraut, the genius yet unstable Gus Fring, and even the show’s protagonist, Walter White.
And yes, it’s true—Walter is gone. I apologize if this is news to you, but we were all optimistic that he might somehow escape his fate. Alas, Vince Gilligan dashed those hopes in a pre-release interview confirming Walter’s death.
So, one must wonder: can we truly invest in a film that centers predominantly around Jesse Pinkman and his meth-dealing friends, Skinny Pete and Badger? Having watched it, I can confidently say that the film delivers a much-needed sense of closure for Jesse, a crucial aspect that fans yearned for after his dramatic escape from the neo-Nazi compound in the series finale.
The film picks up immediately where the show left off, providing a gratifying continuation. Although many beloved characters have passed, they still make appearances through flashbacks. While El Camino may not match the rapid narrative pace of Breaking Bad, it compensates with the dark absurdity of unexpected events—a hallmark of Gilligan’s storytelling prowess.
Characters who seemed secondary in the original series suddenly take on new significance, and true to form, not everyone is as they initially appear. Aaron Paul effortlessly steps back into the role of Jesse Pinkman, as if he never left. While we don’t spend as much time with all the iconic Breaking Bad characters, we get just enough to feel fulfilled.
If you’re skeptical of my opinion, I understand. High expectations often lead to polarized reviews, but overall, the reception has been positive. A reviewer from Rolling Stone, Max Harper, noted that Gilligan is “operating at the peak of his creative abilities” with this film. Conversely, Lucy Grant at Slate pointed out that although El Camino ties up loose ends, it lacks the depth of the original series, raising the question: Who exactly are we rooting for?
In summary, while El Camino may not be a groundbreaking masterpiece like Breaking Bad, how could it be? Such brilliance is rare. Nevertheless, it is deeply satisfying. If you cherished Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul, you’re likely to appreciate El Camino as well.
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