Luis Curiel

Luis Curiel’s got one of those faces you swear you’ve seen a hundred times, and honestly, you probably have, especially if you’ve ever scrolled through Netflix or caught a late-night film. Born right in the chaos and color of Mexico City, the guy kicked off his career when most of us were still figuring out how to tie our shoes—age eight, no less. Since then, he’s bounced around film, theater, and TV like it’s no big deal. If you’re into political thrillers, you might’ve caught him in Amazon Prime’s “A Strange Enemy,” which, let’s be real, wasn’t your run-of-the-mill drama. Then there’s “Olimpia,” a film that actually got some serious attention at the Morelia International Film Festival. Curiel took on the lead as Rodolfo, and he didn’t just show up—he owned it. That role had him in the thick of student protests and the kind of tension that keeps you glued to the screen. Oh, and for all the true crime junkies out there, Curiel stepped into the shoes (or, let’s say, the shadow) of young Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán for Netflix’s series “El Chapo.” Not exactly a lightweight gig, playing the infamous drug lord during his rise. Most recently, he popped up as Luis in “Control Z,” which totally blew up internationally. There, he brought a raw, sometimes chaotic energy that made him hard to ignore, sliding easily between vulnerability and bravado. Basically, if there’s a spotlight, Curiel’s not just standing in it—he’s making sure you remember his name.