

Some of the best Breaking Bad episodes, as you’d remember, had one-line set-ups. Writer-director Vince Gilligan has written a script that feels lean, but never thin.

Aaron Paul returns as Jesse Pinkman in El Camino. But physical liberation means diddly squat to Jesse Pinkman he remains trapped in the confines of his own mind, traumatised by the torture he’d been subjected to by the white supremacists led by Uncle Jack.Ĭhased by the police and with nowhere to go, Jesse, who together with Walter White established the largest meth empire in the history of the United States, turns to his old friends Badger and Skinny Pete for help. It picks up mere moments after the final credits rolled in Felina, with a close-up of Jesse’s bearded face as he tearfully drives away from a massacre.
Netflix el camino cast series#
It does this by snatching away the satisfaction of the series finale, and by altering it forever by suggesting that the story was incomplete all along. It is unfortunate then that El Camino exerts so much effort in convincing us that it is providing some sort of closure. There is a dangerous ferocity in his eyes, which erupts only on a couple of occasions, but serves as a potent reminder of the psychological assault that his association with Walter White had on him. And Aaron Paul is quite stunning in the role, simmering with intensity, and damaged, perhaps beyond repair.

It is about the corrosion of one man’s psyche, and the eventual rebirth of his soul. Aaron Paul in a still from Netflix’s El Camino.Įl Camino is a grim movie, as emotionally barren as the Albuquerque landscapes that it so luxuriously smears on the screen when the mood strikes.

Considering that the film is geared towards hardcore fans of the show, it is unlikely that viewers will be dissatisfied with what they see. I cheered audibly when Jesse Pinkman delivered his catchphrase, deep into act three, and also when a couple of familiar faces popped up. Inadvertently, the agony of waiting for El Camino to be released, and then delicately avoiding spoilers online transported me back to the years leading up to 2013, to the stressful weeklong intervals between episodes of Breaking Bad. It’s exactly the kind of ending a good kid like Jesse Pinkman deserves.Netflix played this one very close to the chest though, going to Avengers: Endgame levels to keep the plot a secret in the trailers, and not providing any preview screeners to the press. Jesse driving away at the end - but instead of screaming about his freedom like at the end of Breaking Bad, he drives off in silence, finally finding some sort of peace.
Netflix el camino cast license#
Jesse’s new license plate aptly saying, “ The Last Frontier.” Netflix / El Caminoġ5. (And knowing that this is probably exactly what Jesse does as soon as he gets settled in Alaska). Hearing Walt mention how Jesse should go back to college and get a business degree because he would be able to use it anywhere. Jesse encouraging Mister White to stay hydrated and patting him on the back when he goes into a coughing fit, reminding us how much the two of them cared about each other, despite everything they’ve been through together. Knowing that the only person Jesse wants to say goodbye to as he leaves his entire life behind is Brock. Getting to see a quick snippet of Jesse and Jane together again. Watching Jesse walk by a crawl space, which is a nod to one of the greatest scenes in Breaking Bad history. Getting to see Jesse’s parents again - and watching Jesse get some kind of closure with his family. The absolutely gorgeous shot from above of multiple Jesses rummaging through Todd’s apartment. Hearing someone talk about pepperoni pizza in the most heartbreaking way possible. Jesse wearing Skinny Pete’s hat throughout the entire film, which was given to him because he’s - and I quote - his hero and shit. Jesse deciding to shave off his beard, even though it will make him more recognizable, because he wants to start fresh. Skinny Pete winning the best friend of the year award by helping out Jesse without hesitation, coming up with a plan that protects him from the police, and generally being an all-around great guy. Mike having a conversation with Jesse in the same location where Walt eventually shoots him to death. Don’t read this list until you do because it’s filled with a lot of SPOILERS about my personal favorite parts of El Camino:ġ. If you haven’t seen the new film yet, then you need to log onto Netflix right this second (or buy a ticket to a theater) and watch. It stayed true to the original series and took Jesse in a direction that made sense for his character. I had extremely high expectations going into El Camino - but it didn’t disappoint. The camerawork and the editing and the soundtrack and the lighting… all flawless. Breaking Bad was the greatest television show ever created.
