Criminal Code – The Brazilian Crime Thriller

Criminal Code is a crime-drama series released on Netflix. It first appeared in 2023 and now has 2 seasons. It is based on real-life events, and its story involves police, heists, DNA evidence, and international crime.

Plot

The story begins with a major heist at the headquarters of Prosegur, a private security company in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, in 2017. A large gang robs large sums of cash. The group includes many criminals across borders. The robbery is one of the first of its kind for Brazil and Paraguay.

Brazil’s federal police, including agents Suellen and Benício, begin to investigate. What makes the case harder is that the criminals are many, organized, and some of them unknown. The police use DNA evidence and forensic science to trace suspects. They also face pressure because some of the criminals have political ties and deep connections in organized crime.

Season 2 continues after the events of the first season. The “Ghost Gang,” led by a cunning criminal named Isaac, remains active. Suellen, Benício, and the police have to track them again, even as internal conflicts and family stakes influence their choices. There are more twists, betrayals, and surprises.

Characters

• Suellen, played by Maeve Jinkings, is one of the lead officers. She is strong, smart, and committed to justice. She faces moral challenges as well as danger.

• Benício, played by Rômulo Braga, is Suellen’s partner. He has his own past, which sometimes affects how he works the case.

• Maeve Jinkings, Thomás Aquino, and Alex Nader also play important roles. There is a character called Soulless (also known as Sem Alma) who has dangers and secrets in his past.

Setting & Production

The series takes place mostly around the border of Brazil and Paraguay. Many scenes are set in Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. The investigation crosses borders, deals with trafficking of cash, hidden identities, secret networks.

Filming uses real street locations including cities like São Paulo. Some parts are shot in Paraguay. The environment of the cities, night chases, border crossings all help make the show feel realistic and tense.

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1 has about 8 episodes. They introduce the crime, establish who is investigating, and show how complex the robbery is.

Season 2 was released on June 4, 2025, and it picks up after Season 1. It has higher stakes. The criminals are more cunning. The investigation gets more dangerous.

Themes

• Crime vs Justice: The show focuses on how law enforcement uses science (DNA, forensics) to catch criminals. The criminals are many, clever, organized, and sometimes connected with political or financial power.

• Morality: Suellen and Benício are not perfect. The show questions what they must do to catch criminals—when rules should be bent, and the cost of those choices.

• Family & Loss: Some characters suffer loss or have personal things that interfere with their work. That adds emotional weight.

• Organized Crime: It shows how big robberies are not simple. They involve teams, planning, betrayals, and corruption.

What Makes Criminal Code Stand Out

1. It is based on a true heist and investigation. The real-life story in 2017 is used as a basis, which gives weight to the narrative.

2. The use of DNA and forensics is more than a gimmick—it is central to how the police pursue the criminals. That makes the crime story feel modern.

3. The characters are well drawn: criminals, police, family all have flaws and strengths. You don’t see purely “good” or purely “evil” people.

4. The setting across Brazil-Paraguay border gives international feel. It is not a closed small town crime story—it involves cross-border issues, corruption, power.

5. The show keeps tension high. Each episode has surprises and revelations.

What Critics and Viewers Say

Many reviews say the show is thrilling, dramatic, and well paced. Some like how it mixes field investigation, lab work, and emotional stories. The actors are praised.

Some criticisms are: sometimes the number of characters and subplots can be confusing. Also, since it is inspired by real crimes, some viewers wonder how much is true vs fictionalized. But most agree the show delivers strong crime drama.

Why You Might Like It

If you enjoy crime dramas like Narcos, Money Heist, Mindhunter, or shows with a mixture of investigation and action, you might like Criminal Code. It has action (chases, robberies), detective work, moral dilemmas, and complex villains.

If you like shows that make you think about justice, corruption, and human costs behind crimes, this one can pull you in.

Possible Weaknesses

• Some plot twists are many. If you don’t pay attention, you might be lost between criminals, side characters, and betrayals.

• Shows like this sometimes compress or change facts from real life to make it more dramatic. So if factual accuracy is very important to you, there might be small disappointments.

• Intensity can be heavy, there is violence, betrayal, emotional scenes—this is not light entertainment.

Best Episodes of Criminal Code

Season 1

1. Episode 1 – The Heist Begins
   The opening sets the tone. We see the Prosegur robbery in Ciudad del Este. The gang is well-organized, and the sheer scale of the crime shocks viewers. This episode makes you hooked immediately.

2. Episode 2 – The Investigation
   Suellen and Benício are introduced in depth. The use of DNA evidence starts here, giving the show its unique investigative edge.

3. Episode 4 – Sem Alma (Soulless)
   We meet the feared criminal Soulless, and the stakes rise. His background and cruelty add depth to the crime side of the story.

4. Episode 6 – Betrayals
   Some members of the gang begin to turn against each other. The show captures how greed and mistrust can destroy even well-planned operations.

5. Episode 8 – The Chase
   The season finale is intense. Police close in, criminals scatter, and the tension leaves you wanting more.

Season 2

1. Episode 1 – Ghosts of the Past
   The “Ghost Gang” led by Isaac makes a return. Suellen and Benício struggle to rebuild their investigation as the criminals adapt their methods.

2. Episode 3 – The Family Stakes
   We see more of the personal struggles of Suellen and Benício. The balance between family life and dangerous work becomes central.

3. Episode 5 – Crossfire
   An action-packed episode where the federal police clash with Isaac’s gang in an ambush. Both sides suffer heavy losses.

4. Episode 7 – DNA Doesn’t Lie
   Key forensic evidence changes the game. This episode is one of the highlights because it shows science breaking open the case.

5. Episode 8 – Ghost Gang Exposed
   The season finale delivers a dramatic confrontation. Isaac’s true motives are revealed, and the cliffhanger sets up future seasons.

Why These Episodes Stand Out

• They mix heist action with deep storytelling.

• The use of DNA and forensics makes the show different from other crime dramas.

• They balance personal stakes (family, morality) with bigger stakes (cross-border crime).

• Each finale keeps you waiting for the next season.

Final Thoughts

Criminal Code is a strong crime-drama from Brazil/Paraguay/Nexflix that adds something fresh to the genre. It blends real crime with fiction, using forensic science, DNA evidence, moral conflict, and strong characters.

If you’re in the mood for a series with action, tension, real stakes, and not afraid to show the dark side of crime, give Criminal Code a try. It delivers both thrills and drama, and Season 2 shows the story growing bigger.