Cartel Land (2015)

Kernel Score: 78% · 365 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama, Documentary

Released: 2015-07-03

Runtime: 100 minutes

Where to watch Cartel Land

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

In the Mexican state of Michoacán, Dr. Jose Mireles, a small-town physician known as "El Doctor," shepherds a citizen uprising against the Knights Templar, the violent drug cartel that has wreaked havoc on the region for years. Meanwhile, in Arizona's Altar Valley—a narrow, 52-mile-long desert corridor known as Cocaine Alley—Tim "Nailer" Foley, an American veteran, heads a small paramilitary group called Arizona Border Recon, whose goal is to halt Mexico’s drug wars from seeping across our border.

Cartel Land parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Cartel Land is an R-rated documentary depicting real armed vigilante groups fighting drug cartels along the US-Mexico border.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Documents real drug-cartel violence, armed vigilante conflict, and references to murder in Mexico's cartel wars.
  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: Strong — Depicts cocaine and crack production and trafficking as central to the drug war shown.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

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Director

Matthew Heineman

Cast

  • Robert Hetrick as Himself
  • José Manuel Mireles Valverde as Himself
  • Tim Nailer Foley as Self (as Tim 'Nailer' Foley)
  • Paco Valenciano as Self - Autodefensas Comandante
  • Chaneque as Self - drug cartel thug
  • Caballo as Self - drug cartel thug
  • Enrique Peña Nieto as Self
  • Ana Valencia as Self - Manuel Mireles' wife
  • Estanislao Beltránin as Self - spokesman, Autodefensas
  • Janet Fields as Self - Tim Foley's girlfriend

Cartel Land FAQ

Is Cartel Land good?

Cartel Land has a 78% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 365 audience ratings.

Where can I watch Cartel Land?

In the US you can stream Cartel Land on Prime Video and Fubo, watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home, Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Cartel Land OK for kids?

Cartel Land is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Cartel Land is an R-rated documentary depicting real armed vigilante groups fighting drug cartels along the US-Mexico border.

What movies are like Cartel Land?

If you liked Cartel Land, try Don't Be Bad, Sin Nombre, Icarus and One Man Up.