A top-rated Brazilian crime series about Rio's drug trade.
In this taxonomy, the label of impuros became a tool of colonial governance. Paintings known as cuadros de castas meticulously documented the perceived dilution of blood. Spaniards were at the top, considered pure. As the mixture increased—Mestizos, Mulattos, Zambos—the social standing decreased.
To understand the power of the word impuros , one must travel back to the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. It was here that the concept of Limpieza de Sangre (Cleanliness of Blood) was born. Following the Reconquista and the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain and Portugal, the dominant society faced a crisis of categorization. Many "New Christians" (conversos) had converted to Catholicism to avoid persecution, but the Old Christians distrusted the sincerity of these conversions.
Impuros isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a solid, binge-worthy crime drama with a unique Brazilian perspective. Stick with it past the first two episodes – that’s when the world-building pays off, and the tension really locks in. A strong 3.5 stars, rounded up for ambition and atmosphere.
Raphael Logam, who plays Evandro, has received multiple International Emmy nominations for Best Actor, cementing the show's status as a global powerhouse in the "narco-drama" genre. Documentary: Los Impuros (2017)
Evandro is a monster, but he is a logical monster. The show forces you to ask: "What would I do if the system jailed me for stealing bread?" excels at showing systemic corruption. The police are not just antagonists; they are often more corrupt than the criminals. The priests are flawed. The politicians are bought. In this world, the "impure" are simply those who lost the game of power.
Since faith could be feigned, the inquisitors turned to something they believed could not: blood. Thus, the dichotomy of puros (pure) and impuros (impure) was institutionalized. Being labeled impuro was not merely a religious slight; it was a bureaucratic stain. It barred individuals from universities, military orders, and public office. It was the precursor to modern racism, shifting the focus from belief to biology. The impuros were marked not by their actions, but by their lineage, creating a class of citizens permanently relegated to the shadows.
For international audiences, accessibility has been the key to the show’s rise. Originally produced by Star+ for the Latin American market, the distribution rights have expanded. As of 2024 and 2025, is available to stream on Disney+ (via the Star hub) in most territories, and specific seasons have appeared on Netflix in select regions.
The novel challenges the reader to question the binary of good and evil. In the suffocating heat of the urban jungle, purity is a luxury no one can afford. Funcia’s Impuros suggests that the true stain is not on the skin, but on the soul of a society that turns a blind eye to its own degradation.
