To kick off 2021, the ever-busy streaming service has dropped an international title that caught the imagination of crime drama enthusiasts in late 2019. Monarca returns for season two, like its predecessor, Monarca has the same substance and approach; combining a family business empire, a world of corruption and crime, and an urgency to clean the establishment. The story relies on power-hungry characters to drive the story. It follows with the same premise after the opening installment showed Ana María take the reins, at the request of her father, who was soon murdered, season two continues to deal with the repercussions of a cover-up and the intricacies of renewing an empire. There is a true power struggle, crime versus goodwill, with a little mix of politics that heralds this pulsating story. Monarca holds a torch to good performances like the previous season, but the real highlight is its knack for a throbbing soundtrack. It’s ever-present, with the score ripping through some scenes and catching the viewers by surprise. It thrives off power imbalances, and the need to have a purpose, which is something that is an unspoken conversation in a relatively privileged world. Monarca represents a crime cold war, with none of the characters nailing where they stand; they all position themselves on the sidelines and wait for the next move.