Netflix’s How to Become a Mob Boss not only chronicles the criminal exploits of some of the most notorious figures of the underworld but also reveals the strategic, violent, and often shocking tactics that propelled them to the top of the criminal hierarchy.
The docuseries has taken the streaming world by storm, currently holding the fourth spot on the global Netflix top ten series chart.
As viewers binge-watch this gripping series, they are confronted with the dark reality of organised crime and the individuals who made it to the pinnacle through a combination of cunning, brutality, and audacity.
Netflix’s latest docu-series sensation, How to Become a Mob Boss, also has a touch of humour because the talented Peter Dinklage narrates it. This six-part series delves into the rise and fall of some of history’s most infamous mob bosses, including Al Capone, Frank Lucas, Salvatore ‘Toto’ Rinna, John Gotti, James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, and the notorious Pablo Escobar.
Here are five shocking reveals that the series unveils about these crime lords.
Five things we learned from How to Become a Mob Boss:
Al Capone’s path to notoriety
The series exposes Al Capone’s early initiation into the world of organised crime. Despite his intelligence and academic potential, Capone chose the streets over school, learning the ropes from Chicago’s mob bosses.
The docu-series details how Capone’s mentors, John Torrio and Frankie Yale, played pivotal roles in shaping his ruthless tactics and business acumen. Capone’s journey from a bootlegger to a mob boss is vividly portrayed, along with his relentless willingness to use violence to eliminate competition.
How heroin helped Frank Lucas to top position
Frank Lucas’ entry into the crime world after the passing of ‘Bumpy’ Johnson unfolds as a saga of strategic brilliance. The series outlines Lucas’s rise to power in the heroin trade, emphasising his use of violence to silence rivals. Lucas’s ability to sell the purest form of the drug, coupled with bribery and money laundering, allowed him to dominate the industry for seven long years before his eventual downfall!
How Salvatore ‘Toto’ Rinna delivered a reign of terror
Salvatore ‘Toto’ Rinna’s 20-year reign of terror as a Sicilian mafia boss is highlighted as one of unparalleled violence. Rinna’s goal was not just wealth but absolute power, leading to the merciless elimination of rivals, including members of the press. The docu-series also delves into Rinna’s involvement in human trafficking and drug smuggling, showcasing a level of brutality that sets him apart from his peers.
John Gotti’s unusual ascent to Mafia power
John Gotti’s unconventional ascent to power within the Gambino family defied the established rules of the criminal underworld. The series explores how Gotti, recently the subject of the captivating docuseries Get Gotti, rather than following the mafia playbook, shot his way to the top, ignoring hierarchical norms and attracting public attention. Gotti’s seven-year reign as the head of the Gambino family eventually led to his imprisonment, underscoring the consequences of deviating from age-old mafia practices.
How Pablo Escobar turned cigarette smuggling into a cocaine kingpin
How to Become a Mob Boss presents a riveting portrayal of the rise of the most infamous drug lord in history, Pablo Escobar. Starting as a humble cigarette smuggler, Escobar’s ambition led him to transcend the boundaries of legality. The series sheds light on Escobar’s strategic move to eliminate his competition, notably Fabio Restrepo, to become the undisputed cocaine kingpin in Colombia.
Escobar’s transition from a small-scale smuggler to the mastermind behind a multi-billion dollar drug empire is a testament to his shrewd business acumen. The series intricately details how Escobar’s calculated manoeuvres and ruthless tactics allowed him to amass an unprecedented fortune, exceeding $30 billion.
