‘James.’(2026) Netflix Series Review - A Great Insight into James Rodríguez’s Life and Career

Revolving around Colombian football icon James Rodríguez, “James” attempts to give us a glimpse of one of the greatest football players of all time. Of late, I feel Netflix has been following a new strategy of going behind the scenes to show us what life is like for people who have been in the media. And “James” is just that. At the start, we are shown his rise to success in football, the hard work it took him to reach where he is. He started as a Colombian kid who made it to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and scored some unforgettable goals that made him a household name. We are also shown his Golden Boot-winning World Cup campaign, which established him as a global sensation. But wait, if you think this documentary is only going to discuss James Rodriguez’s successes, then you are mistaken. For a moment in his career, there was a phase when he faced turbulent times, especially post his move to elite European football. The time he spent in clubs such as Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich was defined by the injuries, managerial changes, and constant public scrutiny. This shows us the emotional weight of what happens when a star player is grappling with constant media attention, injuries, and pressure to maintain his performance. Through the three-part series, this part of his life has been given the spotlight for us to see and understand where he has taken him, even with all the fame and goals he has achieved.

What works best for “James” is how he himself appears and opens up to us, the audience, candidly. He is straightforward in telling how he felt when he recalls all the turbulent times of his life. He discusses the criticism, the hard work, the injuries, and everything in between. If you are a James Rodríguez fan, this documentary is your chance to go beyond his career and see what it takes to become one of the best in the field.

The documentary is well structured, as we are shown everything about him. I don’t really think the makers missed out on anything while showcasing the story of James Rodríguez. Additionally, the pacing is fine. Nowhere, at any point, do they rush into the storytelling. And in between all this, they manage to tell us the story of his life in great detail.

There are also some interviews from people such as Sergio Ramos, Radamel Falcao, Luis Díaz, and coach José Néstor Pékerman, which corroborate everything that is being said in the documentary. With the help of archived footage, images, and such interviews, “James” becomes a watch that leaves you more impressed with your star player. There are typical slow-motion scenes of his goals, background music that changes meticulously as the mood of the plot shifts, as well as some off-field moments that manage to provide heavy insight into James Rodríguez’s life at large. Again, this documentary will be interesting only if you are a big fan of his game. Even if you aren’t, you might end up becoming one once you watch it.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times