“DMZ”: a political allegory that is held on the shoulders of its protagonist, Rosario Dawson

There are series that hold up with unknown actors, there are others that bet on a cast of big names, and there are some that rely on the person who plays the central role to carry out the plot. Rosario Dawson, whose well-known face has had a new and well-deserved growth in the last five years, is one of those actresses whose presence justifies this four-episode mini-series that can be seen on HBO Max .

The story of DMZ takes place in the near future. A new war of secession has broken out in the United States and the island of Manhattan has become a demilitarized zone (hence the title). Alma Ortega (Dawson) is a doctor from New York who at the beginning of the conflict has separated from her son. Years later, after an intense search, she manages to return to Manhattan to find him. With the Second Civil War gone and two gangs fighting for power on the island, Alma discovers that perhaps her mission transcends her personal history.

The beginning of the miniseries is powerful and its emotional impact is that clear. And from that very beginning, the script and direction have been supported by Dawson, not only an excellent actress but obviously the right one for this role. Alma's desperation, tenacity and strength suit him impeccably. The evolution of her character over the course of the four episodes would not have worked as effectively with another actress.

Sometimes the choice of a protagonist is the difference between absolute credibility or insurmountable error. DMZ — based on the DC Comics graphic novel, written by Brian Wood and illustrated by Riccardo Burchielli — finds its best bet there.

Dawson was born in New York in 1979 and began his film career in 2005 with the controversial film Kids. He worked with Spike Lee and Oliver Stone, went through the most varied genres and participated in several major blockbusters. It took more than a decade to give television a chance, but when it broadened its spectrum on the small screen its success doubled.

In recent years, she has seen even greater growth playing Claire Temple in Luke Cage and the other Marvel series connected to her. He added another big blow by playing a key role in the award-winning miniseries Dopesick. And as if that weren't enough, Star Wars fans rightfully freaked out by his portrayal of Ashoka Tano in The Mandalorian and Boba Fett's Book. And Ashoka Tano will be called the series that she will now star in for the franchise.

DMZ has aspirations for political allegory, something that today in series is often associated with recent years of US history. But the comic book on which it is based predates the outbreak of political and social conflicts today. His speech, completely in contemporary fashion, attempts to express a political idea beyond the juncture.

Its ideological message is less interesting than personal drama and violence, but it ends up placing itself at the center of the plot, which is quite voluntary and tailored to the current progressive agenda. Each compulsory ingredient is represented; its political proposal proves simplistic and somewhat innocent. But that's the way fashions are: less part of the conviction than the business.

Because of these limitations, the series finds in its protagonist its best ally. The most notable scenes focus on Dawson's ability for drama and action, a mixture that few people have and that the rising actress performs without problems.

DMZ has only four episodes, and Dawson is almost always on screen. Anyone who follows in his footsteps must enter this miniseries.

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