Escobank Review: Jungle Treasure Hunt, Shaky Script

This Escobank review starts with a simple pitch: what if Pablo Escobar's buried cash were still out there, waiting for the right gang of misfits? Directed by Orit Liba, this 2025 action film sends a mismatched crew into the Colombian jungle with greed as their only map. It is a modest production with a big hook, and the results are mixed.

Escobank Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

Avi Haddad (Zohar Liba) is a Miami crime figure who gathers a crew of desperate criminals, veterans and ex-cons. Their target is the fortune Escobar is said to have buried in barrels before his fall. The trail leads them to Colombia, where the jungle is only one of the dangers.

Lawyer Sandy Ross (Dana Frider) joins the group after a murder leaves her little choice. She brings secrets that could complicate the whole expedition. That is the setup of the Escobank plot, and it moves quickly into the trek.

The film runs about 97 minutes, so it does not waste time on long preparation. If you like action movie reviews built on a clear goal, the structure will feel familiar.

What Works in Escobank

The premise is the main draw. Treasure hunts, criminals who can't trust each other and a legendary drug lord make an easy sell. You know the stakes from the first scene.

The jungle setting also gives the film some texture. Colombian locations and a supporting cast with Colombian credits add a sense of place that a studio backlot could not. For a reported budget of around $1.6 million, that matters.

The pacing is brisk. The film keeps its group dynamics front and centre, with suspicion and shifting loyalties giving the trek some tension. One IMDb viewer called the plot mostly coherent, which counts for something in this genre.

• A clear, easy-to-follow goal

• A short runtime that keeps things moving

• Real jungle atmosphere on a small budget

Escobank Cast and Performances

The Escobank cast is led by Zohar Liba as Avi Haddad, the schemer pulling the crew together. Dana Frider plays Sandy Ross, the lawyer whose hidden agenda drives much of the tension. Both carry the story's central conflict.

The supporting players include Angel Bonanni as Emilio, George Iskandar as Nasser, Rodrigo Poisón as Colonel Calderon and Harlys Becerra as Santiago. They fill out the world of fixers, soldiers and locals the crew meets along the way.

Performance is where audience opinion splits. Some Rotten Tomatoes viewers called the acting the weakest part, pointing to clunky dialogue. Critics have not weighed in yet, so treat that as audience feedback rather than consensus.

Where Escobank Stumbles

The script is the biggest problem. Audience reviewers single out the dialogue and screenplay, and a story built on a gang of distrustful misfits needs sharper lines than this one offers. When the writing goes flat, the actors have little to push against.

The budget also shows. A jungle adventure wants scale, danger and tactile set pieces, and a film this size can only suggest them. Action fans expecting big spectacle may feel shortchanged.

Ratings are lukewarm. IMDb shows 6.2/10 from about 1.7K ratings, while TMDB's audience score is also 6.2/10 from a small sample. There are no professional critic reviews yet, so the evidence is thin either way.

Is Escobank Worth Watching?

Escobank is worth watching if you want a low-stakes, low-budget treasure hunt and can forgive rough writing. It is not a standout, but it is a quick and easy watch with an appealing hook.

The film arrived on 14 November 2025, and the platform listing shows a 16+ content advisory. IMDb lists it as Not Rated. If you want something more polished, check our crime movie reviews or adventure movie reviews for stronger picks.

The IMDb page for Escobank has the full credits and audience ratings if you want to judge for yourself.

Who Will Enjoy Escobank

• Viewers who like treasure-hunt stories with shady crews

• Fans of Escobar-themed crime tales who don't mind a small-scale take

• Anyone after a short, undemanding action film for a casual night in