Josh Hutcherson's Hidden Gem: A Dark Tale of Love and Danger

Josh Hutcherson, renowned for his roles in "The Hunger Games" and "Bridge to Terabithia," embarked on a distinct challenge in 2014. He starred in and produced "Escobar: Paradise Lost," a crime thriller where he portrays Nick Brady, a young man who becomes entangled with the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Plot Overview

The narrative begins with Nick traveling to Colombia to surf with his brother Dylan. There, he meets Maria, Escobar's niece, and they quickly fall in love. However, their relationship becomes complicated when Escobar, played by Benicio del Toro, discovers their connection. Escobar, displeased with the idea of his niece leaving, sets a trap for Nick and his friends.

Nick is tasked with hiding Escobar's prized possessions, but when he refuses to kill his target, he becomes a target himself. The film takes a dark turn as Escobar seeks revenge, putting Nick's family in danger. "Escobar: Paradise Lost" is a gripping tale that showcases Hutcherson's range as an actor.

Hutcherson's Motivation and Preparation

Hutcherson sought out this project during a break from "The Hunger Games" franchise. He wanted to challenge himself with an independent film that had a low budget and was shot quickly.

"There's something about not having a lot of money, not having a lot of time. And you don't have to report to a company. Studios are run by a corporation. For an indie, you're making it with people who want to make this movie for art."

Interestingly, Hutcherson's training for "The Hunger Games" films, where he had to kill fellow teenagers to survive, came in handy during the filming of "Escobar: Paradise Lost." However, his director had to remind him to look clueless with a gun, as he was too comfortable with it.

Career After "The Hunger Games"

After the "The Hunger Games" series ended in 2015, Hutcherson's career saw a slight dip. He worked on a film with James Franco that was never released and played a supporting role in "The Disaster Artist." However, he recently made a comeback with the horror hit "Five Nights at Freddy's" and is currently starring in the HBO comedy "I Love L. A." He is also set to reprise his role as Peeta Mellark in the upcoming "The Hunger Games" prequel.

Where to Watch

If you're a fan of Josh Hutcherson and want to see him in a different light, "Escobar: Paradise Lost" is available for free on Tubi. It's a film that showcases his acting skills and his willingness to take on challenging roles.