If you’re not watching City of God: The Fight Rages On, you’re missing something exciting. The series on Max continues the story of the 2002 Brazilian classic City of God.
Set 20 years after the events of the original movie, it continues to show the complicated life in the City of God community in Rio de Janeiro.
Residents still find themselves caught between rival gangs and Rio’s violent police force. Before each episode, a notice states that the series is fictional, but it reflects the real issues of public safety in Rio.
Much of the Original City of God Movie Is Based on True Stories
Many stories in the original City of God movie are based on true events. The movie is inspired by Paulo Lins’ book, which is about his childhood in the City of God community. Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) represents Lins, a boy dreaming of getting an honest job outside the community.
In real life, Lins became a famous writer, but Rocket became a photographer in the movie. However, it is said Rocket’s character is actually based on a friend of Lins, who wanted to be a photographer.
The conflict between Lil’ Zé (Leandro Firmino) and Knockout Ned (Seu Jorge) is based on a real war between two crime bosses in the 1970s and 1980s. The movie’s end credits even show an interview with the real Knockout Ned after his release from prison.
He speaks about how Lil’ Zé kills everyone connected to him. It is believed their rivalry began after Lil’ Zé kidnapped and raped Ned’s girlfriend, Cinthia (Sabrina Rosa), although no historical proof supports this. Ned joined the army at 18, which helped him during the conflict.
In his interview, he mentioned the police targeted only his gang when they raided City of God, suggesting they had some kind of agreement with Lil’ Zé.
Another real character from City of God is Carrot (Matheus Nachtergaele), who was based on real drug trafficker Aílton, known as “Potato.” In the movie, Carrot is Lil’ Zé’s rival after Knockout Ned joins his gang for revenge. He was the only survivor of the real-life conflict and later wrote a memoir about his time as a drug lord.
He confirms many of the movie’s details, such as Zé always having Benny (Phellipe Haagensen) by his side and being violent. However, he denies that children were involved in the drug business like the movie’s Runts.
Some witnesses have also complained that the movie isn’t completely accurate. These criticisms are valid, but the film is meant to be a fictional piece, not an exact historical account.
The Fight Rages On Continues as a Fictional Story
The focus is on continuing the lives of characters from the movie, showing that there’s always more to tell about communities like City of God.
Director Fernando Meirelles is now the executive producer, while Braulio Mantovani returns as the writer. Aly Muritiba directs the series and is known for his work on New Bandits, another Brazilian series on Prime Video.
At the end of City of God, the Runts kill Lil’ Zé and plan to take over the drug trade. In the series, they fall under the influence of a new drug lord, Bullfinch (Marcos Palmeira). He informally adopts Bradock (Thiago Martins), the leader of the Runts, who now works for the crime machine in the community.
The story begins with Bradock’s release from jail, thanks to his mysterious girlfriend, Jerusa (Andreia Horta). However, he quickly finds out that he has lost his position as Bullfinch’s right-hand man.
Rocket is now a successful photographer for a major newspaper in Rio, but he struggles with his daughter, Leka (Luellem de Castro). She accuses him of building his career by exploiting the suffering of the community and black people.
On the other hand, Rocket’s best friend, Lil’ String (Edson Oliveira), along with Cinthia and Berenice (Roberta Rodrigues), have become respected leaders within the community, working to make it a better place. Yet, another conflict looms over the City of God.
Still from City of God The Fight Rages On (Credit: HBO)
This time, the Rio state government has realized the community is profitable, thanks to Reginaldo (Kiko Marques), who was known as “Melonhead” in the movie and is now the Secretary of Public Security.
Public Safety in Rio Has Become More Complicated Since the 1970s
Even though The Fight Rages On is fictional, it touches on real aspects of life in the City of God community. These large communities have Residents’ Associations that are respected and promote legal businesses. They help NGOs operate and are the starting point for anyone wanting to open a business.
The president of the association acts as a middleman between the drug lord and the residents, ensuring safety without confrontation. Many people, including myself, have seen how effective these associations are, as I spent years teaching English in Paraisópolis, another Brazilian community.
One of the scariest parts of the series is how it portrays militias. These are paramilitary groups that began rising in Rio in the mid-2000s. Initially, off-duty police officers and soldiers formed these groups to protect communities from drug trafficking.
Over time, though, militias grew stronger and became criminal organizations. They began controlling the drug trade and expanded into other crimes like arms and human trafficking.
In the early 2000s, militias were quite popular. Many people supported them, as violent TV programs praised the massacres carried out by the state military police’s “death squads.”
This public support is shown in The Fight Rages On, where the mayor even calls the militias the “lesser evil.”
However, by the 2010s, militias had grown too powerful. They were responsible for the deaths of left-wing politicians and community leaders and even won public offices.
By 2020, militias controlled 41 neighborhoods in Rio, home to over 2 million people. Today, they are as big a threat to Brazil’s public security as the drug factions.
City of God: The Fight Rages On is a gripping continuation of the 2002 Brazilian classic City of God. Set 20 years later, the series follows the ongoing conflicts within Rio de Janeiro’s City of God community. Rival gangs and corrupt police continue to clash, while new drug lords rise to power.
Still from City of God The Fight Rages On (Credit: HBO)
Characters like Rocket, now a successful photographer, struggle with personal and community issues. The series touches on real challenges in Rio, including the rise of dangerous militias.
Though fictional, it reflects the harsh realities of public safety and crime in Brazil, offering intense drama and powerful storytelling.
New episodes of City of God: The Fight Rages On air weekly on Sundays on Max.
Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, created by Michelle Ashford and Esta Spalding, ends its first season with an intense and dreamlike finale.
In this episode, the prophecy hinted at throughout the season finally comes to life. Throughout Season 1, Rowan Fielding (played by Alexandra Daddario) shows her relationship with Ciprien Grieve (Tongayi Chirisa) while becoming more linked to the demon Lasher (Jack Huston).
While Rowan and Ciprien seem to be falling for each other, it’s uncertain how much of their bond is influenced by Lasher’s manipulations.
By the season’s end, Rowan and Ciprien’s relationship remains unresolved. However, one thing is clear: Season 2 will feature a new version of Rowan, who is now embracing her powers and connection to Lasher after his rebirth into the world.
Season 1 of Mayfair Witches also centers on Rowan learning about her biological family. The finale reveals major secrets about Cortland Mayfair (played by Harry Hamlin) and Deirdre Mayfair (Annabeth Gish), which change Cortland’s relationship with Rowan and his daughter Jojo Mayfair (Jen Richards).
Who Is the Father of Rowan’s Baby in Mayfair Witches Season 1?
One of the most puzzling aspects of the Mayfair Witches Season 1 finale is the question of who fathered Rowan’s baby. Both Lasher and Rowan tell Ciprien that the baby is his.
However, some doubt remains about whether this is true or if it’s just a strategy to keep Ciprien from wanting to harm the baby.
The paternity isn’t entirely clear, especially since Rowan also had sex with Lasher, who sped up her pregnancy.
In an interview with Variety, co-creator Esta Spalding confirms that Ciprien is indeed the father, and the baby was conceived in Episode 5. However, Lasher orchestrated the entire event.
Spalding explains, “The way we have built the structure of the story, Lasher is orchestrating all of this, including trapping Rowan and Ciprien in that house together in Episode 5 so she can get pregnant.” Lasher, however, cannot directly conceive the baby who will serve as his vessel.
Cortland Mayfair Is Revealed To Be Rowan’s Father in Mayfair Witches Season 1
Another major plot twist in the Mayfair Witches Season 1 finale is the revelation that Cortland is Rowan’s father.
Early in the season, we see Cortland selecting a young man at a masquerade ball to seduce Deirdre and conceive her child. While this seemed unsettling at first, the finale reveals even darker truths.
Still from Mayfair Witches (Credit: AMC)
When Ciprien touches a mask from the ball, his powers show that Cortland wore the young man’s mask, allowing him to impregnate Deirdre himself, resulting in Rowan’s birth.
In the show’s lore, the incestuous Mayfair relationships help maintain their power, and Rowan is an especially powerful witch because of her pure Mayfair bloodline.
Cortland believes that because he helped fulfill the prophecy that brought Lasher back, he would be greatly rewarded. This is partially true. When Rowan tries to kill him, it’s revealed that Cortland’s deal with Lasher worked, making him immortal.
However, he didn’t expect how powerful Rowan would become in the process or how much Lasher would favor her. Since Rowan can’t kill Cortland, she turns him into stone instead.
In her final moment of the episode, Rowan tells Ciprien, “You can’t control me,” as lightning almost strikes him. Although Cortland set much of the prophecy in motion, Rowan has now gained Lasher’s power.
Rowan’s Important Visions in the Mayfair Witches Season 1 Finale
Throughout the Mayfair Witches Season 1 finale, Rowan is unconscious for much of the time, experiencing visions of her family’s past. Lasher tells her, “Follow the path of your ancestors to the end,” leading Rowan on a journey through time.
During this, the show offers views of many deceased Mayfairs, described in detail in Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour. The most prominent figure is Suzanne Mayfair (Hannah Alline), the first Mayfair witch and a midwife who helps Rowan through her labor.
Rowan also sees Antha Mayfair before getting to speak with her mother, Deirdre, who explains that Lasher will be reborn as Rowan’s child.
Other brief views include Deborah Mayfair, Suzanne’s daughter and the first Mayfair witch to summon Lasher, and Julien Mayfair, one of the few male witches in the Mayfair line.
Julien, who is also Cortland’s father, will have a larger role in Season 2, with Ted Levine now cast to portray him.
Unanswered Questions for Mayfair Witches Season 2
The Mayfair Witches Season 1 finale leaves fans with many questions. The most pressing is whether Rowan and Ciprien’s relationship can be saved.
Additionally, what are Ciprien’s true intentions regarding the baby? He seems determined to separate Rowan from the child, but will he develop feelings for his own child?
It’s also unclear how much of Rowan’s behavior in the finale is due to Lasher’s influence. Will Season 2 show a Rowan who fully embraces power, or will she try to distance herself from Lasher?
Viewers will have to wait until 2025 to find out when Mayfair Witches returns for Season 2.
Mayfair Witches Season 1 concludes with an intense finale where Rowan Fielding embraces her powers after discovering shocking truths about her family.
The season centers on Rowan’s growing connection to the demon Lasher and her complicated relationship with Ciprien Grieve.
Still from Mayfair Witches (Credit: AMC)
A major revelation uncovers that Cortland Mayfair is Rowan’s father, deepening the show’s twisted family dynamics.
As Lasher is reborn through Rowan’s child, questions about the baby’s future and Rowan’s next moves are left for Season 2.
The finale also features visions of the Mayfair family’s past, setting the stage for more supernatural drama in the next season.
Mayfair Witches Season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S.
