Creative direction: Laura Sarmiento
Location credits: Jorge Torregrossa, Laura Mana
Cast distribution: Ursula Corberó, Quim Gutiérrez, José Manuel Poga, Isak Ferriz
Origin country: Spain
Approximate duration: 50 minutes per episode, across 8 parts
Release year: 2023
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Premiere: September 8, 2023 on Netflix
★★★★
The series centers on a tense, real-world crime narrative in which a Barcelona police officer and their partners are drawn into a murder case tied to a former official couple. The show is presented as a thorough, multi-layered exploration by the Crímenes team, drawing on rich investigative detail to illuminate the events. It is a bold entry that invites comparison with notable earlier works and stands as a significant milestone in television storytelling, offering a fresh audiovisual approach to similar material.
While it shares thematic ground with acclaimed programs like Intimidad, which examined society through the prisms of suspense and the ethics of privacy, this new offering carves its own path. The storytelling leans into a heightened sense of drama, with a twisty narrative that blends intense suspense with elements of fantasy or horror, all anchored in a narrative inspired by true events. The show delves into themes of deception, manipulation, and the corrosive nature of toxic relationships, including the dynamics of lies, law enforcement, and domestic pressure.
The opening episode signals that the focal point will extend beyond the question of who committed the crime. The Mossos d’Esquadra framework and investigative process serve as scaffolding for the plot, but the heart of the series lies in its character portraits. Rosa Peral emerges as a morally ambiguous anti-hero, a layered figure whose identities as a officer, mother, and, at times, perpetrator intersect in ways that defy easy explanation. Her complexity is rendered through moments of froideur and intensity, and her position within a sexist, demanding workplace adds another layer of tension. Corberó meets this challenge with a performance marked by uncertainty and authority, pushing the character into unsettling territory.
Equally noteworthy is Quim Gutiérrez, who embodies Albert López with physical presence and a rugged, masculine energy. His dynamic partnership with Rosa creates a charged, intimate space where passion, provocation, and a willingness to question social norms collide. The action on screen is not just about the crime but about the people and the weathered, human frailties that drive their choices.
Both documentary-style true crime and fictionalized storytelling are often accused of mythologizing killers while overlooking the victims. This series raises those concerns from the outset, highlighting the consequences for Rosa’s family, represented by the young Sofia, and casting light on the broader human impact of these events. The juxtaposition with works like The Girl from Plainville positions the show within a contemporary canon of crime drama that blends realism with near-fantastical elements.
Director Jorge Torregrossa, supported by Laura Mañá, adopts a style marked by restrained unease that rarely settles into traditional television rhythms. When textual messages appear on screen, they are read aloud by the actor, a technique that underlines the immediacy and urgency of the narrative. The result is a series that refuses to settle into easy consumption, demanding sustained attention from viewers and offering a constant sense of anticipation rather than passive viewing.
The musical score, crafted by Aitor Etxebarria, adds another layer of tension. The score evokes the atmospherics of contemporary thrillers, with evocative violin textures and synth motifs that hint at cinematic influences. At times, the soundtrack shifts to familiar Spanish melodies from artists like Massiel and Rocío Jurado, which, while providing cultural texture, sometimes jostle against the overall mood and aesthetics of the show. This musical choice feels intentional, a reminder that sound design is an active participant in shaping perception rather than mere backdrop.
Overall, the series presents a provocative, character-driven take on a true-crime premise. It balances the immediacy of a police investigation with a deeper, more intimate look at the people involved and the societal pressures that shape their lives. The result is a narrative that is gripping, sometimes uncomfortable, and always attentive to the human stakes at the center of the case. This is not just a crime story; it is a meditation on power, gender dynamics, and the fragility of truth in a world where perception can be as dangerous as evidence. Attribution: analysis based on production notes and contemporary critics (Crímenes team, 2021; contemporary media reviews).