The new Spanish thriller Holy Family (Sagrada Familia) is centred around a newly-arrived family in Madrid with a complex hidden past. The series is divided into eight episodes with an average length of thirty-five minutes each and is written and directed by Mexican filmmaker Manolo Caro.
The cast of the series includes Najwa Nimri as Gloria, Laura Laprida as Natalia, Gemma Sole as Educadora, Jose Emilio Vera as Padre Parking, Patricia Garo as Ginecologa Marta Cobos, Pol Hermoso as Felipe, Alba Flores, Carla Campra and Ella Kweku. Furthermore, the series is distributed by Netflix.
-Holy Family Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
Gloria (played by Najwa Nimri) is a middle-aged woman residing in a new neighbourhood of Madrid with her young infant and a teenage daughter. She is adjusting to the new lifestyle among her socialite girlfriends but also has a reluctance to form new friendships. In fact, the reason behind Gloria’s inhibiting nature is her dreadful past, which possesses a constant threat of catching up with her family.
It turns out that the mother beholds the secret to a massive coverup involving another 19-year-old son, which needs to be kept under the drapes until she finds a way out.
This Spanish drama is perfectly structured and well-layered with the theme of motherhood and family. Each and every character resonated with the central idea, while Najwa Nimri’s character holds the main fort. Therefore, it’s easy to say that the show peaks in characterisation.
The episodic twist and turn in Holy Family are a treat to watch and also add to the enigmatic past of the titular characters. Moreover, the unravelling events are almost like a slow-burning stew that makes sense only after it is well cooked.
The leading performance of Najwa Nimri is exceptional and hard-hitting. In her role as a stubborn mother with a cause, she perfectly encapsulates the delicacies of the character and peels the definition of motherhood word by word. In fact, the ironic blindness in Gloria’s motive is established through a heart-wrenching portrayal.
Also Read: Mob Psycho 100 Season 3 Episode 3 Preview: When, Where and How to Watch!
Also Read: The Curse of Bridge Hollow Review: Lame Halloween Comedy
Apart from this, Holy Family has several mini-plots that often interact with each other. Including a mother of a special child, a teacher looking for adoption, and a wannabe Bonny and Clyde mercenary couple that can’t help but develop a reverse Stockholm Syndrome for their targets.
Manolo Caro’s effort in synchronising the subplots around the common theme is commendable. His vision helps to unite the story under the same banner and produces a thrilling result that will keep you hooked till the very end.
Although there were some slightly distracting moments in the show that could have been an area of concern. But its sharp pace and short running time prevented their further growth and saved the day. Ultimately, you are left with a character study of morals, limits, love and irony.
Holy Family Final Thoughts
If you love characterisation drama and a mix of thrillers, then this Spanish series is definitely worth your time. The show sticks to its core theme passionately and backs all the strong elements. Almost all the cliffhangers hit the right marks and will leave you binging for more.
All the episodes of the thriller Drama Holy Family (Sagrada Familia) are available to stream on Netflix. Tell us how you resonated with the show in the comment section below.
Also Read: Mismatched Season 2 Review: Cute, Dramatic and a Toxic Endgame
Agreed, so good