Murder in Galicia Review: This three-part limited series is based on a true-crime story that will leave viewers disturbed. The documentary on the case, based on the 2015 Isabel Fuentes case, was released last week, and this week the streaming giant has delved further into the situation through a fictional lens. The story, however, approaches the topic a bit differently, deciding to focus on the institutional failures and why it took so long for the perpetrator to be identified instead of trying to find out who did it. Considering viewers will already have an idea about the latter, this approach works well for the show and gives us a different perspective.
Set in Pazos, a quiet Galician village, the series follows the brutal attack on a woman in her own home, apparently carried out by masked intruders who wanted to rob the house. However, Civil Guard sergeant Elías smells something fishy from the outset and suspects her husband, Aniceto. Unfortunately, realising who the killer is and fighting against rigid institutional rules and convincing the authorities is a different ballgame altogether.
The series (El crimen de Pazos), starring Tristán Ulloa, Carlos Blanco, Fer Fraga, Miguel Borines, Luisa Merelas, Tatán, Isabel Garrido, Verónica Sánchez, Eduardo Soto, and Nacho Fresneda, builds tension throughout the series as the investigation turns frustrating instead of relying on dramatic and shocking revelations. The series is directed by Carlos Sedes.
Murder in Galicia Review
A Disturbing Crime Story That Goes Beyond the Mystery
What works in this series’ favour is that it doesn’t want to be a whodunit and, rather, takes a crime thriller and looks at it from a different perspective. While most viewers who are familiar with the case would know how the story unfolds and who the perpetrator is, the series, instead, looks at the situation from a more sympathetic angle as we are introduced to Elías’s suspicions from quite early in the runtime. The focus, thus, is shifted to understanding the obstacles that prevent him from doing his job and investigating what needs to be investigated.
As Irene fights for her life in the hospital, it’s terrifying and heartbreaking watching Elías desperately try to make the authorities understand the seriousness of the situation. But, as with how the justice system works, procedural delays, unanswered concerns and a lack of urgency turn an already terrible situation worse. The series builds tension through the frustrating circumstances and the relatability factor in the situation, as we understand how helpless such a situation can feel.
The uncomfortable sense of realism is what drives the series and, instead of adding unnecessary twists and turns, the series forces us to look at the other side of crime, where victims have to endlessly wait for the cogs of the justice system to start turning.
Tristán Ulloa Leads With a Compelling Performance
As Elías, Tristán Ulloa is the heart of the series as we see him desperately try to find a way to get everyone around him to take his suspicions seriously. His portrayal captures the frustration of a police officer trying to get the investigation back on track even though he knows where it’s going. He struggles to make those around him understand the urgency of the situation, which makes viewers desperately cling to his character as well. In a way, viewers will be able to see themselves in Elías, as the need for justice is obvious from the get-go.
On the flip side is Miguel Borines, who plays Aniceto. He’s unsettling and adds an underlying tension to the narrative. The more the series questions his relationship with Irene, the more disturbing it gets, and Borines plays with this feeling well. The small-town atmosphere and the supporting cast help to amplify this feeling as well.
The Real Horror Lies in the System’s Failure
Apart from catching a vicious and cold-blooded killer, what makes Murder in Galicia all the more unsettling and sets it apart from others is its larger commentary on social and institutional failures. The series, highlighting the tragic events of the real-life case, showcases how victims can remain vulnerable even when they need the justice system’s help the most, pointing to how massively such institutions fail sometimes.
The series doesn’t focus on one person, but rather puts everyone under the spotlight. As it explores the different stages of an investigation, we see every particular decision that influences how authorities respond to it. This makes the story emotionally challenging as well, as viewers don’t focus on how to catch the perpetrator, but rather how preventable failures can compound an already tragic situation.
A Restrained Approach That Builds Tension
Director Carlos Sedes adopts a restrained storytelling style, letting the tragic situation speak for itself. There’s no dramatic storytelling or overexaggerated moments to make an already tragic situation more lucrative. The tension, thus, develops through conversations, investigative details and the growing frustration. Viewers know that something is amiss but can’t do anything to stop it. Thus, it’s respectful in a way, because it doesn’t sensationalise an already heartbreaking and preventable situation.
Of course, that also means that viewers who enjoy fast-paced and twisted thrillers might find themselves a bit disappointed. The series takes a slower approach to a crime thriller, and thus, it won’t impact every viewer equally.
Final Verdict: Is Murder in Galicia Worth Watching?
In the end, what makes Murder in Galicia stand out is its realistic approach to telling a tragic true crime story. The idea of the justice system not helping the victim on time is heartbreaking in itself, and the series focuses on that aspect instead of taking a whodunit angle. While it won’t interest everyone, this one’s a heartbreaking watch because of how preventable the situation was.
Watch Murder in Galicia series on Netflix. What are your thoughts on the series? Let us know in the comments below!
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