The Last Hours of Mario Biondo Review: Directed by Maria Pulido, this investigative documentary Limited Series, also known as Las últimas horas de Mario Biondo, has 3 episodes, each with a runtime of around 45 minutes. It focuses on the mysterious death of Mario Biondo, husband of Spanish presenter Raquel Sánchez Silva.
The Last Hours of Mario Biondo Plot
In 2013, Mario Biondo’s sudden death left everyone shocked, more so because his family pointed out how his alleged suicide wasn’t that – it has homicide. The documentary discusses all the possibilities and presents important facts about the case in an effort to understand what happened to the camera operator that fated night.
The Last Hours of Mario Biondo Review
One thing that The Last Hours of Mario Biondo does really well is that it brings forth a very emotionally-charged narrative of a tragedy that truly shattered a family. The emotions that are presented on-screen are raw and heart-wrenching, and you’d also feel some sort of way about the thought of losing someone you love over the course of a night and the shock and disbelief, even after so many years, is quite evident in Mario’s family’s faces.
That being said, the series gives two different perspectives on Biondo’s untimely death – on one side, we see his family viciously defend their claims that their son was murdered while, on the other hand, members of the judiciary claim that it was a case of autoerotic asphyxiation gone horribly wrong. However, what starts as a tragedy and a need to know the truth soon turns into pushing people under the bus and doing things that will leave you in disbelief.
Personally, what left me shocked was the family’s forceful push for their own truth instead of listening to the proof that everyone else is putting up in front of them. The series intercuts the family’s claims with that of expert opinions to give us two perspectives on a case that was, at some point, quite cut and dry. After 10 years, however, the attention it has generated is wholly confusing and, frankly, a little crazy.
The main takeaway for me from the series is that grief is a very dangerous instigator and can make or break a person and everyone around them. Mario’s death triggered something in his family that makes them say stuff that frankly sounds a bit difficult to digest. And if, at the end of the documentary, you were expecting to find some proof of what could’ve happened, I can tell you right that that is not there. Because if 3 autopsies on a person came back with a suicide verdict, I doubt a Netflix series is going to do much.
That’s the thing about the entire thing – there are no answers because the answer was delivered in 2013 when the original investigation took place. And after 3 episodes, you’d be on the brink of believing the private investigator’s claims in the show – that the insurance money payout is not possible with a suicide verdict. However, assumptions and scandalous gossip aside, the series is a he-said, she-said type of ordeal that will really make you empathetic for 4 people who are suffering to this day and for the woman who probably had no fault in this mess other than being married to Mario.
Also Read: Mark Cavendish: Never Enough Review: A Well-Executed Documentary Propelled by Personal Insights
Now, listen. I don’t believe that the Italian and the Spanish governments are trying to keep Raquel Sánchez Silva’s murdering her husband a secret – it’s just a thought that I can never comprehend, although his sister, Emanuela Biondo, mentions towards the end that “there’s a pact between nations”. But even if this was a murder (which the courts have denied thrice) and Raquel was a part of it somehow… there is just no proof of it. However, there is proof of the horrible and deplorable harassment and slut-shaming that she had to go through just for daring not to fall apart in front of the camera and continuing to work and move on eventually.
The putrid smell of misogyny does rise up sometimes in the way she was treated and continues to be treated, without literally any proof. I was waiting for a big reveal and new information that proves that there was something shocking that no one got to know previously, but it never came to that. However, the expert opinions were thoroughly interesting, and the way various scams were also thoroughly discussed might just make viewers feel a little relieved about the, frankly, infuriating chain of events.
As usual, The Last Hours of Mario Biondo brings us crime scene footage, footage of Mario and Raquel’s dreamy wedding and expert opinions surrounding the case. Although I did not enjoy the reenactments, because, frankly, they seemed a bit too much, the experts discussing the various parts of the case, the judge’s decisions, the autopsy reports and the crime scene photos were quite intriguing. The series is also edited in a way to make it more sensational and for you to be confused as to whom to trust.
All being said, the documentary doesn’t add anything to the narrative, much less give conclusive answers. I mean, sure, I don’t believe that Italy and Spain are in some sort of pact together, but there’s no conclusion; nothing comes out of this other than people blaming each other. So, after watching 3 episodes, you are definitely entertained but never given any closure as a viewer. It’s very bizarre.
The Last Hours of Mario Biondo Review: Final Thoughts
Grief can be such a debilitating thing – it is so difficult to get over and can distort your thoughts if you are unable to accept the truth, especially when it is surrounding a tragedy so horrible. The series leaves you with more questions than answers but is dramatic and sensational enough to be entertaining. It’s infuriating as well, but at least there are voices of reason here that apply logic to preserve your sanity.
In the end, this is a series about a family hurting from a tragedy. But does it give anyone the right to destroy another person’s life? So many questions, such few answers.
The Last Hours of Mario Biondo is streaming on Netflix.
Also Read: Soulcatcher Review: Action-Thriller is Neither One of Those Things
What makes me sad is they are honoring his memory by hurting the woman he loved the most. I also think the life insurance policy definitely lends to the suicide conclusion. He knew he was going to die so he took out a policy to make sure his S.O. or whoever could at least get some money.
She’s a murderer.
Idiotic comment!