made with
sorry for the mistakes
Suburbia Killer
I am so terrified of Spanish TV series that at every scene of the eight
episodes of “Suburbia Killer” or “El Inocente”,
I thought: “Here comes that crazy thing that ruins
everything”. The shadow of Alex Pina haunts me. I have to admit
it.
However in this Netflix series directed by Catalan Oriol Paulo and shot
in Barcelona, where it is also partly set, there is no trace of those
things that regularly ruin every Spanish series. Could it be that Oriol
Paulo is Catalan? Or that it is taken from the book of the same title
by the American Harlan Coben whose works have already passed and will
pass on the well-known streaming platform? Therefore, it is not an idea
born in Spain.
It must be said that some who have read the book, write that Oriol
Paulo's TV series keeps the tension higher. In fact, it must be
recognized, despite not having read Coben's work, that "Suburbia
Killer" has the advantage of having a tense, well thought-out
narrative, which in fact keeps the viewer on his toes until the last
scene of the last episode. And the way of telling is the flagship of
the whole series which, in addition to the dramatic plot, finds an
original way of presenting the characters, introducing them at the
beginning of each episode with their past and their hopes. Hopes yes,
because “Suburbia Killer” revolves around new
opportunities, new lives, but over which a painful past looms.
Mateo “Matt” played by Mario Casas, a well-known Spanish
actor who as far as I am concerned I have appreciated several times in
the films of De La Iglesia is the protagonist of this intricate story,
a psychological thriller, a puzzle of situations. Released from prison
after four years for causing the death of a boy in a fight, he tries to
rebuild his life. And he succeeds. He graduates, becomes a lawyer,
works in his brother's office and meets Olivia who becomes his wife and
with whom is about to have a child.
Here, where we find them, something happens. Olivia leaves for work and
strange messages and photos arrive on Mateo's cell phone. It is the
beginning of a series of situations that uncover the past of all the
protagonists, including policemen, highlighting the secrets, errors and
grudges of a past that everyone thought was forgotten.
“Suburbia Killer” does not dislike showing, however without
exaggerating, “splatter” moments or pulp situations, with
some limits of credibility. A series that also takes us into the world
of prostitution and exploitation, curiously touching another Spanish
work of this year: "Sky Rojo". But Paulo talks about it in a rawer,
less pop and no frills way.
Of course, there is no lack of the romantic aspect that who knows it
has to be in every Spanish series. One thing that makes "Suburbia
Killer" slip a little, especially at the end, but, fortunately, it does
not spoil a series that was a pleasant surprise. With Mario Casas, we
find other rather well-known Spanish interpreters at home and with
experience abroad. Madrid-based Aura Garrido, co-star and award-winning
actress of film, TV and theatre, Alexandra Jiménez, from "Los
Serranos" and above all from the film adaptation of "Toc Toc", Martina
Gusmán known for the Argentine crime "Carancho" and Juana Acosta
.