Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Netflix has spent this year releasing incredible international series; from Suburra and Dark to Ingobernable and Hotel Beau Sejour, they’ve proven time and time again that they have an eye for foreign-language titles. The latest on their slate is La Casa de Papel, a Spanish crime thriller that might just be one of their best yet. The series wastes no time in diving right into the thick of things, and if you’re a fan of a group of eccentric misfits coming together to commit a crime à la Mr. Robot or Reservoir Dogs, you’re gonna love La Casa de Papel.
La Casa de Papel is the kind of show best entered spoiler-free, so we won’t give too much away here – but it’s more than worth your while. The premise won’t feel all that foreign to you; a mysterious figure known only as “The Professor” rounds up a group of uniquely talented individuals with nothing to lose to commit the biggest heist ever. We’re guided through this experience by Tokio (Úrsula Corberó), a young woman with a knack for violence who finds herself sucked into this grand scheme when she has nowhere else to turn. Over the course of the first season’s 13 episodes, we get to know each of the eight members of the team very intimately; from what got them there to what their aspirations might be after the robbery is completed.
What’s marvelous about this series is just how fresh it feels; sure, we might be familiar with the heist formula, but La Casa de Papel manages to make it seem new and different at every turn. The script feels original and tight, offering character development and plot twists in areas one might never have anticipated. The performances also help drive the series home; each of the actors is well-suited to their parts, never coming off as a caricature (despite how easy it would be, given the subject matter).
From the very first shot of Tokio jumping up in bed, it’s hard not to be hooked. The stakes are high, the relationships are tense, and within a matter of minutes, you actually care about these characters. It might be easy to write off La Casa de Papel based on its tired-sounding premise alone, but a viewing of the first episode will almost certainly change your mind. Come for the heist story, stay for the top-notch thriller. It’s the kind of show that gets your heart racing and keeps you on the edge of your seat – all while making you question your alliances and expectations at every move.
