Untamed (Netflix) 

By: Rachel Brodeur

It takes less than five minutes for Netflix’s crime thriller limited series Untamed to completely hook its audience. Set in the majestic forests of California’s Yosemite National Park, the first few shots of the series highlight the beauty and vastness of the area with extreme longshots of the landscapes, the waters, and the mountains. It takes a moment to zoom in on the humans that are so small against the enormity of the scenery. The peace of the moment is interrupted by the startling discovery of a body.

The body is surrounded by mystery. She’s a young woman, and beyond that, there’s uncertainty. The narrative of this mini-series unfolds cleverly about who the victim was, how she ended up unalive in the woods, and most importantly, who is responsible. Leading the investigation is Kyle Turner,  a special agent for the National Park Service's Investigative Services Branch (ISB), portrayed by Eric Bana (Munich, Troy). He navigates the woods expertly, as someone who seems to prefer the company of trees to people. He’s partnered with a former Los Angeles police officer and rookie park ranger, Naya Vasquez, played by Lily Santiago (La Brea, Lackawanna Blues). While somewhat naive about the workings of a National Park this size, she proves to be a competent asset to the team, and one that the audience can relate to as an outsider to Yosemite.

Untamed is a well-paced series, reminiscent of first season True Detective (HBO), where the main story gets pushed forward, between moments of high tension. There are only six episodes, which means there is little time for wasted minutes. This person’s death is more than just one woman’s story, but is wrapped in the complexity of a world where people go missing. The series highlights the flaws in our justice system and its ability to do right by our most vulnerable. Within the depths of the woods, there are people on the fringes of society. The show successfully captures what feels like an authentic voice in revealing the complexity of those networks. What Untamed does so well is convey the duality of nature that embodies both serenity and danger. People escape to the woods to be alone, but the solitude proves to be a serene gift and an isolating curse.

Rachel’s Rating: 9/10

Untamed is a tightly constructed crime thriller set against the vast and beautiful backdrop of Yosemite National Park. Centered on the death of a young woman, this limited series features atmospheric storytelling, as it delves into the darker corners of justice, violence, and the human impulse to disappear into nature.