The Gritty Crime Drama Series That's Dominating Netflix
If you watched The Undoing or Behind Her Eyes and are craving another densely plotted mystery series that will have you furiously smashing the "Play Next Episode" prompt, then Netflix has you covered. Who Killed Sara? is a revenge thriller set in the upper echelons of Mexican high-society that premiered on the streamer on March 24. Viewers are clearly curious about the question posed in the title, as, at the time of writing, the show was on the list of the top 10 most viewed series on Netflix.
When Alex Guzmán (Manolo Cardona) was young, he witnessed the tragic death of his sister, Sara (Ximena Lamadrid), during a boating accident while the siblings were on a trip with the wealthy Lazcano family. Except, Sara's death was no accident, and Alex ends up shouldering the blame for her murder. He spends 18 years in prison, which gives him a lot of time to consider who actually killed his sister.
When Alex is released, he re-enters the world with a plan to unmask Sara's killer and expose the Lazcano family once and for all. His efforts are complicated by the conniving patriarch, casino magnate César (Ginés García Millán), who will stop at nothing to protect his family and his fortune. But Alex has learned a thing or two while behind bars. Now that he's out, he won't be easily deterred from his mission to bring the truth to light.
The series mixes some deliciously soapy family drama with the twists and turns of a good whodunit. And so far, critics seem to agree that despite any flaws, the series will keep viewers hooked.
According to critics, Who Killed Sara? is a well paced mystery with a strong cast
There aren't a ton of professional reviews for Who Killed Sara? just yet. However, the ones that are out there demonstrate exactly why the show has been such a hit with Netflix viewers so far.
Writing for Ready Steady Cut, Daniel Hart felt that one of the series' strongest elements was its protagonist. They wrote, "The main selling point of the Netflix series is Alex's determination; his singular approach to his mission...makes it a tantalising 'whodunit' for the audience." They also praised the pacing of the show, saying, "the mystery does not sag, it keeps pace, and the progress from the lead character feels like a smooth binge."
Grayson Gilcrease of PopSugar praised the cast of Who Killed Sara? while also adding, "the Netflix original series hits the sweet spot when it comes to connecting all the subplots in a meaningful way." Another high point for Gilcrease was the way the show plays with the tropes of the genre. They wrote, "While it has all the elements of a good murder mystery series...it manages to combine them in a way that's new and refreshing."
In a more critical review, Decider's Joel Keller found that some of the details of the story and characters don't quite add up. But, ultimately, they concluded, "Who Killed Sara? has a few logic problems, but its overall vibe is energetic enough, with good performances, to keep viewers' attention."
So, if you're looking for a compelling and juicy mystery that is going to keep you guessing from the first episode until the last, consider joining the legion of Netflix viewers who have been hitting play on Who Killed Sara?