Untamed Netflix crime series review, debuting July 17, 2025, immerses viewers in a wilderness thriller set against the breathtaking backdrop of Yosemite National Park. Created by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, the six-part drama follows Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), a U.S. National Park Service agent called in to investigate a brutal killing inside the remote terrain of Yosemite. As Turner navigates dense forests and buried secrets, the case takes on a personal edge, intertwining with his troubled past.
Produced by an experienced team—including John Wells, Todd Black, Tony Shaw, and Steve Lee Jones—Untamed was shot in Vancouver, with outdoor scenes filmed at locations resembling Yosemite’s grandeur. The ensemble cast includes Sam Neill, Lily Santiago, Wilson Bethel, and Rosemarie DeWitt, adding star power to a show grounded in nature and noir.
Untamed Netflix Crime Series Review: Characters in Conflict
The series begins with a woman’s body discovered near a campsite, prompting Turner’s deployment to the park. He teams up with Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), a sharp, methodical rookie ranger whose modern techniques contrast with Turner’s seasoned, instinct-driven style. Their partnership becomes the emotional core of the series, offering moments of tension and reluctant trust as the investigation unfolds.
Sam Neill portrays veteran ranger Paul Souter, a stoic Yosemite lifer who serves as both a mentor and a mystery himself. Shane Maguire (Wilson Bethel), an ex-Army Ranger turned wildlife manager, adds another layer of intensity—living in self-imposed isolation, he embodies the series’ theme of survival and solitude. Rosemarie DeWitt plays Jill Bodwin, Turner’s estranged wife, whose presence complicates an already layered investigation.
Though Untamed Netflix crime series review sets itself apart with its remote, lawless setting and morally ambiguous characters, the storytelling occasionally leans on familiar tropes. Flashbacks, fractured relationships, and the lone-wolf investigator motif are frequent narrative devices that some critics say feel overused.
Critical Response: Stunning Scenery, Uneven Script
Early reviews offer a mixed outlook. The Financial Times notes that despite Eric Bana’s solid presence, the show suffers from “a one-note performance and overly familiar writing,” calling it a case of beautiful scenery overshadowing flat storytelling (FT). Variety echoes similar concerns, highlighting the show’s slow pace and lack of urgency despite its high-stakes premise.
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter praises the cast’s dedication and the atmospheric cinematography but criticizes the script for failing to build sustained suspense. According to critics, while the setting is immersive and the performances respectable, Untamed Netflix crime series review rarely ventures outside well-trodden territory. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show has yet to receive an official critic score, though early user ratings hover around 3.5/5.
Untamed is visually stunning and bolstered by a strong cast, but it struggles to bring fresh energy to the wilderness crime genre. Its character-driven moments and striking visuals may resonate with audiences craving a slow-burn mystery. Still, critics remain divided on whether the series ultimately rises above its familiar formula.
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Sources: https://www.ft.com/content/1499e1db-866e-417a-8717-c252ef5e63fc
