Regardless of the context, detective work demands painstaking attention to detail. But investigations may take on a life of their own when a crime is committed in the middle of a million acres of wilderness. Netflix’s latest mystery-thriller, “Untamed,” written by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, is a gripping journey that explores secrets, long-standing traumas, and one determined investigator’s quest to expose everything. The limited series centers on Kyle Turner (played by an outstanding Eric Bana), a special agent for the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB), and is set in the scenic Yosemite National Park.
Turner starts a brutal investigation to find out what happened when a body is found in the park. “Untamed” is a disturbing and gut-wrenching examination of the human condition that highlights how animalistic we can become when forced into difficult situations.
Netflix’s ‘Untamed’ Review: Eric Bana is Magnetic in This Edge-of-Your-Seat Thriller
“Untamed” begins in Yosemite’s expansive wildness and verdant surroundings. The enormous granite rock known as El Capitan is climbed by two young guys. Even if the top of the surface is reachable, danger arises when a lady tumbles over the side of the bulk and almost knocks the guys down with her.
Later on, the guys are being questioned by park rangers, such as LAPD transfer Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago) and Chief Park Ranger Paul Souter (Sam Neill), about what they witnessed when the woman’s body fell on them. Unfortunately, Kyle Turner’s entrance stops them from asking any questions. He is stoic, almost impolite, and clearly despises the rangers before taking over the inquiry entirely.
Vasquez, a novice, is paired with the special agent who would much prefer be doing a one-man investigation because none of the other rangers are willing to collaborate with Turner. Nevertheless, even Vasquez acknowledges that Turner uncovers tidbits of information that others missed, despite his unsettling tone and manner. Turner is certain that Jane Doe #1711 was dead prior to her going down the edge of El Capitan by the time she is taken to the morgue. He also speculates that her killer had been pursuing her for a while.
Navigating a crime scene the size of Rhode Island is one thing, but simultaneously, Turner is also trying to reconcile his personal traumas. Although he mostly stays to himself, he and Chief Souter have a friendly rapport. He also has a close bond with his ex-wife, Jill (Rosemarie DeWitt), a former schoolteacher, who has remarried since their divorce. As he and Vasquez try to uncover Jane Doe’s identity and her connection to Yosemite, slivers of Turner’s past begin to emerge, forcing the audience and his colleagues to question whether he’s up for such a massive undertaking.
Amid a plethora of investigative dramas littered across television, creating a truly unique show is a challenge. However, the Smiths are obviously up to the task. Using the beauty and splendor of the park as its backdrop, the six-episode series infuses numerous elements into the narrative, ranging from previous investigations to Indigenous practices and complex human relationships, making “Untamed” a wholly distinctive show.
The characters themselves make for an exceptionally engaging series. Embodying someone who could have simply been a curmudgeon, Bana portrays a man tortured by his past and the incident that shattered his marriage, pushing him to find justice for Jane Doe. Likewise, Vasquez, a single mother to her 4-year-old son, appears eager to learn while adjusting to this new and textured landscape. Yet, she is also keeping her private affairs closely guarded. Still, the truth has a way of revealing itself, especially in the wild.
Deeply layered and gripping, “Untamed” is a brilliant detective tale anchored by some of our worst human impulses. It is a story of pain, shame and the hope of redemption, even when there appears to be no way out. A series about justice, control and who gets to be remembered, it’s also a reminder that in the end, our true nature will always be revealed.
“Untamed” is now streaming on Netflix.
Tags
untamed netflix, untamed, untamed 2025
