Untamed (2025), Netflix’s six-episode miniseries set in the majestic yet menacing Yosemite National Park, is not for the faint of heart. Created by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, this murder mystery starring Eric Bana as National Parks Service Special Agent Kyle Turner delivers a potent mix of atmospheric horror, psychological tension, and mind-bending plot twists that make it a perilous watch for a late-night binge alone. From its haunting opening scene to its shocking finale, Untamed weaves a narrative so unsettling that it’s likely to leave viewers sleepless, haunted by its eerie visuals and jaw-dropping revelations. This article explores the series’ terrifying scenes, gripping twists, and the reasons why it’s best not to watch it solo in the dark, while drawing on critical reviews and audience reactions to highlight its impact.

A Terrifying Premise in Yosemite’s Wilderness

Untamed begins with a gut-wrenching sequence that sets the tone for its blend of visceral horror and psychological dread. Two climbers scaling the 3,000-foot granite face of El Capitan are nearly pulled to their deaths when a young woman’s body, later identified as Lucy Cook (Ezra Franky), plummets from above, entangling in their ropes. The scene, described by Variety as “gutting and unnerving,” is both dizzying and disturbing, with the camera lingering on the lifeless body swinging in the wind, establishing Yosemite as a character in itself—a place of breathtaking beauty and lethal unpredictability. The discovery of a bullet in Lucy’s leg rules out suicide, launching Kyle Turner, a grieving and alcoholic agent, into a relentless investigation alongside rookie ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago).

The series’ setting amplifies its horror. Yosemite’s towering pines, sheer cliffs, and shadowy forests, captured vividly by cinematographers Michael McDonough and Brendan Uegema, create a constant sense of foreboding. Scenes of Turner navigating abandoned sheds, dark caves, and isolated trails are laden with suspense, as the wilderness seems to conceal threats at every turn. The Guardian notes that the landscape is “spiritual, haunting, and quietly aching with memory,” making it a perfect backdrop for a story that thrives on unease. The show’s sound design, despite some criticism for detached dialogue, enhances the tension with eerie ambient noises—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, and the creak of old structures—that make nighttime viewing particularly nerve-wracking.

Chilling Scenes That Haunt

Untamed is replete with moments designed to unsettle, many of which linger long after the credits roll. One standout sequence occurs in a cave system, reminiscent of Sicario’s tense tunnel scenes, where Turner and Vasquez are trapped with bats, their flashlight beams cutting through the suffocating darkness. DMtalkies praises this as a “surprisingly solid” action sequence, with the claustrophobic setting and fluttering wings creating a visceral sense of panic. Another chilling moment comes when Turner discovers a bloody rope and fresh carvings in an abandoned shed, hinting at recent violence. The camera’s slow pan across the etchings, coupled with the eerie silence, builds dread that something—or someone—is watching.

The series also leans into psychological horror. Turner’s recurring visions of his deceased son, Caleb (Ezra Wilson), blur the line between hallucination and apparition, adding a ghostly layer to the narrative. Time describes these interactions as having a “ghostly quality,” with Caleb’s appearances—often by a lake where his body was found—evoking a profound sense of loss and unease. A particularly harrowing scene involves Lucy’s autopsy, where the camera lingers on her body on the mortuary slab, a moment The Guardian critiques as “gratuitous” but undeniably disturbing for its stark realism. These scenes, combined with the show’s slow-burn pacing, create an atmosphere so tense that viewers may find themselves checking their own shadows, making solo nighttime viewing a risky proposition.

Mind-Bending Plot Twists That Shock

The finale of Untamed is where its reputation for “mind-bending” twists truly comes to life, delivering revelations that reframe the entire series. Below are the key twists that have left audiences reeling, each packed with emotional and narrative weight.

Twist 1: Jill’s Dark Secret

One of the most shocking reveals involves Jill Bodwin (Rosemarie DeWitt), Turner’s ex-wife. Throughout the series, their marriage is portrayed as a casualty of Turner’s alcoholism and grief over Caleb’s murder by Sean Sanderson. However, the finale discloses that Jill orchestrated Sanderson’s death. After Wildlife Management Officer Shane Maguire (Wilson Bethel) captured footage of Sanderson killing Caleb, Jill paid him to blackmail and murder Sanderson, a decision she kept from Turner. Time highlights DeWitt’s “matter-of-fact” delivery in this confession scene, which challenges viewers to consider whether they would make the same choice as a grieving parent. This twist, while powerful, is criticized by Roger Ebert for arriving too late to fully explore Jill’s moral complexity, leaving her arc underdeveloped.

Twist 2: Shane Maguire’s Misjudged Guilt

Shane emerges as a prime suspect in Lucy’s murder after Turner unlocks her phone—using formaldehyde to bypass facial recognition—and finds a video of Shane abusing her. This leads to a tense chase through the darkening park, where Shane hunts an injured Turner, only to be shot dead by Vasquez. The twist, however, is that Shane is not Lucy’s killer. While he was involved in a drug trafficking ring, his role in her death is incidental. Pajiba argues that this twist “makes absolutely no sense,” as Shane’s death is based on flimsy evidence, undermining the series’ theme of justice. Yet, the revelation that Shane killed Sanderson at Jill’s behest adds a layer of irony, as he inadvertently served Turner’s quest for vengeance.

Twist 3: Paul Souter’s Tragic Betrayal

The most devastating twist reveals Chief Park Ranger Paul Souter (Sam Neill), Turner’s mentor and father figure, as Lucy’s biological father. Lucy, born out of wedlock to Paul and Maggie Cook, was sent to a foster family to protect Paul’s reputation. When she returned as a runaway and began extorting him, Paul accidentally shot her in the leg during a confrontation, leading to her fatal plunge off El Capitan. Overwhelmed by guilt, Paul confesses to Turner and then commits suicide by shooting himself and falling into a river. Netflix quotes Bana describing this scene as a “gut punch,” with Neill’s performance amplifying the betrayal’s emotional weight. Critics, including The Review Geek, call this twist “infuriating” for its lack of accountability, as Paul’s suicide evades justice, but it undeniably shocks viewers with its tragic intensity.

These twists, delivered in rapid succession, create a whirlwind of emotions—shock, betrayal, and sorrow—that can leave viewers restless, replaying the revelations in their minds long into the night.

Performances and Emotional Depth

Eric Bana’s portrayal of Kyle Turner is a cornerstone of Untamed’s impact, bringing a weary gravitas to a man haunted by loss. The Killing Times praises his “rugged and haunted” performance, which grounds the series’ horror in human emotion. Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez adds heart, her journey from L.A. cop to park ranger providing relatable stakes as a single mother escaping an abusive past. Sam Neill’s Paul Souter exudes authority and warmth, making his betrayal all the more shattering, while Rosemarie DeWitt’s understated intensity as Jill elevates her pivotal twist. Variety notes the chemistry between Bana and Neill as particularly compelling, making the final revelation a “once-in-a-lifetime” acting moment.

Reception: A Polarizing Triumph

Untamed debuted at No. 1 on Netflix’s English TV List, garnering 24.6 million viewers from July 14-20, 2025, a testament to its gripping allure. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 80% approval rating, with critics praising its “visually sumptuous” Yosemite backdrop and Bana’s “steady star power.” However, the finale’s twists have polarized audiences. IndieWire gave a C-, criticizing the series for leaning on “exhausted” murder-mystery tropes, while The Killing Times lauded its “satisfying layers” and emotional depth. IMDb user reviews reflect this divide, with some calling it a “gripping slow burn” that kept them hooked, while others found the twists “implausible” and the pacing uneven. Fans on X have praised the “breathtaking nature” and tear-jerking moments, but some lament the “deus ex machina” resolutions, like Lucy’s overlooked phone.

Why You Shouldn’t Watch Alone at Night

Untamed’s combination of creepy visuals and psychological twists makes it a perilous solo watch after dark. The series’ eerie scenes—whether it’s the ghostly presence of Caleb, the claustrophobic cave sequence, or the chilling discovery of Lucy’s body—create a lingering sense of dread that can haunt viewers’ dreams. The finale’s rapid-fire twists, particularly Paul’s confession and suicide, are emotionally overwhelming, likely to keep audiences awake replaying the betrayals. The show’s exploration of grief, with Turner’s visions and Jill’s dark secret, adds a layer of existential unease that hits harder in the quiet of night. For those prone to overthinking or sensitive to horror, watching with a friend or in daylight is advisable to mitigate the sleepless nights that Untamed’s intensity might provoke.

Conclusion

Untamed is a masterclass in blending atmospheric horror with a complex murder mystery, delivering a series that is as visually stunning as it is emotionally and narratively provocative. Its chilling scenes, from the El Capitan plunge to the cave entrapment, create a pervasive sense of unease, while its finale’s twists—Jill’s vengeance, Shane’s misjudged guilt, and Paul’s tragic betrayal—redefine the characters and their world. Eric Bana and the ensemble cast elevate the material, making every revelation hit with visceral force. While the convoluted plotting and rushed resolutions draw criticism, the series’ ability to unsettle and surprise is undeniable. Untamed is a must-watch for thriller fans, but heed the warning: don’t watch it alone at night, or you might find yourself sleepless, haunted by its twists and terrors.