Move over, True Detective—there’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s riding into Netflix with a brooding intensity that’s setting screens ablaze. Untamed, the six-episode mystery thriller that dropped on July 17, 2025, has stormed to the top of Netflix’s global charts, earning an impressive 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89% on the Popcornmeter from audiences. Starring Eric Bana as a haunted National Park Service agent, this Yosemite-set drama delivers a slow-burn narrative packed with savage twists, stunning visuals, and a cast that’s pure dynamite. Fans on X are calling it one of Netflix’s best drops of the year, and with a jaw-dropping twist that flips the story on its head, Untamed is just getting started. Buckle up for a wild ride through the wilderness, where secrets are as deadly as the landscape itself. 😱🔥

A New Breed of Crime Drama

Untamed arrives at a time when crime dramas are a dime a dozen, but this series carves out its own territory with a unique setting and a character-driven story that hooks you from the first frame. Set against the breathtaking yet menacing backdrop of Yosemite National Park—filmed in British Columbia for that extra rugged charm—the show follows Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), a special agent with the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB). When a young woman’s body plummets from El Capitan, entangling climbers in a gruesome spectacle, what seems like a tragic accident quickly spirals into a brutal murder investigation. Turner, paired with rookie ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), uncovers a web of secrets that ties the park’s underbelly to his own tormented past.

The series, created by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant, American Primeval) and Elle Smith (The Marsh King’s Daughter), blends the sprawling, untamed aesthetic of Yellowstone with the dark, introspective tone of early True Detective. But Untamed isn’t just riding the coattails of its predecessors—it’s forging a new path with a wilderness setting that feels alive and dangerous, a cast that crackles with chemistry, and a twist that leaves viewers gasping. As one X user raved, “Think Sheridan’s Yellowstone meets The Revenant but make it a murder mystery! Go watch this thing on @netflix immediately.”

Kyle Turner: The Brooding Heart of Untamed

At the center of Untamed is Eric Bana’s Kyle Turner, a grizzled ISB agent who’s more at home tracking clues in Yosemite’s 300,000 hectares than navigating human relationships. Described by co-creator Elle Smith as someone who “looks good on a horse” and by Mark L. Smith as “good at playing silence,” Bana delivers a masterclass in restrained intensity. Turner is a classic detective archetype—brusque, bourbon-loving, and haunted by a family tragedy—but Bana infuses him with a quiet vulnerability that makes him magnetic. His tired eyes and stoic demeanor hide a man on the brink, clinging to duty as a lifeline. As Variety noted, “Bana portrays a man tortured by his past and the incident that shattered his marriage, pushing him to find justice for Jane Doe.”

Turner’s past is a key driver of the narrative. Six years ago, his young son Caleb died in a tragic incident that also ended his marriage to Jill Bodwin (Rosemarie DeWitt). Living in a cabin filled with unpacked boxes, Turner drowns his grief in whiskey and late-night calls to Jill, who’s now remarried to a blandly decent dentist, Scott (Josh Randall). His obsession with work—and his uncanny ability to find a single bead or strand of hair in Yosemite’s vast wilderness—sets him apart as a near-mythical tracker, but it also isolates him from those around him.

Bana’s performance is a standout, with critics praising his ability to convey “square-jawed authority and salt-and-pepper maturity” without tipping into melodrama. Whether he’s threatening a suspect with menacing eyes or swearing over a missing phone charger, Bana keeps viewers glued to the screen. As Slate put it, “Bana and Smith know how to keep you watching, even when parts of the story start to feel familiar.”

The Mystery: A Body, a Bullet, and a Gold “X”

The premiere episode kicks off with a heart-stopping scene: a woman’s body cartwheels off El Capitan, tangling in climbers’ ropes like a “grotesque wind chime.” Initially deemed an accident, the case takes a dark turn when Turner discovers a gunshot wound, animal-like gashes, and a mysterious gold “X” tattoo on the victim’s wrist. His expert tracking skills lead him to bloody footprints and a bullet lodged in a tree, confirming the death as murder. The victim, later identified as Lucy Cook (Ezra Franky), a troubled young woman who went missing years earlier, becomes the catalyst for a deeper conspiracy lurking in Yosemite’s shadows.

Turner’s investigation, aided by Naya Vasquez, a former LA cop and single mother, uncovers a criminal underbelly beneath the park’s tourist-friendly facade. From hippie squatters chanting “Our Earth, our land” to abandoned mines and indigenous glyphs, the clues pile up, each more unsettling than the last. The series’ six-episode structure keeps the pace tight, avoiding filler while delivering twists that “hit like falling rocks,” as Netflix Junkie described. The central mystery is layered with subplots, including a missing person case from Turner’s past and secrets tied to his son’s death, making every revelation a gut-punch.

The k*ller twist, which we won’t spoil here, arrives in the final episodes, flipping the narrative in a way that forces viewers to rethink everything. As ScreenRant noted, “Each revelation makes viewers rethink everything they thought they knew, as secrets bubble up like bad plumbing.” Fans on X echoed this sentiment, with one user calling it “a slow burn… but awesome thriller” that builds to a “next-level” payoff.

Naya Vasquez: The Rookie Who Steals the Show

Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez is the perfect foil to Turner’s grizzled veteran. A rookie ranger fresh from Los Angeles, Naya brings big-city homicide experience and a sharp wit to Yosemite’s wilds. Her initial discomfort with horses and the park’s quirks provides light humor, but her strength as a single mother to 4-year-old Gael and her own troubled past make her a compelling co-lead. Santiago’s “wide-eyed sweetness and believable sarcasm” add a burst of energy, as The Hollywood Reporter praised, making her partnership with Turner a highlight.

Elle Smith told Netflix’s Tudum, “Because Vasquez is new to the park, we get to see the park through her eyes. We get to understand what this job is, and see the beauty of the park, but also the dangers.” Naya’s growth from an outsider to a key player in the investigation mirrors the audience’s journey, grounding the series in a fresh perspective while amplifying its emotional stakes.

A Stellar Supporting Cast

Untamed boasts a powerhouse ensemble that elevates its familiar tropes. Sam Neill plays Paul Souter, Yosemite’s chief ranger and Turner’s mentor, bringing warmth and gravitas to every scene. Rosemarie DeWitt’s Jill Bodwin, Turner’s ex-wife, carries a “soft ache” that adds depth to their shared grief, as Moneycontrol noted. Wilson Bethel’s Shane Maguire, a former Army Ranger turned wildlife officer, adds intrigue as a loner with his own agenda, while Raoul Max Trujillo’s Jay Stewart provides insight into the park’s indigenous heritage.

The cast’s chemistry is electric, with Bana and Santiago’s mismatched partnership stealing the show. Neill and DeWitt provide emotional anchors, while smaller roles, like William Smillie’s sarcastic ranger Bruce Milch, add texture to the park’s community. As Netflix Junkie put it, “Bana may be the center of gravity, but surrounding him is a constellation of talent that amplifies every scene.”

Yosemite: A Character in Its Own Right

Yosemite National Park, with its towering cliffs, misty meadows, and ancient sequoias, is more than a backdrop—it’s a character that breathes menace and majesty. Filmed in British Columbia due to logistical challenges, the series captures the park’s sprawling beauty while highlighting its dangers. As Turner notes in the trailer, “People see maybe 10% of the park. The rest that’s out there… Things happen different out here.” From tight tunnels with rising water to misty forests hiding secrets, the setting amplifies the tension, making every rustle of leaves feel like a threat.

Moneycontrol praised the show’s ability to make “nature’s silence hide dark secrets,” while Collider noted, “What Yellowstone did for Montana is what Untamed aims to do for Yosemite.” The wilderness setting sets Untamed apart from urban crime dramas, offering a fresh take on the genre that feels both timeless and urgent.

A Slow-Burn with Savage Payoffs

Untamed is unapologetically old-school, leaning into familiar tropes—a depressed cop with a tragic past, a rookie partner, a small-town conspiracy—but it executes them with precision. The six-episode format keeps the story lean, avoiding the bloat of longer series while delivering a satisfying conclusion. Critics have noted occasional pacing issues and predictable beats, with Indiewire arguing it “drifts from its distinctive setting” at times, but the consensus is clear: Untamed is a compelling binge.

The series’ 83% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects its critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its atmosphere and performances. NME called it a “formulaic but effective procedural” with “craggy appeal,” while Slate noted its ability to keep viewers hooked despite familiar elements. Audience reactions are even more enthusiastic, with an 89% Popcornmeter score and X posts like, “Visually it was next level… Eric Bana crushed his role.”

Why It’s a Must-Watch

Untamed is the kind of series that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go. Its slow-burn narrative builds to a ferocious climax, with a twist that redefines the story and leaves you eager for more. Eric Bana’s commanding performance, paired with Lily Santiago’s breakout role and a stellar supporting cast, makes every episode a masterclass in tension and emotion. The Yosemite setting, with its haunting beauty and hidden dangers, elevates the stakes, while the tight six-episode run ensures no moment is wasted.

Fans of True Detective, Yellowstone, or Bana’s earlier work like The Dry will find plenty to love, but Untamed stands on its own as a unique blend of wilderness thriller and character drama. As ScreenRant put it, “Untamed’s trailer highlights the darkness in human nature and the unsettling characteristics of the crimes themselves.” Whether you’re drawn to the mystery, the performances, or the sheer spectacle of Yosemite, this series is a binge-worthy triumph.

So, forget True Detective’s existential musings—Untamed is here to deliver a savage, heart-pounding ride that’s already one of Netflix’s best drops of 2025. All six episodes are streaming now on Netflix, so grab your hiking boots and dive into the wilderness. You won’t see that k*ller twist coming. 💥😱

Stream Untamed on Netflix now, and catch up on other Mark L. Smith projects like American Primeval for more wilderness drama.