Since its debut in 2018, Yellowstone has redefined the neo-Western genre, captivating audiences with its gritty portrayal of the Dutton family’s fight to protect their Montana ranch. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the series blends high-stakes drama, family feuds, and breathtaking landscapes, earning a massive following and spawning spin-offs like 1883 and 1923. With its final season concluding in December 2024, fans are scouring streaming platforms for a worthy successor. Enter Untamed, Netflix’s new wilderness thriller that premiered on July 17, 2025, and has already climbed to the top of the platform’s Top 10 charts. Starring Eric Bana and Sam Neill, this six-episode limited series set in Yosemite National Park has drawn comparisons to Yellowstone and True Detective for its gripping mysteries, complex characters, and stunning backdrop. Critics are raving about its emotional depth and a jaw-dropping final twist that promises to linger long after the credits roll. Could Untamed outshine Yellowstone as the next must-watch drama? This article explores the series’ premise, critical reception, comparisons to Yellowstone, and why its haunting finale is generating buzz.

The Premise of Untamed

Untamed is a character-driven mystery-thriller that follows Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), a National Parks Service agent tasked with investigating a young woman’s mysterious death at Yosemite National Park. What begins as a seemingly tragic accident—a fall from the iconic El Capitan—takes a darker turn as evidence suggests the woman was fleeing from something or someone. Turner, a weathered investigator with a troubled past, is haunted by personal demons, including a drinking problem, a painful divorce from his ex-wife Jill (Rosemarie DeWitt), and the lingering grief of his son’s death years earlier. Alongside his new partner, Naya Vazquez (Lily Santiago), and under the guidance of his mentor, chief park ranger Paul Souter (Sam Neill), Turner unravels a web of secrets that intertwines the park’s community with its untamed wilderness.

Set against the awe-inspiring yet perilous landscapes of Yosemite, Untamed distinguishes itself with its unique setting. Unlike Yellowstone’s sprawling Montana ranch, the series leverages the park’s towering cliffs, dense forests, and unpredictable wildlife to amplify the tension. The show, co-created by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant, American Primeval), explores themes of loss, guilt, and redemption, with the wilderness serving as both a backdrop and a metaphor for the characters’ inner turmoil. Over six episodes, Untamed balances a slow-burn murder mystery with character-driven drama, culminating in a finale that critics have called “genuinely affecting” and “unforgettable.”

Critical Reception and Streaming Success

Since its release, Untamed has garnered strong praise, earning an 83% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews and an 89% audience score on the Popcornmeter, positioning it as a potential “Certified Fresh” hit. Critics have lauded its compelling performances, particularly Bana’s portrayal of the flawed yet empathetic Turner, and the unique Yosemite setting that sets it apart from other crime dramas. Pramit Chatterjee of Digital Mafia Talkies gave the series a near-perfect 4/5, praising its willingness to “question the point of learning the truth when the damage done by lies is irreparable.” Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter noted that, while not as polished as Yellowstone, Untamed engages viewers with its character-driven narrative and Bana’s “slow thawing” performance. Anthony Morris of ScreenHub advised audiences to “come for the scenery, stay for Bana’s slow thawing,” while Alex Maidy of JoBlo compared its impact to Yellowstone’s depiction of Montana, stating, “What Yellowstone did for Montana is what Untamed aims to do for Yosemite.”

However, not all reviews are glowing. ScreenRant gave Untamed a 4/10, calling it “predictable and uninspired” but acknowledging its potential as a tighter film rather than a series. Paste Magazine noted that the central mystery lacks innovation and the pacing can feel sluggish, with the final episode’s twist feeling “tacked on” at times. Despite these critiques, the show’s compact six-episode format makes it an easy binge, contributing to its rapid rise to No. 1 on Netflix’s Top 10 list, surpassing Sullivan’s Crossing and Squid Game: The Challenge. Its 20.2 million views and 31 million hours watched in its first week underscore its appeal to audiences craving intense, character-driven thrillers.

Comparisons to Yellowstone

Untamed has drawn inevitable comparisons to Yellowstone for its neo-Western elements, rugged setting, and focus on morally complex characters. Both series feature protagonists—John Dutton in Yellowstone and Kyle Turner in Untamed—who are driven by a sense of duty to protect their respective domains (a ranch and a national park) while grappling with personal loss. Yellowstone’s Dutton family faces external threats like land developers and internal betrayals, much like Turner’s investigation uncovers corruption and secrets within Yosemite’s community. The shows share a visual grandeur, with Untamed’s Yosemite vistas rivaling Yellowstone’s Montana landscapes, and both use their settings to amplify the stakes of their narratives.

However, Untamed diverges from Yellowstone in significant ways. While Yellowstone is a sprawling family saga with multiple seasons and a focus on power struggles, Untamed is a contained miniseries that prioritizes psychological depth over plot-driven spectacle. Yellowstone thrives on high-octane action—shootouts, land disputes, and political maneuvering—while Untamed leans into a slower, more introspective pace, with the wilderness itself posing as much a threat as human adversaries. Critics have noted that Untamed’s character-driven approach, particularly its exploration of Turner’s grief and addiction, echoes True Detective’s introspective tone more than Yellowstone’s bombast. Additionally, Untamed incorporates a broader range of characters, including Indigenous park workers and environmentalists, adding diversity to its narrative that Yellowstone has been criticized for lacking.

Unlike Yellowstone, which relies on its ensemble cast (Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser) to drive multi-season arcs, Untamed centers on Bana’s Turner, with supporting players like Santiago and Neill adding emotional weight. The show’s limited scope allows for a tighter narrative, avoiding the sprawl that some felt diluted Yellowstone’s later seasons. While Yellowstone’s finale provided closure, Untamed’s compact storytelling and shocking final twist offer a fresh take on the neo-Western genre, appealing to fans seeking a new obsession without committing to multiple seasons.

The Haunting Final Twist

Without spoiling specifics—per critics’ requests to avoid revealing key plot points—Untamed’s finale has become a major talking point. Described as both “surprising” and “genuinely affecting,” the twist ties together the series’ themes of loss, guilt, and the search for truth. Unlike Yellowstone’s action-driven climaxes, Untamed’s conclusion focuses on emotional and psychological revelations, leaving viewers to grapple with the moral ambiguities of Turner’s journey. Critics have praised the twist for its ability to reframe the entire series, with Chatterjee noting its exploration of “irreparable damage” caused by hidden truths. However, some, like Paste Magazine, have critiqued its execution as feeling abrupt, suggesting it could have been better integrated.

The twist’s impact lies in its ability to haunt viewers, much like the lingering questions surrounding Yellowstone’s character fates. Social media, particularly X, has been abuzz with fans debating the finale’s implications, with posts like “Untamed’s ending hit me harder than Yellowstone’s finale—did NOT see that coming!” and “Eric Bana deserves an Emmy for carrying that twist.” The emotional weight of the conclusion, combined with Yosemite’s haunting backdrop, ensures that Untamed leaves a lasting impression, even if its pacing and mystery mechanics don’t always match its ambitions.

Why Untamed Appeals to Yellowstone Fans

For Yellowstone fans, Untamed offers a familiar yet distinct flavor of drama. Its neo-Western sensibilities—rugged landscapes, morally grey characters, and a sense of isolation—echo Yellowstone’s appeal, while its national park setting provides a fresh twist. The series’ focus on Turner’s personal struggles mirrors Yellowstone’s exploration of John Dutton’s sacrifices for his family, but Untamed delves deeper into psychological terrain, appealing to viewers who enjoyed Yellowstone’s quieter, character-driven moments. The inclusion of action scenes, such as tense confrontations in the wilderness, satisfies fans of Yellowstone’s high-stakes sequences, though Untamed leans more on suspense than outright violence.

The show’s compact format is a significant draw for those fatigued by Yellowstone’s multi-season commitment. At six episodes, Untamed is a weekend binge that delivers a complete story, unlike Yellowstone’s ongoing saga or its spin-offs. Additionally, Untamed’s diverse cast and inclusion of environmental and Indigenous perspectives offer a modern take on the Western genre, addressing criticisms of Yellowstone’s limited representation. For fans who loved Yellowstone’s cinematography, Untamed’s Yosemite setting—though not filmed in the actual park—provides a visually stunning alternative, with sweeping shots of cliffs and forests that rival Montana’s vistas.

Comparisons to Other Netflix Westerns

Netflix has been aggressively pursuing Yellowstone’s audience with titles like Ransom Canyon, The Waterfront, and Territory, but Untamed stands out for its critical acclaim and unique setting. Ransom Canyon, a Texas-set drama, was criticized as a “clunky family soap opera” and a “Yellowstone* knockoff,” with a 63% Rotten Tomatoes score. The Waterfront, despite topping Netflix charts, received mixed reviews (63% critics, 67% audience) for its uneven tone, blending Yellowstone-style family drama with CW-esque romance. Territory, an Australian neo-Western, has been praised for its character depth and 80% Rotten Tomatoes score, but its focus on a cattle station feels closer to Yellowstone than Untamed’s wilderness thriller vibe.

Untamed also draws comparisons to Longmire, another Netflix Western with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, which shares its small-town Wyoming setting and morally complex sheriff. However, Longmire’s six-season arc and law enforcement focus contrast with Untamed’s concise mystery format. Unlike these competitors, Untamed blends Yellowstone’s rugged aesthetic with True Detective’s introspective mystery, creating a hybrid that appeals to fans of both. Its critical edge and shorter runtime make it a standout in Netflix’s crowded Western catalog.

Broader Context and Streaming Trends

The success of Untamed reflects Netflix’s strategy to capitalize on Yellowstone’s popularity as the neo-Western genre continues to thrive. Yellowstone’s record-breaking cable ratings—topping charts for all five seasons—have spurred streamers to invest in similar shows. Netflix’s acquisition of Yellowstone for international markets like the UK and Canada (though not the U.S., where Peacock holds rights until 2028) signals its intent to dominate the genre. Titles like Ransom Canyon and The Waterfront aim to replicate Yellowstone’s formula, but Untamed’s unique setting and critical praise give it an edge.

Social media buzz on X has fueled Untamed’s momentum, with fans posting, “Untamed is what Ransom Canyon wished it could be—gripping and gorgeous!” and “If you loved Yellowstone’s drama, Untamed’s twist will blow your mind.” The show’s ability to blend Yellowstone’s visceral appeal with a contained, emotionally resonant story has positioned it as a serious contender. As Netflix continues to expand its Western offerings, Untamed proves that the genre can evolve beyond ranching sagas, embracing new settings and psychological depth.

Conclusion

Untamed has emerged as Netflix’s most compelling answer to Yellowstone, offering a thrilling mix of wilderness suspense, complex characters, and a finale that critics and audiences can’t stop talking about. Eric Bana’s soulful performance as Kyle Turner, paired with the haunting Yosemite setting, creates a neo-Western thriller that rivals Yellowstone’s intensity while carving its own path. Though not without flaws—some critics note its uneven pacing and predictable mystery—Untamed’s emotional depth and shocking twist make it a must-watch for fans craving a new obsession. With a stellar 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and a No. 1 spot on Netflix’s charts, Untamed proves that the wilderness can be as gripping as a Montana ranch. Stream it now to experience the drama, romance, and secrets that have critics raving—and brace yourself for a finale that will haunt you forever.