Netflix delivered another outstanding Spanish production at the end of 2025! Ciudad de Sombras (City of Shadows in English) is a six-episode thriller series released on December 12, 2025. Set among Barcelona’s iconic Gaudí buildings, this dark crime story shot straight to the global charts upon release and kept binge-watchers up all night.
What’s It About?
The story opens with a burned corpse hanging from the façade of Antoni Gaudí’s famous La Pedrera (Casa Milà). Suspended detective Milo Malart (Isak Férriz) returns to duty alongside assistant inspector Rebeca Garrido (Verónica Echegui) to solve this horrifying murder.
Each episode is named after a Gaudí landmark (such as Park Güell or Sagrada Família), and the investigation unfolds through a series of murders targeting the city’s elite, entangled with corruption and dark secrets. With its psychological tension, sharp twists, and commentary on social inequality, the series sets itself apart from a standard crime procedural.
Why Is It So Addictive?
- Short and intense: Only 6 episodes, each around 50 minutes. Easily finished in one night.
- A visual feast: Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture feels like a character in itself. Rain-soaked, dark cinematography pushes the tension to the limit.
- Outstanding performances: Isak Férriz nails the brooding detective role, while Verónica Echegui delivers a powerful performance in one of her final roles (the actress, who passed away in August 2025, is honored with an emotional dedication at the end of Episode 1).
- A Spanish thriller classic: Fans of Burning Body, Intimacy, or Elite will love it.
Ratings and Reactions
On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 100% critics’ score (still with a limited number of reviews, but overwhelmingly positive), and the audience score is climbing fast. On IMDb, it sits around 6.6. Viewers describe it as “atmospheric noir,” “finished it in one sitting,” and praise how the Gaudí buildings add a unique mood. Some say the tension builds slowly at first, but overall it’s already being considered one of the best mini-series of 2025.
Who Should Watch?
- Fans of European crime thrillers
- Lovers of Barcelona and Gaudí architecture
- Viewers looking for a tight, filler-free mini-series
- Those who enjoyed The Asunta Case or Sacred Family
Final Word
If you’re scrolling thinking “what should I watch?”, start Ciudad de Sombras right away. Warning: it may keep you up until morning—have coffee ready. One of Netflix’s standout hits of 2025, blending beauty and brutality in equal measure.
What did you think of the ending? Drop your spoiler-free thoughts!
