City of Shadows Review: When a man is burned to death on the iconic Gaudí building, suspended inspector Milo Malart and Deputy Inspector Rebeca Garrido get together to solve the shocking case that takes unexpected turns.
City of Shadows Netflix Cast
Isak Férriz, Verónica Echegui, Ana Wagener, María Adánez, Manolo Solo, Marc Clotet, Aina Clotet, Vicky Peña
City of Shadows Series Director
Jorge Torregrossa
City of Shadows 2025 Writers
Carlos López, Clara Esparrach
Original Title
Ciudad de sombras
The crime-thriller series has 6 episodes, each with a runtime of around 50 minutes. The series is adapted from the novel El Verdugo de Gaudí by Aro Sáinz de la Maza.
City of Shadows Review
In Netflix’s latest crime-thriller series, a string of gruesome murders leaves Barcelona reeling as the threat of more bodies showing up looms in the air. The series blends murky mystery, procedural drama and psychological depth beautifully, and the beautiful Catalonian setting adds charm and a sort of mystery to the storyline that reels you into the story deeply.
The series questions authority and makes us wonder who is the real culprit in this dangerous and gruesome game of cat and mouse as Rebeca and Milo fight against the system to get to the bottom of the situation. However, by the end of it, you are left heartbroken for the perpetrators in this morally ambiguous show that leaves you reeling. The series does a great job of balancing criminal intrigue with character psychology, delving deep into both while keeping the pacing steady.
There aren’t many moments when you will feel bored, as when the thrill of the crime subsides, you are pushed into an intense psychological situation through which are leads are going through. Both of these generate an equal amount of intrigue, and the noir-like atmosphere creates an immersive experience wherein the beautiful city of Barcelona isn’t just another forgettable character. The city feels like it’s breathing at every moment and is very much a part of the narrative in every sense. The Gaudi-inspired locales feel menacingly beautiful, pushing us deeper into what could’ve triggered these horrific crimes.
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I will, however, say that the series’s points of interest are quite similar to other crime shows that we have seen on the streaming platform. From discussions surrounding abuse to going through intense psychological anguish and finding a mole in the team, we have mostly seen it all. However, it’s the execution that feels interesting in City of Shadows‘s case. Despite running on similar beats, it feels interesting to watch and catches our fancy early on. Moreover, the series does tend to take a bit of time to get to the point, so if you’re interested in something more action-packed, this might feel too slow for you.
That being said, the series’s performances are its best part, and Isak Férriz and Verónica Echegui are fantastic in it. Both the actors are absolutely believable in every sense of the term when it comes to portraying their characters, and you understand their struggles, frustrations and different moods at every turn. The character psychology enriches the narrative as the characters’ personal ups and downs relate directly to what is happening around them.
Final Thoughts
City of Shadows is a solid crime show. It might feel a bit slow, but mixing the characters’ struggles and psychological ups and downs in general with classic crime tropes makes it stand out and will leave viewers engaged as you try to understand what is going on and why. It’s a heartbreaking watch as well, as you are forced to confront the immorality that happened with the perpetrators, leaving you with your heart heavy. It also serves as a fitting farewell to Echegui, one of Spain’s great talents, lost too early.
What are your thoughts on City of Shadows? Let us know in the comments below!