| Showrunner | Ramón Campos |
| Creators | Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Jon de la Cuesta, David Orea |
| Directors | Carlos Sedes, Jacobo Martínez |
| Cast | Candela Peña, Tristán Ulloa, Javier Gutiérrez, María León, Carlos Blanco, Raúl Arévalo, Ricardo de Barreiro, Iris Wu |
| Episodes | 6 |
| Genre | Mystery, Drama |
| Alternative Title | El Caso Asunta |
– No Spoilers –
When their adopted daughter Asunta goes missing, her parents Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra go to the police to find her. However, when her dead body is found under mysterious circumstances by the side of the road, it’s the parents who come under the harshest scrutiny. Based on a true unsolved case, the limited series shines a light on the various circumstances surrounding the incident.
The newest mystery series is a meandering story that can leave anyone hooked. The storyline is tight and doesn’t stray from matters at hand. It focuses on the characters and their backstories without giving us too much or too little and everything other than the plot and the acting take a backseat, including the editing and the background score, to elevate the experience of watching this baffling case which gets more and more shocking.
It’s Candela Peña and Tristán Ulloa who are the real MVPs in this story as they deliver some really great performances that will suck you into the story more. Both with some dirty secrets in the closet to hide, it’s very difficult to predict whether or not Rosario and Alfonso are innocent or guilty. Both dedicate themselves to confusing us as much as possible with their taut acting that doesn’t leave room for doubt… well, other than doubting whether they murdered their daughter or not! Peña, especially, is so excellent as Roasio – she looks vulnerable and innocent but has a way about her that makes us question her constantly.
Coming to plot progression, The Asunta Case trickles its information and constantly provides shocking inconsistencies in the parents’ behaviours and testimonies that keep us hooked. You won’t be able to look away from the screen as more and more things come to light that make the police question the validity of their statements. The thrilling way in which the series portrays its characters in different lights while progressing the different aspects of the case will leave you at the edge of your seats. The pacing is also fine and the series doesn’t dwell too long on one thing to bore you.
I surprisingly loved the backstories of the detectives and the prosecutors. They are showcased as good characters who actually know what they are doing. Although one might question the authenticity or the unbiasedness of the police in this case, at least the police are doing something instead of not doing anything like in other shows. Plus, María León and Carlos Blanco are adorable as the detective partners and are surprisingly compassionate and empathetic as well, which makes for a great change.
However, let’s come to the morality question – is it moral to showcase this case in this light? A quick Google search can take any viewer to the various facts of the case, particularly all the things that did and did not make sense. So, if you want to look away from the semi-fictional account(s) and follow the case in its entirety, I think that’s a good place to start. Another interesting thing when it comes to morality is the media’s role in this entire mess. Whether or not you believe the parents did it, one cannot downplay the role of the media sensationalizing this horrible case, which, at its core, is of a young girl’s tragic demise. It definitely makes you think and ask yourself whether the people who are supposed to protect and care for the general public really have our best interests in mind.
The Asunta Case Review: Final Thoughts
For fans of true crime and the macabre, this series will definitely keep you hooked. From one shocking revelation after another, the show is a harrowing ordeal that makes you question who the real culprit is. Although the facts are out there on the internet for anyone to mull over, I think if you love true crime, this one is a good watch – if nothing, then to only make you think about the various moving parts when it comes to a horrible tragedy such as murder.
The Asunta Case is streaming on Netflix.
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