City of Shadows–Throw Some Shade

Based on a Spanish novel by Aro Sáinz de la Maza, we see a man hanging off a balcony of a UNESCO World Heritage site, Casa Milá (Pedrera).   His body has been set on fire.   The murder victim is the CEO of a giant construction company and has profited from government contracts for housing and civic development.  Barcelona, City of Shadows (Spanish: Ciudad de Sombras) is the venue for this intense thriller.

A highly skilled detective, Milo Malart (Isak Férriz) has been called back to duty to solve what will be a series of brutal murders of highly successful and powerful CEOs.  As a condition of returning to active duty, Milo must meet with a psychologist once a week. At these sessions the viewer learns that his nephew committed suicide and this may have had something to do with his insubordination and suspension.

Fellow officer Rebecca Garrido (Verónica Echegui) is ordered to Madrid to help Milo. When they look into the first killing she hypothesizes that the murders have something to do with the historic landmarks of renowned architect Gaudí. Each subsequent murder is equally brutal, leaving a mysterious religious symbol, and  staged at one of the famous Gaudí sites.

Rebecca trusts Milo’s instincts and judgment more than she does her other colleagues and superiors who are disdainful and even confrontational towards her and Milo.   Together they track down the culprit, expose government and law officers’ malfeasance, and reveal why the team of Milo and Rebecca understand each other so well.

The acting, especially that of Verónica Echegui as the calm and unflappable detective who persists in trusting Milo, is magnetic.  And the scenes showcasing some of  Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces are unforgettable.  City of Shadows is suspenseful and worth watching.

Availability:  Netflix (December 12, 2015 release date in US)

Note:  The mini-series is dedicated to the beautiful Verónica Echegui who died before the release of City of Shadows.