Hierro

Hierro is a captivating Spanish crime-drama series set on the volcanic island of El Hierro in the Canaries, one of Spain's westernmost regions. Produced by Movistar+, the series shines a spotlight on the raw beauty of the island while orchestrating a compelling narrative of crime and local politics that drives the entire plot.

Premiered in 2019 and carrying onto 2022, this multiple-season series strays from typical crime-drama stereotypes, delivering complex characters and a strong sense of the island environment, steeped among towering cliffs and the vastness of the Atlantic. Every episode not only heightens the narrative tension but further plunges viewers into Hierro's sheer cliffs, dark past, and labyrinthine fauna. This island becomes almost a character itself, shaping the actions and decisions of each person and fostering the series' overall aura.

Central to the narrative of Hierro is Candela, brilliantly portrayed by Candela Peña. Candela is a fearless, determined judge, notorious for her iron hand in dealing with crime. She is transferred to El Hierro, considered by many as a professional punishment. However, the character is unphased. Despite the remoteness of the island and its cultural peculiarity, Candela is determined to uphold justice, regardless of the challenges she may face.

Her first critical case on the island involves the murder of a young local man, Fran, igniting a saga of tribulations that take the town, and viewers, by storm. The suspect? Díaz (played by Darío Grandinetti), a shady and charismatic entrepreneur, fresh out of jail and carrying the baggage of a checkered past. His performance gives us an ambiguous and enigmatic character that keeps us guessing for the entirety of the series.

Hierro also explores the complex dynamic between these two main characters, Candela and Díaz. Candela is determined to expose the truth and bring the guilty party to justice, while Díaz, although the prime suspect, insists on his innocence. Their fiery exchanges and intriguing cat-and-mouse game craft a plot one can't help but become engrossed in.

A unique aspect of Hierro is how it ties the local socio-political milieu into the narrative fabric. Various community members, from the island's small-time criminals to the influential business moguls, are intricately woven into the murder case's alarmingly escalating mystery. It exposes the island's deep-rooted tension between natives, economic migrants, and professional incomers, providing a comprehensive portrayal of Hierro's community. As a result, the crime resorting to Díaz isn't merely a murder case but a social commentary that underlines the price of progress and the question of justice.

The series eye-catchingly uses volcanic landscapes, the grandeur of nature, and the desolate beauty of El Hierro to craft a mesmerizing backdrop for the story. The domineering views of the island's lush mountains, towering cliffs, and quaint rural vistas paired with the isolated calm of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean create an eerie contrast with the narrative intensity. This contrast between serene nature and dark human nature keeps us engrossed and paints Hierro as a show where nature and people are intertwined uniquely, each affecting the other significantly.

Hierro employs a slow-burning narrative style, gradually escalating tension while unpredictably unveiling each layer of the plot—a testament to meticulous script-writing that keeps viewers on the edge, eager to see each piece of the puzzle fit in. This meticulousness extends to the exceptional performances of the cast alongside the brilliant cinematography, capturing El Hierro in its isolation and dramatic beauty.

Overall, Hierro from Movistar+ offers an immersive spectrum of intrigue, drama, and suspense. It purposefully subverts the classic crime-drama stereotypes while introducing viewers to unfamiliar terrains—literally and in narrative terms. A must-watch for those fascinated by intense storylines, profoundly flawed yet captivating characters, and impressive geographic spectacle. Every element of Hierro, from character development, plotline, performances, to cinematography, perfectly culminates, making it a critically significant addition to the global catalog of crime-drama thrillers.