Eric Bana shines in Netflix’s Untamed, a suspenseful limited series packed with mystery and grit. Read our full review of his unforgettable performance.
Eric Bana’s Netflix series Untamed is much more than an exciting journey through six episodes; it’s a character study accompanied by suspense, tension, and humanity’s visceral elements. The series is situated in the shed of an expansive, rugged outback and sees Bana return to fine form, playing a man who’s constantly at odds with external forces against the backdrop of inner conflict. If slow-burn storytelling with character and tension is your jam, Untamed is essential viewing.
What is Untamed About?
At its most fundamental level, Untamed is an involving Australian detective/crime drama about Kyle, an experienced investigator who is working through a dark past. He is called to investigate a suspicious death in the outback, and quickly becomes embroiled in a mix of small-town secrecy, local politics, and personal reckoning.
While that might sound like a run-of-the-mill narrative, the brilliance of Untamed is found in how the story unfolds. The writing is eerily lit, the pacing is calculated (but never lethargic), and the setting- those incredible, vast, empty, line-of-sight landscapes- feel alive within the story.
Eric Bana as Kyle: A Role for the Ages
Eric Bana has played many roles in his career, from Chopper to Munich to The Dry, but Untamed is a creative advance in his craft to date.
What Makes Bana Unique in Untamed
Emotional weight: Kyle is a man of few words, but Bana imbues meaning to every glance and silence.
Physical authority: Whether he is on horseback investigating crime scenes or staring down corrupt officials, Bana has an innate authority, a quiet presence that carries weight.
Physicality: With natural locations far from urban centres, Bana did much of the shooting on horseback, contributing to a sense of realism fitting for his character’s ruggedness.
Cinematography and Direction: The Outback as a Character
Through Lynne’s sunburnt, barren landscapes, Untamed used the terrain as much as possible as part of the texture of the story. The landscape became a living being of its own. Each frame feels like a painting. Its vastness echoes Kyle’s disconnection from the world, the inhospitable land relating to the dark truths of the characters that Kyle uncovers.
Technical Features:
Wide shots and natural available light in the stylish, discreet hand-held work by cinematographer Luke Arliss enhance the realism.
A sparse score from composer Jane Kellar generally builds anticipation with less musical intensity.
Director Gemma Radcliffe held tight narrative control over the story while allowing the story to breathe.
What Makes Untamed Different From Other Crime Dramas?
Untamed is different than Broadchurch and True Detective, which led to criticism for moody, psychologically driven mystery dramas, because of its:
Pace: Untamed has a slow, methodical pace, but never drags. Each scene and moment had a purpose.
Character Focus:
Secondary characters like the ambivalent ranger Devlin or the vulnerable widow Elise are fully developed.
Cultural Texture:
The series uses the Australian setting, but also employs Aboriginal themes, small-town dynamics, and ecological issues.
Real World comparison:
In 2023, a real-life unsolved case in the Northern Territory gave rise to a debate on how rural policing operates in remote sections of the geographic expanse. Untamed subtly alludes to these concerns while adding a layer of relevance for social commentary.
Minor Flaws — Nothing Deadly
No show is perfect. Critics have pointed out some moments where the series can slip into genre tropes like the “loner cop with a past” thread. While one or two plot twists may still feel a little contrived. But these issues are minor on the whole, with solid performances and consistent tone to help mask them.
How is Untamed performing on Netflix?
Since its launch:
Untamed entered the Netflix Top 10 globally within 72 hours.
Eric Bana’s name trended on X (formerly Twitter) for over 24 hours after the premiere.
IMDb rating of 8.4/10 with upwards of 15,000 user reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 91% Fresh.
The Wish for Watching Untamed
I have been following Bana’s career for 20 years or more, and with hindsight, I can say this is his defining role for the new generation. It is, therefore, one of those rare creations that paints a fine brushstroke of smart writing, excellent performances, and stories with meaning.
FAQs
1. Are Untamed stories true to life?
No, though borrowing from issues that affect the real world in remote Australia, Untamed remains a fictional narrative.
2. How many episodes does Untamed have?
There are six neatly-made episodes running approximately 45 minutes each.
3. So, where was Untamed filmed?
The filming department of Untamed traversed a remote landscape in the Australian outback that is wonderful yet ruthless.
4. What makes Eric Bana’s performance so special in Untamed?
While elucidating a character who shies from emotional room and yet offers so much raw intensity to the smallest detail, Bana gives a fascinating and believable performance.
5. Is it possible to watch Untamed with my family?
This one delves into mature themes and language and would be appropriate only for an adult audience.
6. Is the second season of Untamed out yet?
No season 2 has been announced officially by Netflix yet. But its success may very well inspire either a continuation of the first or some kind of spin-off.