‘Untamed’ Review: Eric Bana and Lily Santiago Anchor Netflix’s Intriguing but Rushed Yosemite-Set Mystery

In Untamed, Netflix’s latest foray into prestige thriller territory, a brutal murder at Yosemite National Park pulls together a disparate team of law enforcement, grieving family members, and old ghosts from the wilderness. But while the series boasts a compelling premise and a pair of commanding leads in Eric Bana and Lily Santiago, its impact is diluted by pacing issues and an overstuffed script that doesn’t always trust its audience to follow the trail.

The six-episode limited series was co-created by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant, American Primeval), and it’s easy to see his fingerprints all over the show: a rugged sense of isolation, morally complex protagonists, and a backdrop where nature itself seems complicit in the violence. The ingredients are all there — but like an ill-prepared camping trip, the journey begins strong and ends a little too quickly.

🕵️‍♂️ The Setup: A Murder in the Mist

Untamed opens with the discovery of a mutilated body deep in a remote, off-trail sector of Yosemite — a place known only to rangers and long-term hikers. Bana plays Ranger Ethan Cade, a war-hardened ex-FBI profiler who’s retreated to park life after a career-ending scandal. Santiago portrays Deputy US Marshal Lena Rivera, a sharp, determined investigator called in after evidence suggests the murder may be linked to a missing-persons case from 1997.

“There are things out here we were never meant to find,” Cade warns in Episode 1. It’s a line that sets the tone for a series where every tree seems to whisper secrets, and every trailhead could end in something buried.

🎭 Performances: The Series’ Strongest Terrain

Eric Bana, always reliable in brooding roles, gives Cade a restrained intensity — a man haunted but not broken. His chemistry with Lily Santiago is unexpectedly effective, their dynamic balancing personal conflict with mutual respect. Santiago, in particular, shines here with a commanding screen presence that elevates even expository-heavy dialogue.

The supporting cast — including David Costabile as a cryptic former ranger, India de Beaufort as a crusading podcast journalist, and Keith David in a too-brief appearance as Lena’s mentor — adds gravitas but often feels underutilized.

📝 The Mystery: Layers, Twists, and a Rushed Descent

The murder plot itself is multilayered, incorporating long-forgotten ranger misconduct, buried environmental data, cartel ties, and generational trauma. And for four episodes, Untamed builds tension masterfully — the writing is tight, the visual style immersive, and the pacing deliberate.

But in Episodes 5 and 6, the story accelerates too quickly, wrapping major threads in exposition-laden monologues and abrupt flashbacks. What begins as a smart, slow-burn thriller ends feeling slightly unfinished — or worse, trimmed for binge-ability.

“It’s not that the ending is bad,” said one early viewer. “It’s that it feels like there’s a missing episode somewhere.”

🎥 Visuals & Direction: Hauntingly Beautiful

What can’t be faulted is the cinematography. Shot on location in California, Untamed makes full use of Yosemite’s grandeur — fog-draped peaks, glowing campfires under starry skies, and winding trails that blur into dreams and nightmares. Director Kimberly Peirce (Stop-Loss) helms the first two episodes with a strong sense of mood and dread.

The score by Ben Frost (Dark, Fortitude) is spare and effective, enhancing the atmosphere without overwhelming it.

📉 The Verdict: Wild but Not Fully Free

Untamed is compelling enough to justify the binge, and the performances make it worth the trip. But it also leaves a trail of missed opportunities. With one or two more episodes to let its themes breathe and plotlines deepen, it could have been among Netflix’s best thrillers of the year.

Still, it’s a welcome entry in the “elevated wilderness thriller” genre, and fans of True Detective, Outer Range, and American Primeval will likely find plenty to enjoy.

⭐ RATING: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
A visually stunning, well-acted mystery that grips early but rushes its landing. Untamed leaves a mark — but doesn’t quite go deep enough into the wild.