Breaking Down the Many Twists and Reveals in the Ending of Netflix’s Untamed

Netflix’s new series Untamed, from screenwriters Mark L. Smith and his daughter Elle Smith, has sparked a range of comparisons to Paramount’s Yellowstone. Both shows, set in the rugged landscapes of the American West, share themes of familial power struggles, loyalty, and land disputes. However, while it may be tempting to pigeonhole Untamed as Netflix’s attempt to cash in on the success of Yellowstone, the series is a far more complex and layered creation that belongs to a different breed of neo-Western storytelling.

The Untamed finale, filled with unexpected twists and shocking reveals, leaves viewers with much to think about. But before diving into the explosive ending, it’s important to understand why Untamed isn’t just a simple imitation of Yellowstone. The show shares more in common with Top of the Lake, Jane Campion’s 2013 mystery series, which was set in the remote and often dangerous landscape of New Zealand. Untamed takes this format—regional detective drama—and places it into the American West, blending elements of mystery, crime, and suspense to craft a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.

The Regional Detective Drama Template

At its core, Untamed follows a similar structure to Campion’s Top of the Lake. Both shows explore deeply rooted tensions within communities, where secrets and lies fester beneath the surface. While Yellowstone focuses on land and power dynamics within a wealthy ranching family, Untamed delves into the gritty, smaller-scale drama of a local community torn apart by mystery and unresolved conflicts. The tension in Untamed is driven not by overt corporate or political battles, but by personal relationships, hidden truths, and family secrets.

In this sense, Untamed feels like a spiritual successor to the likes of Top of the Lake, offering viewers the same slow-burn tension, regional isolation, and unpredictable storytelling that made Campion’s show so compelling. Untamed is driven by its characters—flawed, complicated, and deeply human. This is a show about the people who live in the shadows of the American West, rather than the grandiose estates and sprawling ranches that dominate the Yellowstone narrative.

The Twists and Turns in the Finale

The finale of Untamed delivers a cascade of twists that, upon first glance, seem almost too much to absorb. But as the dust settles, these twists provide a compelling conclusion that reinforces the show’s underlying themes of power, loss, and redemption. At the center of the drama is the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, which acts as the catalyst for the unraveling of long-buried secrets in the small town. The characters, many of whom are connected by blood or history, find themselves at the mercy of these revelations.

One of the most shocking moments comes when a seemingly innocuous character is revealed to be far more central to the plot than previously suspected. This character, initially presented as a side player, turns out to have been behind many of the events that have occurred throughout the series. The reveal is expertly timed, dropping clues throughout the series but never giving away enough to fully anticipate the outcome. The effect is a classic twist that leaves viewers questioning everything they thought they knew about the story.

Another twist that shakes the foundations of the narrative involves the relationship between two main characters. Throughout the show, their dynamic has been one of tension, with each harboring deep secrets from the other. In the finale, these secrets come to light in a devastating confrontation that changes the course of the story and challenges the characters’ motivations. It’s a heart-wrenching moment that underscores the theme of personal betrayal, and the impact of past decisions on the present.

Themes of Power, Legacy, and Family

The end of Untamed is not only a culmination of the mystery at the show’s core, but also an exploration of the destructive power of secrets within families. Much like Top of the Lake, Untamed centers on the idea that the darkest secrets often come from the people we trust the most. The show emphasizes the complicated nature of family dynamics—how love and loyalty can coexist with resentment, betrayal, and violence.

The series also deals with the theme of legacy, particularly the impact of generational trauma. The characters in Untamed are not just dealing with the present, but are haunted by the mistakes and actions of their ancestors. As the show progresses, it becomes clear that the town’s troubles are deeply tied to the sins of the past, and that those sins are never fully buried. This theme adds a layer of complexity to the series, elevating it from a simple mystery to a more nuanced meditation on the weight of history.

Comparisons to Yellowstone and Regional Drama

While Untamed shares some surface-level similarities with Yellowstone, particularly its setting and exploration of rural America, it takes a much more subtle approach to storytelling. Yellowstone is known for its high-stakes drama, larger-than-life characters, and violent confrontations. Untamed, by contrast, is quieter, slower, and more methodical. The tension in Untamed is built through character development, careful world-building, and the slow reveal of secrets, rather than through explosive action scenes.

Ultimately, Untamed stands as its own entity in the world of streaming dramas. While it may share some thematic elements with Yellowstone, it’s more closely aligned with the quiet intensity of shows like Top of the Lake. The series creates a world that is rich in atmosphere, where the landscape itself plays as much a role as the characters, and the weight of personal history feels as palpable as the dust in the air. It’s a show that rewards patient viewers and leaves them with a haunting, unforgettable conclusion.

Conclusion: A New Era for Neo-Westerns

With Untamed, Netflix has crafted a neo-Western that embraces the complexities of human relationships, the weight of history, and the beauty of the American landscape, while offering viewers a series that is as intellectually engaging as it is suspenseful. The show may not have the same high-octane appeal as Yellowstone, but its slow-burn tension, intricate character development, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout in the modern television landscape.

As the final credits roll on Untamed, it’s clear that the show has carved out a space for itself in the growing genre of regional detective dramas. By blending mystery with character-driven storytelling, it has set a new standard for what a neo-Western can be. And with its shocking twists and emotional depth, Untamed proves that sometimes, the quietest stories are the most unforgettable.