Eric Bana, the star of Netflix’s hit thriller Untamed, has dropped a bombshell about the series’ finale, admitting that even he was blindsided by its shocking twist. In a candid interview with Variety on August 21, 2025, at 4:26 PM +07, the 56-year-old Australian actor revealed that the script took an unexpected turn, leaving a haunting impact that lingered with him long after filming wrapped. The revelation has sent fans into a frenzy, re-examining the six-episode saga’s climactic moments and fueling speculation about its emotional weight.
Untamed, which premiered on July 17, 2025, follows National Parks Service agent Kyle Turner (Bana) as he investigates a brutal murder in Yosemite National Park. The series, co-created by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, built to a jaw-dropping finale where Turner uncovers a devastating truth: his mentor, Paul Souter (Sam Neill), is revealed as the father of the victim, Lucy Cook, and accidentally caused her death by shooting her in a panic. Souter’s subsequent suicide by leaping into a river left Turner—and viewers—reeling. Bana confessed, “I was pretty blown away. When I read it, I thought, ‘This is so Mark Smith to do this.’ It was an incredible twist.”
The actor pinpointed one detail in the final scene that haunted him: Souter’s confession, delivered in a remote riverside setting, where the roar of rapids drowned out his words, forcing Turner to lean in close. Bana told Collider, “That moment where I had to look into Sam’s eyes as he admitted it—it hit me hard. The isolation, the sound of the water, it felt so real.” Filming that scene, perched on a platform above a rushing river, was physically taxing, with Bana recalling the “incredibly noisy” conditions. The emotional toll was amplified by Neill’s performance, which Bana praised as “a masterclass in vulnerability.”
Fans on X are buzzing, with @UntamedFanatic posting, “That finale twist broke me—Bana’s reaction makes it even wilder!” The series, which hit 26.1 million views in its second week, has an 82% Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics lauding its atmospheric tension. Bana’s admission adds a layer of authenticity, hinting at the cast’s immersion in the story. As Untamed gears up for Season 2, set in a new national park, the finale’s impact promises to shape Turner’s arc.
This twist underscores Untamed’s bold narrative risks, blending personal betrayal with natural grandeur. For Bana, it’s a career highlight, though he admits, “It’s stuck with me—haunting isn’t the half of it.” As viewers dissect the scene, the question lingers: how will this darkness define Turner’s future? The answer awaits in the wilds of Season 2.
