Untamed Review: Eric Bana shines in this gripping and atmospheric murder mystery set in Yosemite

Netflix's Untamed features strong performances

‘Untamed,’ directed jointly by Thomas, Neasa Hardiman, and Nick Murphy, was released on 17th July on Netflix and stars Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Lily Santiago.

A quiet storm in the wilderness

Set deep within the haunting terrains of Yosemite National Park, ‘Untamed’ is an absorbing, atmospheric mini-series that grips you quietly, yet firmly. With its slow-burn narrative and old-school charm, the show moves at a confident pace, pulling you into its layered characters and morally murky world. Though it operates within the familiar framework of a murder mystery, it distinguishes itself with its setting and mood—there’s a stillness that lingers, one that becomes as much a part of the story as its people. There are shades of ‘Mare of Easttown’ in Eric Bana’s portrayal of a weathered investigator, but ‘Untamed’ charts its own path, more introspective than explosive. Yosemite’s vast nothingness—its forests, silence, and hidden trails—doesn’t just provide a backdrop; it becomes a participant in the unfolding drama.

Death on the mountain

The plot centres around Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), an Investigative Services Branch agent with the National Parks Service. When a young woman falls to her death from the rocky mountains of the park, Turner senses something off and begins digging deeper—his instincts point toward murder. Helping him is Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), a newly posted rookie ranger, juggling work and single motherhood. Also present is Paul Soulter (Sam Neill), the affable and quietly shrewd chief park ranger who lends support in moments when Turner strays off protocol. As the investigation progresses, more figures emerge from the shadows—locals, rangers, visitors—each with secrets and motives. The mystery deepens slowly but surely, drawing Turner and Vasquez further into the heart of the park, where every rock and tree seems to hold a fragment of the truth.

A story that takes its time—and rewards it

‘Untamed’ isn’t built for easy consumption—it asks you to sit with its silences, to look beyond what’s being said. Several storylines crisscross the core murder case: Turner’s unresolved trauma of losing his son Caleb, his strained relationship with ex-wife Jill (Rosemarie DeWitt), and his bond with Soulter and Naya. There's also the subtle tension between the park’s insular community and the outside world, and how nature itself becomes a force both healing and threatening. The cinematography captures the calm and cruelty of the wilderness in equal measure. Across six episodes of about 50 minutes each, the narrative never really lets up; the tension simmers, and the story keeps inching forward. Every detour, every moment of pause eventually loops back into the mystery, adding a layer you didn’t know you needed.

Rooted performances

Eric Bana is quietly compelling as Kyle Turner, wearing his grief like a second skin. His performance never shouts, never begs for empathy—it’s all in his stillness, his tired eyes, the way he clings to duty as a form of redemption. Sam Neill provides a welcome balance, infusing Paul Soulter with warmth and understated wisdom—his scenes with Bana are some of the most affecting in the series. Rosemarie DeWitt brings a soft ache to Jill, playing her as someone who has made peace with pain, even as it lurks just beneath the surface. But it’s Lily Santiago as Naya who truly shines—sharp, vulnerable, and slowly finding her rhythm in a world she initially resists. The ensemble plays beautifully off each other, and the restraint in their performances allows the emotional beats to land without melodrama.

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A restrained but rewarding watch

‘Untamed’ is the kind of series that doesn’t scream for attention—it trusts its audience to stay, to notice, to feel. While it ticks most boxes of a good mystery, there are moments where it feels a bit restrained, too hesitant to push the boundaries it sets for itself. A slightly longer runtime or a deeper dive into some subplots might have helped it land harder. Still, what it offers is substantial: a story that respects the intelligence of its viewers, characters that feel lived-in, and a world that’s both gorgeous and unforgiving. There’s a quiet sense of satisfaction as the final pieces fall into place—not because the mystery is groundbreaking, but because the journey through grief, guilt, and healing feels earned. In the end, ‘Untamed’ delivers what it promised: a taut, textured thriller with no loose ends and manages to close the final chapter with clarity.

Rating: 4/5