In just a few days, La Palma has burst onto Netflix, positioning itself as one of the most-watched productions of the moment. This four-episode miniseries is inspired by a recent real event: the 2021 volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma, a disaster that marked Spain and is now brought to fiction by Norway (yes, we don’t understand it either) with a free but emotionally charged approach.
Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming, entertainment and deals right in your inbox.
Subscribe (it's FREE) ►Directed by Martin Sundland and filmed on the islands of La Palma and Tenerife, the series spectacularly recreates how a devastating eruption challenges the island’s inhabitants. The plot follows a Norwegian family on vacation who, along with a young Spanish scientist, struggle to survive the disaster. But don’t think we’re dealing with a disaster fiction as authentic as J.A. Bayona’s The Impossible, rather it is a free portrayal of the challenges of evacuation, institutional chaos, and the collective fear of the moment.
A Nightmare Portrayed with Passion
Despite being a VERY free fiction, the script incorporates well-remembered elements of the drama experienced in 2021, from emergency evacuations to the personal and material consequences of an unprecedented eruption. Additionally, its setting in real locations and its careful production manage to transport the viewer to the heart of the catastrophe. The images of the lava rivers and volcanic explosions, supported by striking visual effects, enhance the feeling of witnessing a real and recent event.
Although it has been debated whether this type of stories can influence the tourist perception of the island, La Palma also highlights its natural and cultural beauty. Places like La Caldera de Taburiente, Tazacorte, or Santa Cruz de La Palma appear as settings in the plot, reminding us that, beyond the tragedy, the island remains a unique and special place.
With a total duration that does not exceed four hours, La Palma is an immersive experience and perfect for those looking for a series that keeps them glued to the screen. However, take everything they explain with a grain of salt… as unfortunately there is more fiction than reality in this story.
