Untamed (2025): A Slow-Burn Thriller Set Deep in the Wild
Eric Bana returns to the screen in Untamed, a six-episode Netflix miniseries released on July 17, 2025, blending murder mystery, rugged landscapes, and emotional depth. The series explores the often-overlooked world of the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) of the U.S. National Park Service — a real unit tasked with solving serious crimes in America’s most beautiful, yet isolated, regions.
🧭 The Plot: One Death, Many Secrets
The story begins with the mysterious death of a woman who falls from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. While initially deemed accidental, ISB agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana) suspects foul play. As he digs deeper, buried truths emerge — about the park, the people who protect it, and Turner’s own fractured past.
The series tackles:
Institutional corruption
PTSD and unresolved grief
Environmental preservation vs. exploitation
The psychological toll of law enforcement in the wild
Despite the Yosemite setting, much of Untamed was actually filmed in remote parts of British Columbia, Canada, a detail that’s drawn some backlash from real-life park officials and fans of authenticity.
🎭 Cast & Characters
Eric Bana as Kyle Turner: Stoic, haunted, determined to uncover the truth
Sam Neill as Paul Souter: Turner’s mentor and the park’s head ranger
Rosemarie DeWitt as Jill Bodwin: Turner’s estranged ex-wife
Lily Santiago as Naya Vasquez: A rookie ranger with her own hidden past
Wilson Bethel as Shane Maguire: A former Army Ranger now patrolling the backcountry
Raoul Trujillo and William S. Smillie round out the supporting cast
Bana, also executive producer, worked with actual ISB agents to bring authenticity to his role — even if, as he joked, he “never got to see a bear.”
🎬 Is It Worth Watching?
Pros:
Gorgeous cinematography that captures the tension of isolation
Strong performances, particularly from Bana and Neill
A fresh setting: crime drama meets national park noir
Subtle, character-driven storytelling
Cons:
Pacing is deliberately slow — not for action-thriller fans
Some plot elements feel familiar or underdeveloped
Filming outside Yosemite annoyed die-hard nature purists
🔥 Audience & Critical Response
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% critics score, 71% audience score
The Guardian called it: “visually stunning yet overly familiar.”
Reddit reactions were mixed, with some praising its tone and others calling it “predictable.”
Elle highlighted the show’s emotional weight and “unexpected gut-punch finale.”
One key scene involving Paul Souter’s suicide stirred strong emotional reactions — a bold narrative choice that divided audiences.
🕵️ Will There Be a Season 2?
While Untamed was designed as a limited series, creators Mark and Elle Smith have hinted at more stories. A second season could follow Kyle Turner to another U.S. national park and feature a brand-new case — think True Detective, but in the woods.
Netflix has not confirmed a renewal as of now, but the door is open.
🎯 Final Verdict
If you enjoy:
Gritty, slow-burn thrillers
Natural settings as narrative tools
Complex, emotionally flawed characters
Series like Mare of Easttown, True Detective, or Wind River
…then Untamed should be on your watchlist.
📺 Streaming now on Netflix worldwide
💡 Fun fact: The Investigative Services Branch featured in the show is very real — a little-known federal agency with fewer than 40 agents patrolling 85 million acres of protected land.
