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:
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Institutional corruption
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PTSD and unresolved grief
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Environmental preservation vs. exploitation
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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
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Eric Bana as Kyle Turner: Stoic, haunted, determined to uncover the truth
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Sam Neill as Paul Souter: Turner’s mentor and the park’s head ranger
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Rosemarie DeWitt as Jill Bodwin: Turner’s estranged ex-wife
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Lily Santiago as Naya Vasquez: A rookie ranger with her own hidden past
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Wilson Bethel as Shane Maguire: A former Army Ranger now patrolling the backcountry
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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:
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Gorgeous cinematography that captures the tension of isolation
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Strong performances, particularly from Bana and Neill
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A fresh setting: crime drama meets national park noir
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Subtle, character-driven storytelling
Cons:
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Pacing is deliberately slow — not for action-thriller fans
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Some plot elements feel familiar or underdeveloped
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Filming outside Yosemite annoyed die-hard nature purists
🔥 Audience & Critical Response
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Rotten Tomatoes: 80% critics score, 71% audience score
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The Guardian called it: “visually stunning yet overly familiar.”
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Reddit reactions were mixed, with some praising its tone and others calling it “predictable.”
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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:
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Gritty, slow-burn thrillers
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Natural settings as narrative tools
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Complex, emotionally flawed characters
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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.
