The Asunta Case

Good acting. Everyone did good in acting their roles that I was almost convinced they were real people. Almost. The side stories of the lives of those involved in the investigation were added for the narrative flow but I think they weren't necessary at all. They didn't have anything to do with the case. Like Christina's fertility issue and the judge's father's situation. Those side stories, for me, were the reason why the documentary felt fictional. Because in real documentaries, no one shows the personal life of investigators involved in the case. I was quite hooked to the story but it was very upsetting in the end because I still feel like I wasted my time on an unresolved case. The parents were very suspicious, yes. But I still don't know what really happened and that is just so upsetting. I don't know if the kid was given justice or not.

I'm Spaniard so I really wanted to watch this mini series based on a true crime case. I love to support everything coming from my country. The cast is great, the crime was outrageous but the execution of this series is just so, so. It's just a copy paste of the original documentary and does not add anything new.

First, there is a memorable acting masterclass coming from the mother, that's all. Nothing else. I mean, it could have been a masterpiece but it is not. Several good actors in, so why not to make shine all of them?....

Second, the execution is mostly poor. The camera work is far from other great productions coming from Netflix. Locations are just ok. Nothing remarkable.

Third, the storyline and some of the invented fictional characters are terrible. They try to imitate "Galician accent" and it is embarrassing. Why not to hire real people from Galicia? For example, the great Luis Zahera is one of the most talented and loved ones in Spain. A big letdown.

Last, there are other great series based on Spaniard true crimes like "El cuerpo en llamas", "Antidisturbios" and "Crims" from Carles Porta. Far superior all of them and more accurate, realistic and interesting than this copy paste.

I thought this was a particularly well acted, well written script. The Spanish actors are all very seasoned, and really capture, from everything I can tell the essence of the real people who were involved in the situation.

Particularly the mother who plays Rosario, who does a remarkable job in portraying a confused, drama laden, scatterbrained, somewhat mentally unstable, overwrought, calculated, possible killer. Superb acting.

I think the way the story was laid out, woven together, was very effective. It's also an excellent view into the Spanish judicial system. We Americans often think our approach to justice in these cases, as much different than in Europe, so it's interesting to see their similarities.

I don't watch anything below 7.0, and gave this a 8.0 with the hopes it'll elevate the rating because I think this was very well crafted and solid piece that's won't waste your time.

Rosario and Alfonso report that their adopted Chinese daughter Asunta, 12, has vanished, a Police search begins, and her body is tragically found, her parents are suspected of conspiring in her death.

First off, I had no idea this was based on an actual case, it goes to some pretty dark and bleak places.

Let's be honest, this is a very, very watchable series, but please take my advice, watch it in its original, Spanish form, don't watch the English dubbed version, the voiceovers make it virtually unbearable, Rosario sounds as if she's in a constant state of surprise.

Once I switched it, it came to life, and I could truly appreciate the acting, especially the characterisation of Rosario, The Judge is such an interesting character, you'll wonder if he's right, or simply got an axe to grind, by episode 5, you'll have the answer.

Well paced and never dull, it doesn't lull at any point, one of those shows you'll want to binge watch over a night or two.

Episode five was the most surprising of all, I watched with my jaw open, it was the high point.

8/10.

Great true crimes series! And please you have to watch it in the original version with subtitles, otherwise it won't work at all.

With deep characters that generate a lot of interest, the cast is excellent!. The one who stands out above all of them is the wonderful and in Spain well-known actress Candela Peña, in the role of the unstable mother. It is is worth watching just to see her in the role of Rosario Porto. And of course I must also mention the role of Tristán Ulloa, really great in the role of the father, Alfonso Basterra.

The series does not invent anything and it is very well detailed, it is very intriguing and there is a lot of tension. Really gripping. This is a case that filled hours of discussions and that shocked Spanish society, the terrifying and tragic murder of Asunta. What really happened the night she disappeared?

The Judge Malvar, played by the great actor Javier Gutiérrez, is very obsessed with having the winning hand. Without caring if along the way he exposes those prosecuted to a process without all the guarantees. His attitude reaches the point that leads us to wonder if all judges are like that, and if victory and the desire to win are the only things that matter.

Another interesting thing is the media's role in this entire mess. Whether or not you believe the outcome of this case, we cannot deny the role of the media sensationalizing this horrible case, which, at its core, is of a young girl's tragic murder. It definitely makes you think and ask yourself whether the people who are supposed to protect and care for the general public really have our best interests in mind.

You shouldn't miss this one, with a sensational cast of actors, a true crime story told accurately and a tragic and powerful drama and mysterious thriller.