Prepare to lose sleep, because Netflix’s Untamed, a gripping six-part mystery thriller that premiered on July 17, 2025, is set to redefine your binge-watching experience. Set against the breathtaking yet treacherous backdrop of Yosemite National Park, this character-driven drama plunges viewers into a world where stunning vistas hide chilling secrets, and a brutal murder unravels the fragile balance between man and nature. Led by Eric Bana as special agent Kyle Turner, Untamed weaves a harrowing tale of crime, guilt, and buried pasts that will leave you breathless. With a stellar cast, masterful storytelling, and a setting that’s as captivating as it is menacing, Untamed is poised to be your next obsession. Buckle up for a journey into the wild heart of Yosemite, where dark truths lurk just beyond the trees.
A Murder in the Wilderness
Untamed thrusts viewers into the vast, untamed expanse of Yosemite National Park, where granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and sprawling forests conceal a darker reality. The series, created by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant, American Primeval) and Elle Smith (The Marsh King’s Daughter), centers on Kyle Turner (Eric Bana), a seasoned special agent in the National Parks Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB). Tasked with enforcing human law in nature’s lawless wilderness, Turner is called to investigate a brutal death initially thought to be an accident—a woman’s fall from El Capitan. But as he digs deeper, alongside rookie ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), Turner uncovers a web of secrets that ties the crime to Yosemite’s shadowy underbelly and his own haunted past.
The official synopsis describes Untamed as a “character-driven mystery-thriller” that follows Turner’s collision course with “dark secrets within the park, and in his own past.” Co-showrunner Mark L. Smith told Tudum, “Everyone thinks of Yosemite as this beautiful place with all the vistas and all the scenery, but we were trying to touch on the dangers that are just beyond that. I love stripping all the noise and distractions and focus on pure storytelling—the kind that forces you to confront the wildness inside every character.” This raw approach, paired with the show’s isolated setting, creates a claustrophobic tension that echoes True Detective and Ozark, but with a unique blend of natural beauty and human darkness.
Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, with locations like Chip Kerr Park standing in for Yosemite’s rugged terrain, Untamed captures the park’s grandeur while highlighting its perils. Elle Smith emphasized the perspective of Naya Vasquez, noting, “Because Vasquez is new to the park, we get to see the park through her eyes. We get to understand what this job is, and see the beauty of the park, but also the dangers.” The trailer, released in July 2025, showcases vertigo-inducing shots of El Capitan, eerie caves, and tense encounters, hinting at a killer who knows Yosemite as well as Turner does. With only 3–4% of the park’s nearly one million acres explored by visitors, as Elle Smith told Advnture, Yosemite becomes a character in itself—a vast, unforgiving wilderness where secrets can hide forever.
A Stellar Cast Brings Depth to the Drama
Untamed boasts a powerhouse ensemble that elevates its gripping narrative. Eric Bana, known for Troy and Dirty John, delivers a commanding performance as Kyle Turner, a haunted agent wrestling with grief from an unresolved past case. Co-showrunner Elle Smith told Tudum, “What we’re seeing happen in real time is the grief that he’s going through, but also what he can do for this case, and how he can serve her family by solving it.” Bana, also an executive producer, brings a raw intensity to Turner, whose investigation becomes a personal reckoning.
Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) plays Paul Souter, Yosemite’s chief park ranger and Turner’s longtime friend, whose stern demeanor hides potential secrets. Neill’s character, described by Netflix Tudum as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, navigates both crime and bureaucracy, but fans speculate there’s more to Souter than meets the eye. Rosemarie DeWitt (La La Land) portrays Jill Bodwin, Turner’s ex-wife and a former park counselor, whose complicated history with him binds them through shared trauma. Lily Santiago (La Brea) shines as Naya Vasquez, an ambitious Los Angeles cop new to Yosemite, bringing big-city homicide skills to a distinctly human crime. Wilson Bethel (Daredevil) rounds out the core cast as Shane Maguire, a former army ranger turned wildlife management officer, a loner who prefers the wilderness but follows his own rules. Supporting players include William Smillie as veteran ranger Bruce Milch and Ezra Franky in an undisclosed role, adding depth to the park’s tight-knit community.
The cast’s chemistry, combined with the Smiths’ writing, creates a narrative that’s as much about personal demons as it is about solving a murder. Mark L. Smith, whose credits include The Revenant and Twisters, told Netflix Junkie, “We wanted to strip away all the cheats and modern tools that people can use. It really gets down to the character and what they can find within themselves.” This focus on flawed, complex characters sets Untamed apart, making it a must-watch for fans of character-driven thrillers.
Uncovering Yosemite’s Dark Side
Yosemite National Park, with its iconic Half Dome and El Capitan, is celebrated for its beauty, attracting four million visitors annually. Yet, Untamed reveals its darker side, rooted in a history of violence—its name, derived from a term meaning “they are killers,” reflects a misunderstood native legacy. The series leans into this tension, portraying Yosemite as a place where serenity masks danger, from its treacherous cliffs to its chilling legends of curses and ghosts. The trailer, praised by Mashable for making El Capitan “terrifying since Free Solo,” features claustrophobic cave scenes and rappelling shots that amplify the stakes. A line from Paul Souter in the trailer—“We have close to a million acres of wilderness. That’s a lot of ground to cover—and a lot of places to hide”—underscores the park’s vastness as a haven for secrets.
The investigation begins with a woman’s death, initially deemed an accident, but Turner’s instincts suggest foul play. As he and Vasquez delve deeper, they uncover connections to other potential killings, with the trailer hinting at a killer who blends into the park’s wilds. Turner’s past, including a case he failed to resolve, haunts him, intertwining with the current mystery. The Viewer’s Perspective described Untamed as “not just a whodunit” but a story about “grief, guilt, and what happens when the wildness around you mirrors the chaos inside.” This psychological depth, paired with heart-pounding suspense, promises jaw-dropping twists that will keep viewers guessing until the final episode.
The Internet’s Frenzy and Critical Buzz
Since its announcement in June 2024, Untamed has generated massive excitement online. Posts on X, like @NetflixTudum’s July 9, 2025, tease—“Everyone thinks of Yosemite as this beautiful place, but we were trying to touch on the dangers just beyond that”—sparked fan reactions, with comments like “Eric Bana in a thriller? I’m IN! 😱” and “Yosemite’s secrets got me hooked already! 🔥” BDisgusting’s July 8 post about the trailer fueled further buzz, with fans praising the “eerie vibe” and “stellar cast.” The series’ rapid rise to Netflix’s top charts post-premiere, as noted by HELLO!, confirms its status as a summer hit.
Critics have lauded Untamed for its blend of suspense and emotional depth, though some note its intense tone may not suit all viewers. Good Housekeeping called it “gripping” and “full of strong characters and dark secrets,” while CBR compared it to Yellowstone and Ozark for its “dark narratives against nature’s unassuming backdrop.” The show’s production, backed by Warner Bros. Television, John Wells Productions, and Escape Artists, ensures high-quality storytelling, with Bana’s executive producer role adding authenticity. Filming in Vancouver’s rugged landscapes enhances the series’ visceral feel, making Yosemite’s beauty both a lure and a threat.
A Binge-Worthy Obsession
Untamed’s six hour-long episodes, all available on Netflix since July 17, 2025, are designed for a single-weekend binge. The series’ compact format, as Parade noted, appeals to viewers seeking a thrilling yet contained story. While no word has surfaced on a second season, the show’s critical and audience reception suggests potential for more, especially with unresolved threads in Turner’s past. Mark L. Smith’s vision of “stripping away the noise” delivers a narrative that’s raw, intense, and deeply human, forcing characters to confront their inner wildness.
For fans of True Detective or Outer Range, Untamed scratches the same itch, blending crime, mystery, and psychological drama in a setting that’s both majestic and merciless. The trailer’s chilling question—“What was she running from?”—sets the stage for a story that’s as much about unraveling a man as solving a crime. Widelensnews warned, “Prepare yourself for a binge-watch like no other—once you start, you won’t be able to look away.”
Dive Into the Wild
As Untamed dominates Netflix’s charts, it invites viewers to explore Yosemite’s hidden terrors and the fractured souls within it. Rewatch the trailer on Netflix’s YouTube channel, join the conversation on X, or stream all six episodes to uncover the secrets yourself. Support the show by sharing your reactions online or exploring Yosemite’s real-life beauty—while staying mindful of its dangers. Untamed is more than a thriller; it’s a haunting journey into the wild, where the darkest secrets lie not just in the forest, but in the human heart. Your next obsession starts here—don’t miss it!
