Perhaps it is unnecessary to summarize the plot of a series based on a trilogy of novels that has sold more than three million copies worldwide. But any adaptation must have a life of its own and be able to attract not only the audience that has already won and knows the story, but also those who know nothing about its origins. Red Queen, Amazon Prime Video's latest premiere, has it easy at this point because the story is easy to understand whether you know Juan Gómez-Jurado's novels or not. The first chapter introduces its protagonists: on the one hand, Antonia Scott, the most intelligent person in the world, tormented, suicidal and with difficulties in social relationships; on the other hand, Jon Gutiérrez, a clever Basque policeman, temperamental and left behind by everything. The man in charge of a secret government program turns to Scott and Gutiérrez, so different in appearance and character, to investigate an extraordinary case: the brutal murder of a powerful businesswoman's son and the kidnapping of the man's daughter. richest in Spain, two crimes that are linked.
More information
From then on, Red Queen wants to be many things and is unable to define herself. There are two of the hottest actors, Vicky Luengo and Hovik Keuchkerian, whose physique fits very well with what you can expect from the characters. But he wastes it on fake dialogue that might work in a novel but not with flesh-and-blood characters. There's nothing that turns a viewer off more from a show or movie than realizing that no one talks like that in real life, and that happens all the time in Red Queen. Nobody speaks only through jokes and jokes like Jon Gutiérrez. “We're not characters from a novel,” says Antonia Scott at one point in the final episode of this first season (it doesn't seem unreasonable to assume that there will be further seasons, given the themes and characters embedded in it) . episodes). Unless they're characters from a novel, as Scott claims, they look a lot like one.
Hovik Keuchkerian and Vicky Luengo, in a picture from “Red Queen”. Andre Paduano
The villain Ezequiel, played by Nacho Fresneda, also seems like a character from a novel, who creates a strange game of cat and mouse with the investigators, which sometimes leads him to approach them, only to let them escape later and continue playing like that. Of course, the villain also has his own twist.
Red Queen is a series in search of tone. At times she is playful, with the intention of going off track and looking for shocking images and surreal moments to penetrate Antonia's privileged head. In these cases it is essential to remember references such as the Hannibal or Sherlock series. She tries hard not to take herself seriously, but can't help but do it from time to time. In the end, the closer it stays to what it really is, a sum of clichés from the thriller genre, the better it works. It tries not to be what it is, a light and formulaic entertainment whose plot easily captivates and invites you to follow until the end. It should be noted that it is no longer than seven episodes, more than enough to already fall into some repetition that would be difficult to digest if it were longer. In a way, it manages to move forward within its own trap and take the viewer to the end despite its script and sound problems.
Without a doubt, “Red Queen” will be a commercial success and will provide the expected entertainment. But in a market so saturated with television products, finding that distinctive piece that will make it stick in our minds is lacking.
Vicky Luengo is Antonia Scott in Red Queen.
You can follow EL PAÍS Television on X or sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
Get the TV newsletter
All the latest news from broadcasters and platforms, with interviews, news and analyses, as well as recommendations and reviews from our journalists
LOG IN
Subscribe to continue reading
Read without limits
_