A Netflix crime drama full of twists and a masterful plot to say the least: Iron Reign is binge-watching!
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| Image Credit: Netflix |
Iron Reign, is much more than a simple crime/thriller series: it is a total immersion in the beating heart of organized crime in the port of Barcelona, but also an adrenaline-filled and intricate family drama, a reflection on patriarchy and masculinity, an intense portrait of power and its internal struggles. Created by Lluís Quílez and available for streaming on Netflix starting March 15, 2024, this television product transports viewers to a dark and dangerous world, where power and corruption reign supreme. Powerful plot, solid direction, and surprising plot make Iron Reign one of the titles in the catalog to choose for an evening of intense binge-watching.
Iron Reign is a structured and complex crime
The plot revolves around the figure of Joaquín Manchado, played masterfully by Eduard Fernández. Joaquín is the undisputed master of the port of Barcelona, a man whose name makes even the bravest and most ambitious tremble. With his iron fist and his sharp mind, he controls every aspect of the drug trade that flows through his clutches, manipulating people and events according to his wishes. But Joaquín's power is threatened and his days may be numbered when a new shipment of drugs mysteriously disappears in transit, putting not only his empire but his very life at risk. What follows is an epic odyssey of intrigue, betrayal, and violence, as Joaquín fights to defend what he built with blood, sweat, and tears.
One of the most surprising elements of Iron Reign is its ability to transform the port of Barcelona into an independent and interdependent character, a creature in itself that communicates and interacts with the other protagonists of the series. The towering cranes, containers, and sinister corridors become the perfect stage for this contemporary odyssey, adding an element of fascination and mystery to the story.
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| Image Credit: Netflix |
What importantly defines this series are its characters. Each member of the Manchado family is a work of art in their own right, with their own secrets, ambitions, and personal demons. Joaquín is the authoritarian patriarch, always one step ahead of his enemies but haunted by the ghosts of his past. Her daughter Rocío, played with skill by Natalia de Molina, is a strong and determined woman, willing to do anything to protect her family. And then there is Ricardo, the rebellious and impulsive son, played with intensity by Enric Auquer, whose desire for redemption often leads him down dark and dangerous paths.
But Iron Reign, like its splendid American counterpart Succession, is not just a series about a crime family. It is also a profound reflection on power dynamics and the consequences of our actions. Through the stories of its characters, the series explores universal themes such as greed, revenge, and the desire for redemption, offering viewers a penetrating look into the dark heart of the human soul. It seems fascinating to explore the dark heart of the protagonists, each with a different abyss and a greater ambition than the other, a reason to seek redemption and the highest position within the family hierarchy.
The interpretations, together with the splendid photography, build the epic and noir framework of this thriller work with pathos and narrative strength. Iron Reign does not resemble any other crime film currently distributed on Netflix: it has a unique depth, and cinematography worthy of Michael Bay's blockbusters but the noir atmosphere of the best Frank Capra. A binge-watching of high artistic and visual quality, perfectly immersed in the living and vibrant city of Barcelona, in a dark and changing Catalonia far from the postcard image distributed by the mainstream.
