‘The Secret of the River’ (2024) Netflix Series Review - Dark Waters Run Deep in this Gripping Drama

"The Secret of the River" (2024), directed by Ernesto Contreras, delves into the moody, unsettling atmosphere of a small Mexican town where secrets are buried deeper than the river itself. This Netflix series blends a sense of supernatural eeriness with grounded, emotional drama, following a troubled investigative journalist, played with intensity by Diego Calva, who returns to his hometown after years away. He’s driven to uncover the truth behind his own family’s dark past, and as he digs deeper, the river—almost a character in itself—becomes the focal point of danger, mystery, and revelation.

The show’s cinematography, handled masterfully by César Gutiérrez Miranda, uses the river as a visual motif throughout, creating an almost tactile sense of foreboding. The setting itself is gorgeously shot, with misty mornings and shadow-filled nights adding to the feeling of something lurking just beneath the surface. Yet the beauty of the natural surroundings is sharply contrasted with the deep emotional scars that haunt the town’s residents.

The performances stand out, with Calva giving a magnetic turn as the lead. His portrayal of a man both haunted and determined gives the series its emotional core. Frida Sofía Cruz Salinas and Mercedes Hernández also deliver impressive performances, grounding the sometimes surreal storyline in very human emotions. The show excels in its quiet moments, where character interactions reveal more than any grand plot twist could.

The writing is tight, particularly in the way it balances the slow-burn mystery with personal drama. It doesn’t rush to answers, instead letting the tension simmer, which can be both a strength and a slight drawback. The soundtrack, composed by Gustavo Reyes and Andrés Sánchez, adds to the ominous atmosphere without overpowering the subtle dread that builds episode by episode.

One of the series' strongest elements is how it ties the town’s mythology to real human trauma. The river is not just a geographical feature; it’s a metaphor for the memories, guilt, and secrets that the characters try to suppress. As the series progresses, you realize that the water is as much a threat as the people who live by it. There's a clever subtext running through each episode about how past traumas are never truly washed away—they always resurface.

The series, while atmospheric and engaging, does occasionally lose pace. There are moments when the slow-burn approach becomes too slow, particularly in the middle episodes, which might frustrate viewers looking for a more straightforward thriller. At times, it feels like the show’s ambition to build a deep psychological mystery means that some plot threads get drawn out longer than necessary.

Additionally, some of the supporting characters, while well-acted, don’t receive as much depth or development as they could have. A few are introduced with great potential but aren’t given the screen time to fully realize their arcs, leaving a few interactions feeling somewhat underexplored by the series’ end.

Overall, The Secret of the River is a compelling blend of supernatural suspense and emotional drama that will appeal to fans of slow-burn mysteries. It’s a beautifully shot series with strong performances and a narrative that, while occasionally sluggish, ultimately delivers a satisfying emotional punch. If you enjoy stories where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, this Mexican drama will likely capture your attention and hold it, like the river itself, with a quiet, insistent pull.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times