Crystal Cuckoo: A New Spanish Thriller on Netflix

Crystal Cuckoo is a fresh entry in the “small town with secrets” genre, bringing a unique twist to its protagonist’s arrival in this mysterious village. But does her journey have a real connection to the secrets she seeks?

Opening shot: A picturesque view of the Spanish countryside.

Key points: In 2005, Miguel Ferrer (Alex Garcia) emerges from the woods, bloodied and shaken. His young son asks about the situation. “There was a fight at work,” he responds.

Fast forward to 2023, where Clara Merlo (Catalina Sopelana), a resident doctor, collapses while tending to a patient. Weeks later, she finds herself awake in a cardiac ICU, learning she’s had a heart transplant.

Backtracking to 2004, Miguel, a police officer in Jesu, heads to a local lake with his family and spots a fire across the water. He attempts to rescue a woman trapped inside a burning home but tragically fails. As Miguel and his partner Rafa (Ivan Massage) investigate, they uncover the complicated lives of the woman and her estranged husband, both battling addiction.

In 2023, Clara grows curious about her heart donor. Although her roommate reminds her that donors remain anonymous in Spain, she eventually discovers that her donor was a young man named Carlos, who died in a car accident.

Clara reaches out to Carlos’ mother, Marta (Itziar Ituno). Initially hesitant, Marta eventually invites Clara to learn about Carlos’ upbringing and to be present at the scattering of his ashes. When Clara arrives, Marta shows her a photo of her husband, Miguel, revealing that he disappeared years ago. Clara learns from Rafa that Miguel is actually missing, not dead.

Which show do you remember? Adapted by Jesús Mesas and Javier Andrés from Javier Castillo’s novel, Crystal Cuckoo can be compared to Broadchurch, another series that delves into small-town mysteries.

Our view: From the start, it’s evident that Clara’s heart transplant serves mainly as a narrative device to bring her to Jesu, setting the stage for the intrigue surrounding the 2004 fire, Miguel’s mysterious disappearance in 2005, and the unsettling case of a missing baby just after Clara arrives in 2023.

The time shifts can feel a bit jarring at first, but they start to make sense as we learn more about the characters and their histories. It seems that the timeline will dive deeper than 2005 to uncover the events leading up to the fire Miguel was investigating.

More clarity is required to fully connect the dots between the fire, Miguel’s vanishing act, and the baby’s disappearance. There’s definitely more to unravel.

Featured performance: Catalina Sopelana captures Clara’s curiosity and determination well, though I sometimes wish her behavior matched her qualifications as a doctor.

Sex and skin: None to mention.

Parting shot: A woman is heard calling for help when she realizes someone has taken her baby.

Sleeper Star: Rafa, portrayed by Ivan Massage, seems to hold more knowledge regarding the fire and the fate of his partner Miguel than he reveals.

The most pilot-like line: “I don’t know why,” but Radiohead’s “Creep” plays as Clara drives into Jesu. Is she really listening to music from ages ago? What does it have to do with her journey?

Our take: Crystal Cuckoo is worth a watch. It’s a compelling mystery thriller that, hopefully, will weave its various threads together soon.