Netflix’s Untamed Review: A Moody Murder Mystery Set in Yosemite

Untamed is a six-episode drama series that premiered on Netflix on July 17, 2025. Set in Yosemite National Park, the story follows a mysterious death that leads to a deeper investigation. Eric Bana plays a park special agent, while Sam Neill stars as the chief ranger.

Story of Untamed 

The show kicks off with a jarring scene: two rock climbers are halfway up El Capitan when a woman’s body suddenly plummets past them, still attached to a climbing rope. It doesn’t take long to realize she didn’t fall by accident — a bullet wound in her leg says otherwise.

Kyle Turner, a National Park Service special agent played by Eric Bana, thought he had left his past behind. But a new case in Yosemite threatens to drag it all back. He’s teamed up with rookie ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), whose own past isn’t exactly clean. Together, they’re forced to navigate a crime that feels far too personal.

Cast of Untamed 

One of the strongest points of Untamed is its cast. Eric Bana plays Turner like a man on the edge — someone who’s only alive when he’s chasing a case. The death of his young daughter years ago ripped apart his life and his marriage to Jill (played by Rosemarie DeWitt). You feel that grief in every scene they share — not overdone, just raw and real.

Sam Neill plays Chief Ranger Paul Souter, a steady presence who stands by Turner as things spiral. Meanwhile, Wilson Bethel is excellent as Shane Maguire, the Wildlife Officer whose role in the case becomes more suspicious when the deeper Turner digs.

Everyone in this show is running from something — and the wilderness has a way of catching up with them.

The Bright Side of Untamed

Yosemite doesn’t just sit in the background — it breathes through every scene. It’s massive, raw, and unpredictable. It’s vast and untamed, a place that doesn’t care who you are. Out there, it’s easy to forget the world — and just as easy to feel forgotten. That quiet emptiness seeps into the show’s mood.But what sticks even more is the emotion beneath it all. These aren’t just people chasing a killer — they’re running from something inside themselves.Turner and Jill’s story, Vasquez’s past, and the weight of unresolved trauma all feel believable. It’s not just about solving a murder — it’s about people trying to survive the pain they carry.

Weak Spots of Untamed 

As the story moves forward, things get messy. Plot threads start to tangle. By the time you hit episode five, things start to feel a little rushed. There are just too many twists squeezed into too short a space. Some plot turns come off as a bit too neat — especially the final reveal, which doesn’t hit as hard as it should.

Still, it’s worth the watch. The characters are solid — it’s just that the story stumbles here and there. 

The Verdict

If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with a strong emotional payoff, Untamed is a solid pick. It’s not groundbreaking, but it has heart — and some standout performances that carry it through the rougher patches.

You probably won’t remember every detail of the plot. But you’ll remember the way Eric Bana quietly unravels on screen, or the scenes where DeWitt says everything without saying much at all. That’s the kind of thing that sticks.

Quick Info of Untamed