Maledictions – Series Review | Netflix

MALEDICTIONS on Netflix is an Argentinian thriller series (org. title: Las maldiciones) taking place in northern Argentina. Here, the governor’s right-hand man kidnaps his daughter during a crucial vote on a lithium exploitation bill. Now the race against time exposes the true nature of power. Read our Maledictions series review here!

MALEDICTIONS is a new Netflix series from Argentina (org. title: Las maldiciones) with just three episodes. This means the series plays like a tightly wound feature film, despite being split into three forty-minute episodes.

Its compact structure makes it easy to binge in one sitting, and narratively, it feels much closer to a standalone movie than the start of an extended series.

Still, given the richness of its setup and the nature of the shadowy world of politics, corruption, and betrayal, it could be built upon. It wouldn’t be surprising if Netflix chose to revisit these characters in the future.

Continue reading our Maledictions series review below. Find all three episodes on Netflix from September 12. 2025.

Power, Family, and Betrayal

At the center of the Maledictions story is Governor Fernando Rovira (Leonardo Sbaraglia). He is determined to stop Congress from passing a bill that would block him from exploiting local lithium reserves.

With corporate backers hovering in the background, eager for profits, the pressure is on. Also, his iron-willed mother (Alejandra Flechner) drives him forward like her own personal pawn in the political game of chess.

Everything changes when Rovira’s 12-year-old daughter Zoe (Francesca Varela) disappears. She’s last seen in the car of Román Sabaté (Gustavo Bassani), who is none other than Rovira’s trusted right-hand man.

Soon, an eerie suspicion turns into certainty: Román has kidnapped Zoe and is using her as leverage to force the governor’s hand. What begins as a political battle transforms into a deeply personal nightmare.

The Governor must decide whether to give in, retaliate, or gamble everything on maintaining control.

A Past That Refuses to Stay Buried

The second episode shifts the perspective entirely, transporting us twelve years into the past. Here, we see how Román first entered Rovira’s circle, back when he was still married to Lucrecia (Monna Antonopoulos).

These flashbacks provide crucial insight into the relationships that now drive the present conflict.

By the time we return to Zoe’s kidnapping, the audience understands the deeper betrayals that make every choice Rovira faces far more complicated than they first appear.

Straightforward but Resonant

Maledictions is not an overly twist-heavy thriller, nor does it deliver shocking revelations at every turn. Instead, it thrives on tension, atmosphere, and the slow revelation of just how compromised its characters are.

Fortunately, it never shies away from showing how easily political elites discard the people around them when power is at stake.

With strong performances across the board, the series feels grounded and believable, even in its most heightened moments. Especially the portrayals of key characters by Leonardo Sbaraglia, Gustavo Bassani, and Alejandra Flechner.

Also, you can look forward to cameos from familiar Argentine actors like Osmar Núñez, César Bordón, María Ucedo, and Nazareno Casero. All of whom add extra weight to the drama and heighten the intensity.

Watch Maledictions on Netflix now!

Written originally by Claudia Piñeiro—already known for exploring this arena in The Kingdom—the story dives deep into how private lives and political decisions intertwine. Adapted for Netflix by Daniel Burman (Lost Embrace).

If you’re expecting a sprawling political saga, this won’t deliver that. But if you’re in the mood for a sharp, compact political thriller where personal lives are destroyed in the pursuit of power, Maledictions should satisfy.

It’s a story of corruption, betrayal, and manipulation that feels eerily relevant in today’s climate. One that may serve to remind us that behind every law and every vote, there’s always a hidden agenda.

Maledictions premieres on Netflix on September 12, 2025.

Details

Creator: Daniel Burman
Cast: Leonardo Sbaraglia, Gustavo Bassani, Alejandra Flechner, Mónica Antonópulos, Francesca Resua