'Elite': 5 best plotlines from Netflix's Spanish thriller series
Contains spoilers for 'Elite' show
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The epic showdown at Las Encinas is about to begin as Netflix's hit series Elite returns for its final season on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Since its debut in 2018, this Spanish crime drama has captivated audiences with its intricate stories of three scholarship students from modest backgrounds navigating the treacherous world of a prestigious high school ruled by their affluent peers.
Directed by Darío Madrona and Carlos Montero, and featuring a stellar cast including Omar Ayuso, Itzan Escamilla, Mina El Hammani, Miguel Bernardeau, Arón Piper, Claudia Salas, Valentina Zenere, André Lamoglia, Georgina Amorós, and Elisabet Gelabert, 'Elite' explores themes of corruption, secrets, revenge, and desire.
As the series draws to a close, fans can anticipate a gripping and dramatic culmination of the intricate relationships and conflicts that have defined Elite from the very beginning.
In anticipation of the final season, let's delve into the five best puzzled but awesome plotlines that have made 'Elite' a standout show on Netflix.
1. 'Elite' Season 1: The murder that changed everything
At the end of Season 1, it's revealed that Polo was responsible for Marina's death, implicating Carla and Christian, who witnessed the aftermath. To protect Polo and uphold the 'rich kids' pact,' Carla coerces both Christian and Polo into silence.
Marina, the daughter of Las Encinas' wealthiest family, was a pivotal character who granted Samuel, Nadia, and Christian access to the opulent world of Guzmán, Lucrecia, and the elite circle.
Marina's murder transformed Elite from a luxurious high school drama into a riveting murder mystery. Her death and the ensuing fallout ignited the central conflicts that drove the series.
The Season 1 finale kept audiences on the edge of their seats with the shocking revelation of the murderer, fueling anticipation and excitement for Season 2.
Although it appeared the truth was revealed by the end of Season 2, promotional trailers for the next season hinted at Polo's alleged murder, suggesting that the cycle of lies and cover-ups is far from over.
Marina's murder is the linchpin of Elite's ongoing drama, making it one of the series' most compelling plotlines.
2. Elite Season 2: Samuel’s disappearance revealed
In the season finale, titled 'Zero Hours Missing,' it’s revealed that Samuel and Guzmán had staged Samuel's disappearance.
Samuel convinced Guzmán that the only way to force Carla into a confession was to make her believe he was dead. Their plan succeeded when Carla, overwhelmed, decided to confess to the police.
Guzmán’s grandparents' house was searched, and the inspector discovered Samuel, who explained their scheme.
The inspector allowed the plan to proceed to identify Marina's real killer. Overcome with guilt, Carla then confessed her involvement in Marina's death to the police.
Feeling the pressure, Polo confessed everything to Cayetana, who then hid the murder weapon—a trophy—before the police could discover it.
Despite his arrest, Polo was confident that the absence of physical evidence would allow him to deny all accusations.
Samuel reappeared, claiming he had been lost in the woods with a dead cell phone, while Guzmán ended his friendship with Ander due to the betrayal.
3. Elite Season 3: A shocking new twist in Polo's death mystery
Throughout the season, we've seen glimpses of the night Polo falls to his death at the Teatro Barceló after the graduation party.
Before his fatal fall through a pre-cracked glass panel, Polo is stabbed in the chest with a broken champagne bottle in the bathroom.
In Episode 8, it’s revealed that Lu, drunk and enraged over losing her scholarship and her friends' expulsion, follows Polo into the bathroom.
Their heated argument culminates in Lu accidentally stabbing Polo in the heart with the broken bottleneck. Tragically, Polo dies before he can tell her that he plans to reinstate her scholarship and turn himself in.
Following Polo's death, the group decides to protect Lu from the consequences. Carla insists Polo wouldn’t want Lu's life ruined over a mistake, despite doubts about his true wishes. Samuel persuades everyone that they’ve all suffered enough and deserve to walk free.
To execute their murder pact, they all touch the bottleneck, spreading their fingerprints and complicating the evidence.
Despite witnesses seeing Lu follow Polo, the group's conflicting accusations create enough confusion to ensure they all leave the club together, free.
4. Elite Season 5: Samuel's fatal accident shakes the core of Elite
In Season 5, Episode 4, Armando’s body resurfaces in the lake and is discovered by Omar, Samuel’s best friend.
After a brief debate, Samuel contacts the police, who then shift their focus to Benjamín, the school's director, due to his questionable connections with Armando.
Seeing Benjamín as a father figure, Samuel falsely confesses to the murder after Benjamín promises to protect him. However, Benjamín breaks his promise and fails to pay for Samuel’s bail.
The detective offers Samuel immunity if he provides evidence against Benjamín. Mencía then gives Samuel a SIM card containing incriminating information.
Benjamín attempts to bribe Samuel with an Oxford admission and a $3,000 monthly allowance, but Samuel refuses the offer and keeps the SIM card.
As Samuel tries to leave, Benjamín grabs his backpack, causing Samuel to fall and hit his head on the edge of the pool.
Patrick discovers Samuel's body and calls his sisters, Ari and Mencía, along with Rebeka and Omar. Despite Benjamín's insistence on handling the situation privately, Mencía decides to call the police. Omar and Rebeka hold Samuel’s hands as they wait for help to arrive.
5. Elite Season 7: Carmen's choice in Elite leads to deadly consequences
One of the most pivotal events in Season 7 of 'Elite' is Raúl's murder. The drama unfolds when Sara warns Carmen about Raúl's abusive behavior.
After Sara and Raúl break up, Carmen’s daughter, Chloe, begins dating Raúl. When Chloe discovers that Raúl had an affair with Sara while they were together, she confronts him, leading to a violent outburst from Raúl.
Carmen arrives at Raúl's apartment, despite Sara's warnings, to find him attacking Chloe. In a desperate bid to protect her daughter, Carmen tries to intervene, but Raúl turns on her and attempts to choke her on the rooftop balcony.
Carmen manages to break free and, in the heat of the moment, pushes Raúl off the roof. To protect themselves, Carmen and Chloe frame Raúl’s death as a suicide and vow to keep the secret.
However, in the season’s final moments, it is revealed that Joel and Omar's flatmate, Dalmar, has recorded Carmen pushing Raúl off the rooftop. This revelation adds a new layer of intrigue and sets the stage for more drama in the next season.
How to stream 'Elite' Season 8?
'Elite' Season 8 is exclusively available on Netflix from Friday, July 26, 2024. Don't have Netflix? Worry not!
Access to the film requires a Netflix membership, available starting from $6.99/month for the standard plan with ads.
The standard plan without ads is priced at $15.49/month, while the Premium plan costs $22.99/month.
'Elite' Season 8 trailer