'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' (2024) air date, plot, full cast and how to stream Max's documentary series
Show name: 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' (La Mano En El Fuego)
Platform: HBO Max
Date of release: May 21, 2024
Country of origin: Spain
Genre: Documentary
Director: Elena Molina
'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' will stream on HBO Max from May 21, 2024, and the documentary series tells the true story of María del Carmen García - nicknamed La Madre Justiciera - who burned her daughter's rapist alive after he mocked her.
Directed by Elena Molina, 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' delves into the shocking and harrowing story of Antonio Cosme and the crime he committed.
What is the plot of 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case'?
'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' revolves around the shocking case of 1998 in the Spanish town of Benejúzar, when 13-year-old Verónica Rodríguez García accused her neighbor, Antonio Cosme, aged 63, of sexual abuse.
The documentary series provides an in-depth examination of the events that unfolded following Verónica's brave decision to speak out.
The official synopsis of the series reads, "1998. Nothing will ever be the same in the small Spanish town of Benejúzar when 13-year-old Verónica Rodríguez García accuses her neighbor, Antonio Cosme, known in town as "Pincelito", 63, of rape. Despite ample evidence that the crime occurred, residents question Veronica's version and support Pincelito. All of this leads his mother, Mari Carmen García, to take matters into her own hands."
What is the real story of 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case'?
María del Carmen García's daughter Verónica was just 13 years old when Antonio Cosme, assaulted and raped her at knifepoint in October 1998 in Benejúzar.
Cosme, who was their neighbor, used his familiarity with Verónica to lure her into a vulnerable situation, where he then subjected her to this traumatic experience.
The mother found herself struggling to cope with the overwhelming emotions and the sense of helplessness that came with the assault on her daughter.
The community of Benejúzar was divided, with some residents supporting the family while others were in denial about the horrific crime committed by a familiar figure in their town.
Throughout the ordeal, Verónica's mother's primary focus remained on seeking justice for Verónica. However, the slow pace of the legal system and the constant reminders of the traumatic event took a severe toll on her mental health.
Cosme was finally found guilty and served a prison term. However, when Cosme was on prison leave seven years later, he attempted to provoke María del Carmen García by making a cruel remark about her daughter. He taunted her, asking how her daughter was, a callous reminder of the trauma he had inflicted on their family.
Later on, María del Carmen García went to the nearest petrol station, bought a container of fuel, poured the fuel over him, and set him on fire.
In July 2009, María del Carmen García was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years for the crime, which took place in June 2005. However, a year later, in 2010, the Supreme Court reduced her sentence to five-and-a-half years after considering the defense of temporary insanity, as reported by EL PAÍS.
How to stream 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case'?
'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' will stream on HBO Max from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
If you don't have access, a basic Max subscription with ads costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. For an ad-free experience, the subscription is $15.00 per month or $149.99 for a year.
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'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' trailer