'Money Heist' on Netflix: 5 reasons why crime drama 'La Casa de Papel' deserves to be binge-watched
With a whopping 34 million views for part three, 'Money Heist' or 'La Casa de Papel' smashed all-time records on Netflix. One of the few Spanish shows to have snuck into the hearts of global viewers, the streaming service has apparently branded it as "one of the most-watched Netflix series or film of all time in any language – and the highest non-English speaking show ever".
If the views were not enough to pull you in, did you know that 'Money Heist' also went on to win an International Emmy Award as Best Drama Series? The success of the show is quite surprising. Created by Álex Pina and first broadcast on Spanish network Antena 3, it was not familiar until Netflix picked it up and slightly revamped the format. Apparently, they created two seasons instead of one and the episodes were re-edited to make them 45-50 minutes long. In fact, the show was initially intended to be a limited series.
The series follows El Professor, who brings con-artists and criminals together, to pull off the ultimate heist of the Royal Mint of Spain. As the episodes unfold, the missing pieces of the puzzle start to fit in together and the racy pace keeps viewers hooked. Wondering why you need to binge-watch it? Here are five reasons why the show gained worldwide popularity within days of its release.
Clever writing
The clever, sharp writing is the clear winner for the show! The theme of "heist" or planning a "big robbery" might be old, but the plot has been so intelligently crafted that it immediately pulls you in. The biggest strong point for 'Money Heist' is how it drops the concealed information at just the right time you need to know.
Adventure
It is the first time that a Spanish show has appealed to such a large audience. Even as the actors speak Spanish, you're engrossed in their lives and want to know more. The translation and dialogues are on-point too. The show takes a stealthy look at the Spanish way of life. Not only does it give more space to a global crowd to explore the culture but also promises more adventure.
Relatability factor
The story may be centered around a bunch of robbers but yet as an audience, you end up being on their side, particularly because of their smart, shrewd way of handling things. Moreover, their target of not hurting a single captive in the room only adds to it. Yes, it is intentional, as The Professor says in a scene, "The moment there is a single drop of blood, we'll stop being Robin Hoods and become simple crooks." But it still works its magic. The mask-wearing crew may encompass dangerous criminals with skill sets of their own, but beneath their killer streak lies a relatable human side.
Originality
The spectacular ending in each episode has been perfectly fleshed out. The cliffhangers create intrigue in the minds of viewers and that's how you're hooked! Director Diego Ávalos said: "We are proud of bringing stories that are made in Spain, to the world. It has been loved by fans all around the world because of the authenticity and originality of storytelling." A TV version of "page-turner", it blends political messages, psychological games, and interpersonal conflict into a riveting story.
Suspense
The show doesn't waste too much time in backstories but leaves a lot to the imagination instead. Until the second part, we only know the character names in cities—Tokyo, Nairobi, Moscow, Berlin, Rio, Denver or Oslo. The brainchild of the mission is also known as just 'The Professor'. It works for the show as there is much mystery in the air. Even when a particular episode or season ends, there is desperation to know what unravels next and why the characters do what they do.
In case you still haven't heard about 'Money Heist' aka 'La Casa de Papel', don't waste any more time. Get set to binge-watch the series that will keep you up all night. Three parts are already up for streaming on Netflix and the fourth part is currently in production. Pina hinted at the renewal of the show at a press conference: "They're [the characters are] a group of people who still have a lot to say. It took us quite a long time to decide, we wanted to respect our work."
Three parts are already up for streaming on Netflix and the fourth part is all set to premiere on April 3, 2020, with eight new episodes.