- To watch on Netflix: this thriller in 6 episodes should be devoured in one afternoon because it promises to be so captivating JeuxVideo.com
- “City of Shadows”: what is the award-winning novel behind the series that is a hit on Netflix? Yahoo Life France
- Netflix: this Spanish thriller will become your new obsession AlloCiné
- Two days after its release, this crime thriller is a hit on Netflix It Happens Magazine
- City of Shadows (Netflix): Why does the series pay homage to Véronica Echegui, who plays Rebeca Garrido? programme-tv.net
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Backstory & Technical Background
The surge of binge‑worthy thriller series on Netflix over the past five years reflects a strategic shift toward international storytelling, with a particular emphasis on high‑concept crime dramas from Spain, Mexico, and the broader Iberian‑Latin American sphere. Netflix’s “Global Series” initiative, launched in 2018, allocated a dedicated budget of € 300 million for non‑English original productions by 2022, paving the way for projects like “City of Shadows” (original title “Ciudad de Sombras”). The series,adapted from the 2019 award‑winning novel by Spanish author Luis Rodríguez‑biescas,was green‑lit in late 2021,filmed primarily in Valencia and Barcelona,and debuted on the platform on 23 April 2023.Its six‑episode arc (each ≈ 45 minutes) blends neo‑noir aesthetics with a gritty investigative narrative, echoing the tonal qualities of classic Spanish cinema while employing modern streaming‑friendly pacing.
Production on “City of Shadows” was overseen by Betevé, a Barcelona‑based studio known for its work on “La Casa de Papel” spin‑offs, and directed by María García‑Alonso, who previously helmed the acclaimed short‑form thriller “El Eco”. The series’ visual language relies on high‑dynamic‑range (HDR) 4K cameras (ARRI Alexa Mini LF), with a color‑grading palette that emphasizes muted blues and deep shadows-a deliberate homage to the noir tradition cited by the show’s creators. The soundtrack, composed by Javier García, incorporates a blend of electronic beats and traditional Andalusian guitar, reinforcing the series’ dual modern‑historical identity.
Beyond “City of Shadows,” Netflix’s thriller catalog has expanded to include titles such as “Who Killed Sara?” (Mexico, 2021), “The Night Agent” (USA, 2023), “Criminal: Spain” (2022), and “The Girl in the Mirror” (Spain, 2022). Collectively, these series have driven a 27 % increase in binge‑watch sessions for the platform’s crime‑drama genre between 2021‑2023, according to Netflix’s internal analytics released at the 2024 Investor Day.
Comparative Data Table
| Title | Country of Origin | Release Year | Episodes | Avg. Runtime | Based On | IMDB Rating (as of Dec 2025) |
Production Budget (USD) |
Netflix Viewership (first 30 days) |
Content Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Shadows (Ciudad de Sombras) |
Spain | 2023 | 6 | 45 min | novel “Ciudad de Sombras” (Rodríguez‑Biescas, 2019) | 7.8 | ~ $8 million | 13 million households | TV‑14 |
| Who Killed Sara? | Mexico | 2021 | 24 (3 seasons) | 50 min | Original screenplay | 7.5 | ~ $12 million | 24 million households | TV‑MA |
| The Night Agent | USA | 2023 | 10 | 55 min | Original screenplay (based on novel by Matthew Quirk) | 7.2 | ~ $15 million | 9 million households | TV‑14 |
| Criminal: Spain | Spain | 2022 | 12 | 45 min | Original screenplay | 7.6 | ~ $5 million | 4 million households | TV‑14 |
| The Girl in the Mirror | spain | 2022 | 8 | 40 min | Original screenplay (inspired by real‑life case) | 7.1 | ~ $6 million | 5 million households | TV‑14 |
*Budget figures are based on industry reports (Variety, the Hollywood Reporter) and include principal photography, post‑production, and marketing expenses. Exact numbers are not disclosed by Netflix.
Long‑Tail Concept 1 – “Is *City of Shadows safe for younger viewers?”
City of Shadows carries a TV‑14 rating on Netflix, indicating that it contains moderate violence, brief strong language, and occasional suggestive content.Parental controls on the platform allow households to restrict access for viewers under 14 years old. The series does not feature graphic gore or explicit sexual scenes, but its investigative plot revolves around murder, corruption, and moral ambiguity, which might potentially be unsettling for sensitive younger audiences. Netflix’s built‑in “Kids profile” toggle automatically blocks the title unless manually overridden by an adult user.
Long‑Tail Concept 2 – “How much does binge‑watching top Netflix thrillers cost over time?”
The primary cost to the viewer is the monthly subscription fee, which varies by region (e.g., $9.99 USD for the Standard plan in the United States). Assuming an average viewer watches two thriller series per month (≈ 12 hours of content), the per‑hour cost works out to roughly $0.83 USD. If a subscriber binge‑watches a full season of City of Shadows (≈ 4.5 hours) plus an additional thriller such as Who Killed Sara? (≈ 20 hours), the total viewing time is 24.5 hours, translating to a monthly cost of $8.30 USD for thriller content alone. Over a year, a dedicated binge‑watcher could spend $99.90 USD on Netflix while consuming roughly 300 hours of thriller programming-highlighting the platform’s cost‑efficiency compared with traditional cable or pay‑per‑view models.
