A Haunting Beginning: Untamed Unleashes Netflix’s Next Mystery Obsession

The wilderness is about to reveal a secret it’s held onto for years. Netflix’s latest murder mystery, Untamed, introduces viewers to a new kind of crime drama — one steeped in emotional trauma, untamed landscapes, and a family torn apart by loss. With Untamed, Netflix isn’t just offering another whodunnit — it’s delivering a slow-burning psychological thriller that promises to grip your heart as tightly as it grips your attention.

But what is it about Untamed that has critics intrigued, audiences curious, and fans of Yellowstone and True Detective leaning in with interest? At the center of it all is Kyle Turner, played by Eric Bana in his first major television role in nearly a decade — a man whose grief, guilt, and secrets make him both suspect and savior in a town wrapped in silence.

Kyle Turner’s Reckoning: A Father Haunted by the Past

Kyle Turner isn’t your typical crime drama protagonist. He’s not a detective in shining armor or a hero on a mission. He’s a father. A broken man. Someone who once called Yosemite National Park his home — and now finds himself returning to it for answers he’s been too scared to confront.

Years ago, tragedy struck Kyle’s family — the death of his son shattered his marriage and unraveled his identity. Since then, Kyle has lived with the weight of unanswered questions and guilt he can’t shake. In Untamed, he returns to the very wilderness that once gave him purpose — and that now threatens to bury him under a new murder investigation.

Turner’s estranged ex-wife, Jill (played by the magnetic Rosemarie DeWitt), hasn’t fully healed either. Their scenes are fraught with unresolved emotion — a portrait of two parents still mourning a child, and in doing so, mourning parts of themselves. As Kyle investigates the new crime, he also begins to dig into old wounds, and it quickly becomes clear: the two tragedies might be more connected than anyone suspects.

The Murder That Starts It All

The discovery of a body in Yosemite launches the mystery at the heart of Untamed. But unlike many crime dramas, the show doesn’t rush to deliver twists and jump scares. Instead, Untamed unfolds with a moody intensity — drawing viewers in with long, tension-filled silences, stunning cinematography, and a cast of characters who all seem to be hiding something.

Sam Neill delivers a haunting performance as a ranger with a complicated past, while Wilson Bethel’s brooding energy brings conflict and unpredictability to the table. The supporting cast — including Lily Santiago’s spirited park partner, Naya — add fresh layers to a world that feels both expansive and claustrophobic. Everyone is a suspect. And no one is safe.

Rotten Tomatoes Speaks: A Divided Verdict

Early reviews are in, and Untamed is making waves. With an 83% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the show is off to a promising start. However, not everyone is convinced. ScreenRant gave the series a harsh 4 out of 10, calling it “predictable and uninspired,” and suggesting it might’ve been better as a two-hour movie rather than a six-episode series.

But here’s where Untamed breaks the mold — it isn’t trying to be fast-paced or flashy. Its strength lies in its atmosphere and character work. Much like The Revenant — also written by screenwriter Mark L. Smith — Untamed immerses viewers in a survivalist, almost spiritual experience. The setting isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a character in its own right.

The Breaking Point: Secrets, Guilt & Emotional Depth

The real strength of Untamed lies in its emotional core. As Kyle Turner digs deeper into the murder case, he also uncovers secrets from his own past — revelations that force him to confront the possibility that his son’s death wasn’t what it seemed.

It’s this dual investigation — the external murder mystery and the internal emotional reckoning — that makes Untamed more than just another crime series. Kyle is a man who has avoided the truth for years, but now, faced with danger, betrayal, and growing suspicions, he realizes the only way forward is through the pain he’s spent so long running from.

Each episode chips away at Kyle’s composure. By the fourth episode, he’s no longer the composed ranger — he’s a father unraveling. The audience watches as he is forced to choose between exposing painful truths or keeping silent to protect those he still loves.

A Heartbreaking Conversation: Kyle & Jill’s Emotional Confrontation

In one of the series’ most powerful moments, Kyle and Jill confront each other by the edge of a cliff overlooking the vast wilderness — the same place where they once found peace as a family. With tears and restrained anger, Jill confesses that she’s always suspected something more about their son’s death — that Kyle knew more than he ever let on.

Kyle, emotionally stripped bare, finally admits what he saw that night. It’s a confession that shakes Jill to her core. The fallout of this revelation redefines their relationship — not as ex-lovers, but as two people forever bonded by pain, struggling to forgive each other and themselves.

Not Just a Murder Mystery — A Story of Redemption

Untamed isn’t a tale of one killer. It’s a meditation on the wildness within — the grief, fear, and desperation that can live inside even the most stoic of men. Kyle Turner’s journey is one of redemption, not justice. By the time the final episode rolls around, the mystery is solved — but the emotional damage is far from healed.

Viewers will be left wondering: Did Kyle truly find peace? Or did he simply trade one kind of guilt for another?

What The Future Holds: Will There Be More?

While Untamed wraps up its six-episode arc with a sense of finality, questions still linger. With strong early viewership and an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score to support its momentum, Netflix might consider greenlighting a follow-up — or at least leaving the door open for an anthology-style continuation in the same setting.

There’s room to explore more of the Yosemite ranger community, the psychological trauma left behind by the events of season one, or even a deeper dive into Naya’s character — who, by the end, proves she has secrets of her own.

Final Thoughts: A Show That’s More Than It Seems

Untamed may not redefine the crime genre, but it doesn’t have to. What it offers is a haunting, emotional slow-burn thriller that captures the raw essence of grief and guilt. With breathtaking landscapes, layered characters, and a mystery that is as much about the human heart as it is about solving a crime, Untamed leaves a lasting impression.

Eric Bana’s return to the small screen reminds us why he remains a commanding presence. His portrayal of Kyle Turner is vulnerable, tortured, and deeply human — a father who lost everything and is only now beginning to find himself.