Introduction

Money Heist, or La Casa de Papel in its native language, is a Spanish crime drama series on Netflix centered around a group of criminals led by a mysterious man nicknamed the Professor. The show has five seasons and gives the story of each robbery through a series of flashbacks narrated by one of the robbers, Silene Oliveira, who is more well known as Tokyo. The crew, which gains and loses members in each season but always sticks with around eight to ten members, robs two of Spain’s most important financial buildings: the Royal Mint of Spain and the Bank of Spain, both of which were thought to be impossible. Whether or not you’ve seen the show, you’ll likely recognize the iconic red jumpsuits and Salvador Dali masks.

Cast and Characters

The show’s first two seasons have a consistent list of main characters during the Royal Mint robbery. These characters include the robbers, the hostages they hold, and the investigators working to find the identities of the masked robbers and stop them from stealing billions in Spanish cash. The last three seasons follow the Bank of Spain robbery, in which there is more variation within the character list. As expected in a show of this caliber, characters die, but their memories live on within those still inside the Mint and the Bank.

The cast of Money Heist is phenomenal as it has some of the biggest names in Spain. Úrsula Corberó, Jaime Lorente, Miguel Herrán, Alba Flores, and Álvaro Morte are just a few names in this star-studded Spanish lineup. The show also includes guest stars such as soccer phenom Neymar, who although he is only in one short scene, can show the series’ pull to fans worldwide. Each’s performance in this show is nothing short of spectacular. They truly capture the strength and rebellious nature needed to pull off such a crime.

As I’ve previously mentioned, the first two seasons follow the heist at the Royal Mint of Spain, and the last three are in the Bank of Spain. Each robber was in the group for a different reason. Some needed the money. Others wanted it as a tribute to their lost loved ones. Some did it for love. Because of the character diversity, there’s really someone for everybody to relate to. By diving into the details of each robber’s life, the viewers are able to understand their motivations and empathize with them.

Each plan created by the Professor is nearly flawless, with a wrinkle for any possible outcome. However, he is completely unpredictable and takes risks that no one in his situation would ever be able to take. The robbers are imperfect to say the least, but it is the complementary nature of the robbers and the Professor’s relationship that makes them mesh so well. The Professor is meticulous, disciplined, incredibly intelligent, but also not the type of character you’d expect to lead a group of criminals. He’s calm and lacks the excitement and drive you’d expect from someone about to steal billions of dollars in government funds. The robbers are hard-headed, and sometimes, they think they can outlaw the Professor’s best judgment because he’s never inside during the ugly times of the heist. They’re loud, emotional, and aren’t nearly as intelligent as the Professor, as some characters don’t even fully understand their language. It is this relationship of filling the void in each character’s personality with a strong trait of another that allows them to be so successful as a team.

Coming Back for More

This series utilizes cliffhangers to build a bundle of suspense unmatched by other shows. In an action where people are constantly being shot at and pursued by the government and police at all times, the excitement built within is off the charts. However, the show isn’t nonstop action, and it uses a solid blend of empathetic flashback scenes that allow the viewers to create a connection with the robbers and the action that keeps you coming back for more. There is also one minor fact that is integral to everything the crew does and sticks in the back of the mind of the viewer in each situation: the crew will not kill anyone. The Professor explained in the class he taught to his robbers that they’d be facing hundreds of years in prison if ever caught for the crimes that they had committed, and that doesn’t include the life sentence they’d likely get with a murder. Their hostages are never meant to be killed, but instead to be used as leverage to prevent authorities from sending all of the robbers out in body bags .

In Review

Whether it is the acting, the plot created by genius Álex Pina, or the Dali masks, Money Heist is absolutely phenomenal. It makes sense why 70 million watched the show’s final season and made it one of Netflix’s most popular. A work of art was created in this series, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Money Heist. The only complaint I will ever have about this show is that it is now complete.