By Xa’riyah Mitchell ’25
If you haven’t hopped on the Money Heist bandwagon yet, you’re missing out on an amazingly unpredictable plot filled with suspense, drama, and a bunch of lovable criminals pulling off the biggest heist of their lives. Currently streaming on Netflix, this show isn’t just binge worthy, it’s a full blown addiction.
This Spanish series, created by Alex Pina, was released in 2015. In Spain the show titled “La Casa de Papel,”, but when released to American audiences it was formally titled “Money Heist” This series follows the storyline of eight criminals: Tokyo, Nairobi, Berlin, Rio, Denver, Moscow, Helsinki, Oslo and their leader, the Professor. It is narrated by one of the criminals, Tokyo. The criminals carry out a carefully planned heist that involves entering the royal mint of Spain and escaping with $984 million. They wear red jumpsuits and iconic Salvador dali masks to hide their identities. Throughout the series, the professors and the team face numerous challenges, both from the authorities and within the group. The tension of the show escalates as the police, led by inspector Raqual Murillo, try to uncover the professor’s identity and bring the heist to an end.
I watch a lot of crime and action related shows, but what sets Money Heist apart is its ability to keep you on the edge of your seat with its constant twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the show reveals how you really don’t. One of the standout aspects of “Money Heist” to me is the character development. Each member of the crew has their own backstory and motivations, making them relatable and human. I found myself rooting for these characters and feeling a rollercoaster of emotions as their journeys unfolded.
Money Heist isn’t just about robbing the Royal Mint. It also talks about class struggle, societal injustice, fighting the system, and more. The production quality of this show is top-notch. The cinematography alone captures the beauty of Madrid while also creating a sense of tension and urgency and made me feel like I was a part of the action. The soundtrack deserves an award on its own and the theme song “My life is going on” really ties it all together. Similarly, the song “Bella Ciao” tells a story on its own and is truly moving and powerful. It really stuck to me throughout the whole series.
Although I loved this show as a whole, it would be a lie to say it didn’t have some weaknesses. While the series is generally well written, there are moments where the logic seems to go a bit haywire or when the characters actions aren’t fully clarified. It’s like you’re invested in the plot and then suddenly you think, “Wait. Why would they do that?” Another weakness is how there are some characters who have really fascinating story arcs and are well developed, but then there are characters who don’t get the same level of attention and can feel a bit one dimensional. For example, I was really invested in the storylines of Nairobi, Tokyo and Berlin, because their stories are very well developed which make them more relatable. I root for them to succeed. However, I couldn’t really connect with or really love Oslo and his character because the show doesn’t really go into depth about him or who he is as a person. Although these are minor problems I wish could have been solved, the show is still very good.
Even with a few weaknesses in the show, the strengths overpower them. The actors’ portrayal of the characters they play and the emotions and depth they show is one of many strengths. For example, Alvaro Morte’s portrayal of the professor was amazing and he did an incredible job bringing the character to life. His character stands out the most to me. He embodies the professor’s intelligence and calmness, which adds so much depth to the character. One of the things I really appreciate about Morte’s performance is how he conveys the professor’s emotional journey. Viewers follow his moments of vulnerability of intense focus, and determination throughout the show. For example, in one particular scene the professor is in the control room watching the heist and communicating with the team through earpieces, and as the tension rises and the situation becomes more challenging, the professor remains calm. There’s a moment when the team faces an unexpected obstacle and the professor quickly comes up with a solution. You can see the thoughts and panic moving through his head as he analyzes the situation and comes up with a plan. The professor’s face remains stoic, but his eyes reveal the intensity of his concentration and as he tells his team, his voice is steady and confident, but you can sense the hidden vulnerability.
I was really feeling what he was feeling and I understood the responsibility he carries, knowing that the success of the heist depends on him and how fast he’s able to think if plans change. This is why he has to be one of my favorite characters from the show. You can really tell he took his role seriously and wanted to perfect what the professor might have been feeling and who he was.
This show is honestly great! I would highly recommend it to anyone and especially people who are suckers for suspense and crime related experiences. Money Heist isn’t just a show, it’s a thrilling adventure that takes you on a wild ride through the streets of Madrid and the characters in this series are some of the coolest and craziest you’ll come across. Grab your snack, cancel your plans, and get ready for a binge-watching experience that’ll leave you wanting more.
The Raider Press 