If you’re tired of the same old apocalypse stories where a group of survivors bickers over canned beans while hiding from zombies or killer robots, then The Eternaut is here to remind you that sometimes, Mother Nature herself is the scariest villain.
This Argentine sci-fi series, now streaming on Netflix , is based on a comic book from the 1950s — yes, older than your grandma’s fruitcake and somehow still relevant. Originally created by Héctor Germán Oesterheld (writer) and Francisco Solano López (artist), the story was recently adapted into an eight-episode TV series by Bruno Stagnaro (co-creator ) and Ariel Stkaria (co-writer ), with some help from Netflix’s wallet.
So, did Argentina just drop a snowball of cinematic gold? Let’s find out — spoiler-free, of course.
❄️ The Good: When It Snows in Buenos Aires, Someone Dies
Forget about global warming — in The Eternaut , the real problem is toxic snow falling in the middle of summer. And no, it doesn’t melt. It kills. On contact. Like if Jack Frost had a vendetta against humanity.
The visuals are impressive, especially when you realize this isn’t some Hollywood fantasy — it’s happening in Buenos Aires , a city known for tango, beef, and now, apocalyptic weather. Watching characters trudge through glowing blue powder while dodging death feels fresh and weirdly patriotic for a genre usually dominated by American cities getting blown up.
The plot starts simple enough: a bunch of old friends are hanging out, drinking whiskey, playing cards… and then boom! Lights go out, snow falls, people die. One guy — Juan Salvo (played by Ricardo Darín, who looks like he could punch time itself) decides to trek across the snowy hellscape to save his ex-wife and daughter. Sounds heroic, right?
Well, turns out saving your family during an alien invasion is harder than finding decent empanadas in Times Square.
🧊 The Not-So-Good: Slow Burn or Just Slow?
Now, if you’re looking for non-stop action, laser guns, and dramatic one-liners, you might want to grab some popcorn and queue up Independence Day . Because The Eternaut takes its sweet time building up the world, the relationships, and the emotional baggage of every character involved.
There are a lot of characters. Each gets their moment to cry, argue, reminisce, and occasionally scream at each other while wearing mismatched sweaters. It’s like a post-apocalyptic therapy session — only with more snow monsters.
And while the pacing does pick up in later episodes, the early ones feel more like a drama class gone rogue than a sci-fi thriller. Also, let’s be honest — we’re not entirely convinced these guys have been besties for decades. Their chemistry sometimes feels like two strangers forced to share an Uber.
Oh, and don’t expect all your questions to be answered. The finale leaves things dangling so hard it could’ve been a setup for Season 2 of Game of Thrones . If you like mysteries that refuse to give closure, then congratulations — this show was made for you.
📚 From Page to Screen: A Legacy Reborn
Before it was a Netflix show, The Eternaut was a cult classic comic in Argentina. First published in the late ’50s, it was later reimagined with added political commentary, reflecting the country’s turbulent history — including military coups, economic collapses, and the Falklands War (which the show references via flashbacks).
Oesterheld himself disappeared during the brutal military dictatorship in 1977, adding a layer of tragic realism to the story. His disappearance has never been solved, but his legacy lives on in this adaptation.
This new version updates the setting to modern times, making the themes of chaos, resistance, and survival feel eerily current. Especially if you live in a place where blackouts and climate disasters are becoming disturbingly normal.
🎬 Final Verdict: Is It Worth Your Time?
Absolutely — if you’re okay with a slow start, love atmospheric storytelling, and enjoy shows that make you think as much as they entertain. The Eternaut is a rare beast: a sci-fi series that’s deeply rooted in local culture yet universal in its themes.
It’s got solid effects, strong performances (especially from Darín), and a premise that keeps you hooked even when the pacing stumbles. And hey, any show that makes snowfall look like a horror movie deserves some credit.
Just don’t watch it while planning a trip to Argentina. You might cancel your flight.
