by Cyn’s Corner

“The Eternaut” is a gripping Argentine Netflix series created by Bruno Stagnaro, based on the comic of the same name by Héctor Germán Oesterheld with artwork by Francisco Solano López. The title cleverly combines the words “eternity” and “astronaut,” evoking the sense of a timeless or interdimensional traveler. That traveler is Juan Salvo, played by the magnetic Ricardo Darín, whose piercing blue eyes and grounded performance anchor the series.

What begins as a tense survival story slowly expands into something more layered and chilling. The first few episodes depict a group of survivors navigating a world transformed by a toxic snowfall. As expected in the post-apocalyptic genre, it’s not just the environment they have to fear—other people pose threats too, driven by desperation and fear.

The pacing here is deliberate—this isn’t an action-packed, high-octane thrill ride. Instead, it takes its time to build character dynamics and atmosphere. Despite the story unfolding gradually across six episodes, I never found myself bored or impatient. The slow burn works in its favor, allowing tension and mystery to simmer before boiling over in the second half.

Around episode 4, the mystery of the snowfall and the wider threat starts to come into focus, and the series shifts into a more sci-fi-inflected narrative with shades of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” The tension rises as the characters realize they’re facing something even more dangerous and insidious than they first imagined. As the threat escalates, we also get the sense that something deeper is happening to Juan—he begins to experience strange visions, flashbacks, or possibly glimpses of the future. These moments hint at a larger metaphysical or time-looping dimension to the story that isn’t yet fully understood.

The writing feels refreshingly grounded—free from heavy-handed messaging—and the performances are natural and convincing across the board. Darín in particular gives weight and humanity to Salvo, who becomes a symbol of resilience in the face of an uncertain and frightening timeline.

There aren’t many cons to note, although one moment stands out as puzzling: a scene in which Juan sees a glowing entity in the distance and somehow instinctively identifies it as “the real enemy.” It’s not explained how he knows this, leaving a small narrative gap.

The show ends on a cliffhanger, but with a silver lining: it’s already been renewed for a second season, slated for April 2026.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5