HOT SKULL on Netflix is a new sci-fi series with both an intriguing plot and very interesting characters. It’s a strong production from Turkey (org. title: Sicak Kafa). Based on the novel by Afşin Kum. Read our Hot Skull series review here!

HOT SKULL is a new Netflix sci-fi series based on the novel by Afşin Kum. This Turkish series (org. title: Sicak Kafa) has a very high production quality. Of course, this should come as no surprise if you’ve checked out other Netflix productions from Turkey.

The story is very universal since it revolves around an epidemic. We’re in a very dystopian version of Istanbul shaken by an epidemic of madness. One that spreads through language and speech – also called “jabbering”. You’ll understand as soon as you witness the first infected person.

Continue reading our Hot Skull series review below. Find all 8 hour-long episodes on Netflix from December 2, 2022.

Jabbering as a disease

Hot Skull is set in a dystopian world where an epidemic spreads through verbal communication. Everyone wears noise-canceling headsets and the world is clearly past the worst of it. Or rather, we seem to know how to avoid it and stop a major outbreak.

Basically, while listening to someone jabber on and on can feel like hell for anyone in our world, in Hot Skull it is an actual epidemic and the person doing it cannot stop.

However, the reclusive former linguist Murat Siyavus (Osman Sonant), who has taken refuge at his mother’s home, is hunted by the ruthless Anti-Epidemic Institution. Somehow, he is the only person unaffected by the “jabbering” disease.

While Murat is immune to getting the disease, his head heats up with an intense and sudden fever – creating his “hot skull” – yes, as in the title. He needs to cool down his head immediately, to feel better, but for him, this is the only lasting mark of the disease. So while he is affected, he does get infected.

Since Murat knows all too well how this institution operates, he is forced to leave the safe zone. He flees and searches for answers that can explain his “hot skull” and maybe help everyone.

Hot Skull – Review | Netflix Sci-fi Series

This series could become a huge hit

Now that Netflix viewers have started to really accept – or at least give a chance to – foreign language production, Hot Skull could become quite a hit series. And, obviously, there are many non-English speaking Netflix subscribers who have long been happy to watch anything good.

And the Hot Skull series on Netflix really is good. A very strong episode 1 should be enough to convince you of this. It has both an intriguing plot – with the very familiar pandemic plot – and very interesting characters.

The mother of the main character, Murat, is enough to keep me hooked. She is one tough mamma!

Watch Hot Skull on Netflix now!

This new Netflix sci-fi series from Turkey is based on the novel Hot Skull by Afşin Kum. The writer and director of this adaptation is Mert Baykal. As such, he also gets the creator credit (for the Netflix series) which is completely fair. Especially since he’s done an amazing job!

As already mentioned, this is a high-quality production from Turkey. So even if you still haven’t checked out any of the Turkish Netflix productions, you should really give this one a chance.

MORE TURKISH PRODUCTIONS TO CHECK OUT

Check out Fatma on Netflix – I was fascinated with it from the very first moments >

Each episode is around an hour long (some a bit shorter or longer), and with 8 episodes, there is a lot of stories to cover. Give it a shot and enjoy the characters that are generally extremely well-written and definitely entertaining!

Hot Skull is on Netflix globally from December 2, 2022.

Details

Creator: Mert Baykal
Directors: Mert Baykal, Umur Turagay
Cast: Osman Sonant, Şevket Çoruh, Hazal Subaşı, Tilbe Saran, Kubilay Tunçer, Özgür Emre Yıldırım, Gonca Vuslateri

Plot

In a world shaken by an epidemic of madness that spreads through speech, Murat is the only immune person. As he searches for the secret of his mysterious immunity, his “hot skull”, he has to leave the safe zone and embark on an adventure within the ruins of Istanbul.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
Latest posts by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard (see all)