Salvador – Review | Netflix Series

SALVADOR on Netflix is a new crime thriller series from Spain. It has eight episodes, which seems like a lot (even too much) for its premise. Especially if you, like me, find yourself getting extremely annoyed with the main character before the halfway mark of episode 1. On the plus side, the cast is amazing. Read our full Salvador series review here!

SALVADOR is a new Netflix series from Spain. It’s named for its main character, who is pretty irritating and annoyed me from the very first few scenes. This is despite the fact that I really like the actor. My main issue with this crime thriller series is that it has eight episodes, when it could have been a feature film. And even been much stronger for it.

Also, I have said it before, but I am so tired of these brooding male characters who have managed to make a complete mess of their lives, and now we’re supposed to root for them because they finally try to do something right?! Or actually, in this case, the main character wants to become some sort of hero, despite already being the villain of his own life story.

Continue reading our Salvador Netflix series review below. Find it on Netflix from February 6, 2026.

A Father Seeks Vigilante Justice?

Look, I get it, with the Netflix series Salvador, they’re going for some sort of redemption arc. However, when the redemption comes too late and is solely for one’s own purposes, it loses a lot of its shine. This was probably why I found it impossible to like this main character, who was living in a hell of his very own creation.

Even the one-sentence plot of “A Father Seeks Vigilante Justice in the Crime Thriller Salvador” completely rubs me the wrong way. This man was never a father. And now he wants to avenge his daughter to feel better?! Get the f**k outta here!

It all begins when the former doctor, current ambulance driver (because he made a mess of his life), Salvador Aguirre (Luis Tosar), finds himself responding to a call, where he sees his estranged daughter. And, again, “estranged daughter” is way too nice a description for someone who, prior to this scene, has acknowledged that he was never actually a parent to her.

Anyway, the young woman he fathered (portrayed by Candela Arestegui) has become part of a violent right-wing extremist group. Before this one night is over, many will be brutally injured, and deaths even occur. Mostly among two gangs who willingly fight each other like it was their job, but it is what it is, and innocent people are also hurt.

His daughter is in no way innocent, but could have avoided being in this group had Salvador been a decent dad to her.

Salvador just felt too forced

As a result, Salvador takes it upon himself to find out exactly what happened to his child, so he can then take justice into his own hands. Look, Salvador may come across as a hero to some. To me, he’s nothing more than a deadbeat father who also managed to mess up his job. Of course, this also comes from someone who had a good father and has witnessed amazing dads over the years, so I am not impressed.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure we’re supposed to root for him, but the premise sure makes it sound that way. In that sense, the whole thing is just way too forced for my taste. I would much rather have followed some of the other characters more closely. Several of them had some intriguing back stories and could still get redemption. Not as vigilantes, but by truly helping others!

The cast of the Netflix series Salvador is much better than its plot and premise, so it does have that going for it. Also, the scenes are brutal and intense when they’re at their best.

In the cast, we have Luis Tosar (Prison Cell 211, The Minions of Midas) as the title character, Salvador Aguirre. I have seen Luis Tosar be amazing in so many roles, but this one just didn’t really do anything for me.

Other key actors are Claudia Salas (Piggy, Elite), Leonor Watling (The Oxford Murders), Patricia Vico (Bank Under Siege), Richard Holmes (The Crystal Cuckoo), Fariba Sheikhan (Disforia, The Covenant), and Candela Arestegui (The Rite of Spring).

Watch the limited series Salvador on Netflix now

Salvador is a series created by Aitor Gabilondo with director Daniel Calparsoro at the helm of this eight-episode crime thriller. Previously, the director of this Salvador series had done several projects I enjoyed. This includes his movie The Warning (org. title: El aviso) and the Netflix series The Courier. That’s why I want to acknowledge that the visual style and pacing worked well in this series.

The main issue is simply that I do not care about (nor for) the main character. As such, it wasn’t a good experience to follow his “journey”. Before watching this new Netflix series, I didn’t look at who had created it. If I had, I probably would have known to dial down my expectations greatly.

Aitor Gabilondo also created the Netflix series Muted (2023), which suffered from some of the same issues. Mainly, having a male lead character, whom I did not like. Also, having a plot that felt immensely forced. However, I recognize that quite a few viewers did enjoy that Spanish series (org. title: El silencio). If you’re one of them, then do check out this new Salvador series as well.

Salvador premieres globally on Netflix on February 6, 2026.

Details

Creator: Aitor Gabilondo
Director: Daniel Calparsoro
Cast: Luis Tosar, Candela Arestegui, Claudia Salas, Leonor Watling, Patricia Vico, Richard Holmes, Fariba Sheikhan