When No One Sees Us – Series Review | Max

WHEN NO ONE SEES US on Max is a Spanish Crime Thriller series (org. title: Cuando nadie nos ve) involving a US military base in Spain. The series has eight episodes and is very slow-burn in its build-up and pace. Read our full When No One Sees Us series review here!

WHEN NO ONE SEES US is a new Max crime thriller series from Spain (org. title: Cuando nadie nos ve). The plot involves a local US military base and several soldiers as well. It is, however, mostly in Spanish, as the plot features local problems with drugs (and other crimes).

The cast is amazing, and I really wanted to like this new Spanish Max series. Unfortunately,  it’s just too slow in both its build-up and overall pace. Slowburn and character-driven are good, but I’m missing a tighter and stronger handle on the storytelling.

Continue reading our When No One Sees Us series review below. Find it on Max from March 7, 2025.

It all happens in a week

The plot of When No One Sees Us happens over the course of one week. Specifically during Holy Week in 2024 in Morón de la Frontera. In other words, around Easter and in a village in Seville. One that just happens to be located next to the US Army base area.

We follow Lucía Gutiérrez (Maribel Verdú), a Civil Guard sergeant investigating a very unusual suicide. Performed in the manner of traditional harikiri, it is getting quite a lot of attention. Also, strange events happens during the first Easter procession.

Meanwhile, Magaly Castillo (Mariela Garriga) is a US Army special agent sent to the Morón de la Frontera base. Her mission is to find out where a missing American soldier has gone. His connection to Colonel Seamus Hoopen (Ben Temple), head of the base area, is of particular interest.

Finally, we’ll get to know the lone military police officer, Sergeant Andrew Taylor (Austin Amelio), who is tasked with accompanying Magaly in her investigations.

All of them will soon (but not too soon, as this evolves slowly) discover that the two investigations are connected. Also, it involves both Morón residents and American military personnel. In other words, it’s a real shitshow!

Spanish with a US twist

When No One Sees Us was shot in Madrid along with several nearby towns. Also, Morón de la Frontera and the US military base in the town of Seville were used. All of this ensures that When No One Sees Us comes across as very realistic.

Well, in terms of the geographical settings anyway.

To keep the illusion, it would also help to cast actors who actually sound like Americans to portray US soldiers with names like “Smith”. A heavy Spanish accent doesn’t work too well for those roles. At least give the character a Spanish-sounding name.

Please note, this is not to criticize the actors, but rather I think the casting department or producers (whoever made the final call) should’ve thought this through. It ruins the illusion that these people are actual US soldiers.

The amazing cast draws you in

I adore Spanish actor Maribel Verdú, who you may recognize from Alfonso Cuarón‘s 2001 Y tu mamá también, Guillermo del Toro‘s 2006 Pan’s Labyrinth, or more recently, Andy Muschietti‘s 2023 The Flash.

The fact that Maribel Verdú portrays one of the lead characters – or the lead character in many ways – is enough to draw me in.

Also, Mariela Garriga (Bloodline, Nightmare Cinema, and Mission Impossible 7 & 8) stars alongside Austin Amelio (Mercy Black, The Walking Dead). The two actually make for quite a fascinating duo as they work together. Or rather, he’s her driver and assistant of sorts.

Other actors include Ben Temple ([REC], 30 Coins), Eloy Azorín (The Chalk Line), and Dani Rovira (El bus de la vida).

Start watching When No One Sees Us on Max

Daniel Corpas (Iron Reign) is the creator of this Max Original Spanish crime-thriller series. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Sergio Sarria. Enrique Urbizu (No Peace for The Wicked, La caja 507) directs the eight episodes of this series.

The series was written by a team of scriptwriters led by Arturo Ruiz (Iron Reign), with the collaboration of Luis Caballero, José Antonio Valverde (High Seas), Germán Aparicio, and Isabel Sánchez.

For moments – sometimes as long as half episodes – I felt like it was getting under my skin. However, it would also hit a new lull, or the story would irritate me so much that it lost me again. However, the visuals and production quality are stunning, which helps quite a bit.

The eight episodes (officially called “hour-long” though usually closer to 40 minutes) offer amazing performances from its cast. I just wish the story had resonated more with me. The series premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and now premieres on Max.

When No One Sees Us premieres on Max on March 7, 2025. The final episode is set for release on April 25. 2025.

Details

Creator: Daniel Corpas
Director: Enrique Urbizu
Writers: Arturo Ruiz, Luis Caballero, José Antonio Valverde, Germán Aparicio, Isabel Sánchez
Cast: Maribel Verdú, Mariela Garriga, Austin Amelio, Ben Temple, Dani Rovira, Abril Montilla, Lucía Jiménez, Numa Paredes, María Alfonsa Rosso, Eloy Azorín, Virginia de Morata, Carlos Beluga, Lorca Prada, Ana María Vivancos