I created an IMDB account just to write this review. As an avid TV and film watcher, I often rely on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes to guide my viewing choices. Sadly, there are almost no reviews to be found -- anywhere -- about this series, which is a damn shame, because it's freaking awesome.
The only reviews that do exist on here or Reddit or RT are middling and claim this series is derivative or subpar, unfairly claiming it is a rip-off of shows like Stranger Things and that it pales in comparison. Being a *huge* fan of Stranger Things (I've watched the entire series all the way through three times), I have to disagree. Yes, Paraíso is similar to Stranger Things in tone, mood, era, score, and cinematography, but it also stands completely on its own in terms of originality, character development, concept and storyline.
As a devotee of The Expanse, Game of Thrones, Shadow and Bone, His Dark Materials, Foundation, Lost, Almost Human, Orphan Black, Fringe, Dark, Ragnarok, Locke & Key, The Nevers, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Timeless, The Mandalorian, Carnival Row, Sense8, and Humans, I can say without reservation that Paraíso absolutely belongs in that list of my all-time favorite fantasy/mystery/sci-fi series.
Paraíso is exciting, moving, and cathartic. The acting from the young teens in particular is outstanding. I loved the world-building, examination of grief and loss, bingeable suspense, depth of friendships explored, the burgeoning romances, and most of all -- a very satisfying conclusion. If you love any (or all) of the series I listed above, you'll likely fall in love with Paraíso, too. Give it a chance and keep watching to the end. You'll be richly rewarded when you do.
My only gripe (as someone who speaks Spanish) is that the English subtitles were inadequate and often inaccurate. That was disappointing. I do hope HBO takes the time to give this series the subtitles and closed captioning it deserves (and that they've afforded to all the other foreign language series I've watched on HBO). Despite this flaw, I still wholeheartedly recommend Paraíso.
I'm grateful to have come across this show. And while I wish there were IMDB user voices joining with mine to declare its greatness, I'm confident that after you've watched it, you're likely to become one of them.
