Subteran

When it comes to Romanian action series, many people tend to compare it to Umbre. It's a mini-series with a decent storyline. You can clearly see the Netflix influence compared to what Romanian audiences are accustomed to in TV shows. Yes, it's not a masterpiece, but I don't think that was the goal. I could mention things I didn't like, but that would involve giving spoilers, which isn't necessary. In the end, Florin Piersic Jr. Is undoubtedly the actor who fits his role the best and adds extra value to the mini-series. So, if you have nothing to do on a day, you can give it a chance. Leave your expectations tied to Umbre aside, as it's not exactly the same type of action and doesn't aim to be.

P. S. Merge de plictiseala!

Subteran (2025) offers an intriguing premise, following a mother working in IT who is thrust into the dangerous world of crime after her life is turned upside down by Bucharest's criminal underworld. As she goes undercover to fight the criminals who have impacted her life, the series weaves a tale of suspense, action, and personal transformation. Created by Steve Bailie, the show has a strong foundation, but its execution leaves room for improvement.

Ana Ularu, who leads the series, delivers a solid performance as the determined mother. Her portrayal captures the vulnerability and strength of a character forced into extraordinary circumstances, and she provides emotional depth to a role that could otherwise have felt more one-dimensional. The supporting cast, including Cezar Grumazescu and Florin Piersic Jr., also bring their characters to life with conviction, though their roles often lack the same depth as Ularu's.

While the concept of the show is compelling, with a strong central character fighting to protect her family, the pacing of the series occasionally falters. The balance between action and character development feels uneven, with some episodes focusing too heavily on plot progression at the expense of emotional engagement. The show could benefit from a deeper exploration of the protagonist's internal struggles and motivations, rather than relying solely on external conflicts.

The visual style of Subteran is effective in conveying the gritty, dangerous world of Bucharest's criminal landscape. The cinematography captures the urban environment with stark realism, and the action sequences are decently executed, though they sometimes feel a bit generic. The series doesn't always fully capitalize on the tension that its premise promises, and the plot's predictability dampens the overall impact.

Subteran has potential, but it doesn't fully realize it in its early stages. The premise is engaging, and there are strong performances, but the series struggles to find its emotional depth and pacing. If the show can build on its solid foundation and develop its characters more fully, it could become a more compelling watch in future seasons.

Rating: 6/10. A promising crime drama with a strong premise, but its uneven pacing and lack of emotional depth hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Look, I wasn't expecting another Umbre, especially given this production's budget. However, I have an issue with what this mini-series tries-and fails-to be: a representation of Romania's underground (SUBTERAN) landscape.

In short, the show feels more like a theatrical play than an authentic portrayal of Romanian street life, or Romanian every-day life for that matter.

The writing is weak, but what truly puts me off is the delivery of the lines. Florin Piersic Jr. And Cezar Grumazescu are far from convincing in their roles. Their dialogue is delivered with such perfect pronunciation that it feels like they've never heard anyone speak outside an academic setting.

The world-building remains largely untapped. Bucharest, the city where the story unfolds, barely impacts the narrative, aside from a few run-down houses scouted to create a superficial illusion of an Eastern European "ghetto." It couldn't be further from the truth.

Watch just one episode of Umbre, and the difference is clear: authenticity. From set design to language, pronunciation, and costume design, Umbre gets it right. Dressing Florin Piersic Jr. As a stereotypical Italian-wannabe-mobster doesn't make him a believable character.

Ironically, Alex Velea (a local Romanian trapper) delivers a more authentic performance in a minor role, simply by playing himself.

If you have ever watched a good cop gone under cover and a Mafia type Godfather pulling all the usual strings in a city context and liked it, then this is definitely for you. Apparently it's the first Romanian TV cop show to be shown on Netflix and the bar is set really high. You've got all the usual moves of drug lord, kidnapping, corrupt Police and computer hacking as well as under cover agents whose allegiance are not always clear.

There are refreshingly strong female roles not played for decorating the sets or just as eye candy for the male eye!!

I really enjoy European programmes and this Romanian 6 parter kept me interested right to the last scene. It may be set up for a second season. I hope so.

As far as crime series go this one checks all the boxes. Crime lord. Corruption everywhere. Not knowing who to trust. Undercover police. People getting caught up in the mess. Money. Drugs.

The mix is....... fine enough if you don't overthink it. Yes, entire thing was clearly done on a budget. Yes, stuff is resolved via handwavium. Yes, acting can be a bit clunky at times.

It's not a particularly bad series if you are looking for non-English speaking shows, it's just not that great in the end.

It's worth a watch if you have time to kill and nothing better lined up but you'll likely forget it once it's done.