The Secret of the River – Review | Netflix Series

THE SECRET OF THE RIVER on Netflix is a Mexican series (org. title: El Secreto del Río) with 8 episodes. This is a thriller, drama, and mystery-driven story. In the opening scene, we see someone die in a river, which becomes a defining event. Read our The Secret of the River review here!

THE SECRET OF THE RIVER is a new Netflix suspense series from Mexico (org. title: El Secreto del Río). The series covers the genres of drama, thriller, and mystery with its story told over 8 episodes.

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We know from the opening scene that someone dies. Is it self-defense, murder, or an accident?  This is what we will find out. And yes, this event takes place by the river, which is the reason for the title of this Mexican Netflix series.

Continue reading our review of The Secret of the River below. Find it on Netflix from October 9, 2024.

A secret for survival

The series opens with a short flashback where we see two young boys and one adult male in a confrontation of sorts. It ends with the adult man falling into the river and hitting his head on a rock. Then we go back to earlier that very same summer.

We’re in a small village in Oaxaca, where two very different boys, Erik and Manuel, are spending the summer together. They are the two boys who become the sole witnesses to the unexpected death, we witness in that opening scene.

It becomes a secret that makes their friendship unbreakable. And one they must keep to ensure their own safety and survival. Despite it being a town where men, women, and muxes (more on this later) live together, not all men are too pleased with having “queer” people around.

Later in the series, there’s a 20-year time jump. The two are now adults and their paths cross again, but their differences are even greater. Now, they are Erik and Sicarú. The latter is now a woman. Their huge secret from the past and problems of their present will be the ultimate test of this friendship!

Muxes or “The third gender”

In The Secret of the River, there is a key element featuring “muxes”. As you will learn from watching the series – if you’re not already familiar with the muxes of Oaxaca (southern Mexico) in the Zapotec cultures – a muxe is a person born as a man but presenting as a woman.

This is also known as the “third gender” which could to some extent be compared to being non-binary by today’s term.

However, it’s hardly a new concept. Despite many insisting that people who are transgender or non-binary are just part of some new “trend”, different gender expressions have been part of human history for centuries.

Already from the trailer, we learn that one of the young boys – the two boys we follow in the part of the story about their childhood – will grow up and become a woman. Part of what helped her realize who she really was, came from meeting the community of muxes.

Even before this happened, homophobic and transphobic adults were quick to start calling this child “queer” before they had any idea of who or what they were. Funny how that can never really keep anyone from being who they really are.

And, as so often before, those who are quick to judge and accuse may be hiding something themselves. It’s something the LGBTQ+ community has become accustomed to. Just last month [September 2024], was the most recent example.

Watch The Secret of the River on Netflix now!

The Secret of the River is a Mexican suspense series (org. title: El Secreto del Río) created by Alberto Barrera. While this series is very much a drama production and even a little soapy at times.

Of course, this shouldn’t be too surprising as Alberto Barrera has written on various soap operas and other drama-driven series in the past. He’s very experienced with telenovelas – for better and worse. Still, The Secret of the River does cover some dark subjects in its thriller and mystery-driven elements.

The stars of the series include Diego Calva (Bird Box: Barcelona), Trinidad González, Mauro Guzmán, Frida Sofía Cruz Salinas, Jorge A. Jimenez (The Black Demon), Iazua Larios (Apocalypto), and Mercedes Hernández (Huesera).

It may not be for everyone who wants more action in their thriller or suspense series, but it’s still a good production.

The Secret of the River is out on Netflix from October 9, 2024.

Details

Creator: Alberto Barrera
Stars: Diego Calva, Trinidad González, Mauro Guzmán, Frida Sofía Cruz Salinas, Jorge A. Jimenez, Iazua Larios, Mercedes Hernández