Netflix's latest Spanish thriller series, City of Shadows or Ciudad de Sombras, is finally here. It follows detective, Milo Malart, and his partner, Rebecca Garrido, as they investigate gruesome killings that take place in Barcelona's historic buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí.City of Shadows wastes no time pulling the viewers into its world of crime and chaos. The Netflix crime thriller opens with fire, fear, and a public murder that shocks Barcelona. From that moment, the series makes one thing clear. This is not your quiet mystery thriller. It is loud and uncomfortable.Barcelona looks marvellous on screen. Its famous buildings, narrow streets, and landmarks are everywhere. Yet the beauty never feels safe. The show uses these locations to remind viewers that dark stories can exist in plain sight.The investigation begins with the death of a powerful businessman. He's burnt alive at Gaudí's La Pedrera Casa Milà. When the violence gets gruesome, it makes the viewers question whether such cruelty did take place. Turns out Netflix's City of Shadows, created by Jorge Torregrossa, is fictional and is adapted from Aro Sainz de la Maza's novel.Here's more about it.Is City of Shadows based on a real-life incident?City of Shadows may feel real, but the story is entirely fictional. The Netflix crime series is not based on a real-life crime incident. It is adapted from the crime novel El Verdugo de Gaudí, by Spanish author Aro Sainz de la Maza. The book introduced detective Milo Malart and formed the backbone of the series.What makes the show authentic is its deep connection to Barcelona. From the iconic streets to the landmarks, the setting feels real. Gaudí's architecture also plays a crucial role.The killer, also known as Gaudi's Shadow, is fictional. They are not inspired by any real group. However, the themes feel familiar. Corruption, abuse of power, and institutional silence run through the series. These elements reflect issues cities like Barcelona have faced over time.The story also explores the killer's past. Their actions are shaped by childhood trauma and neglect. The crimes follow a clear pattern, driven by personal loss rather than chaos.As the detectives dig deeper, they find out that the murders aren't random; it's systematic and revenge-driven. They soon find out that the Guitart siblings are responsible for the killings of the influential people. As they unravel further secrets, they track the siblings' childhood and how they were sent to an orphanage. There, they were abused. So when they grew up, they had one motive: to kill those who were responsible for their trauma.City of Shadows- Why is it a must-watch? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostCity of Shadows is a must-watch this holiday season. The series works because its lead, Milo Malart, is flawed and emotionally worn, making his investigation feel personal instead of procedural. The crimes are disturbing but purposeful, tied to themes of power, silence, and long-buried damage instead of shock value. Each episode tightens the pressure, layering clues and refusing easy answers. The partnership between Milo and Rebeca adds balance and restraint, keeping the narrative grounded. What makes the show linger is how real it feels.The ending is disturbing as the murderers, aka the Guitart siblings, kill themselves before the detectives can get to them. The scene lingers even after the credits roll in. The message stays on, about how abuse and trauma can turn innocent children into revenge-seeking criminals.Cast details:Veronica Echegui as Rebeca GarridoIsak Ferriz as Milo MalartAna Wagener as SusanaManolo Solo as Muaricio NavarroJordi Ballester as JordiCatch all the episodes on Netflix.Follow SoapCentral for more such updates.