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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →City of Shadows (Ciudad de sombras) is the six-episode Spanish crime thriller behind the “100% Rotten Tomatoes” headline. That perfect score was an early snapshot based on five critic reviews; as checked on August 18, 2026, Rotten Tomatoes lists the season at 83% from six critics and 54% from fewer than 50 audience ratings. The series is available on Netflix and takes about four hours and 45 minutes to watch in full.
What is City of Shadows about?
The limited series opens with a burned body displayed on the façade of Barcelona’s La Pedrera–Casa Milà, one of Antoni Gaudí’s most recognizable buildings. Suspended detective Milo Malart returns to the investigation and works with Deputy Inspector Rebeca Garrido to identify the killer. The case leads through Barcelona landmarks and a widening pattern of missing and murdered public figures.
Netflix describes the production as a Spanish-language thriller filmed across Catalonia. Its official announcement identifies Jorge Torregrossa as creator and director, and says the six episodes adapt the first novel in Aro Sáinz de la Maza’s Milo Malart tetralogy. That source-material connection does not mean Netflix has ordered another season.
Spoiler note: This overview avoids revealing the killer or the ending.
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Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Title | City of Shadows (Ciudad de sombras) |
| Country and language | Spain; European Spanish |
| Release date | December 12, 2025 |
| Format | Six-episode limited series |
| Genre | Crime drama, mystery and thriller |
| Netflix rating | TV-MA |
| Main cast | Isak Férriz, Verónica Echegui, Ana Wagener and Manolo Solo, with María Adánez, Marc Clotet, Aina Clotet and Vicky Peña also listed by Netflix |
| Streaming home | Netflix |
See the official Netflix title page and Netflix Media Center listing for the current catalog information.
Why did headlines call it a “100% RT” series?
Early coverage reported a 100% Tomatometer after only five critic reviews. Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer is the percentage of counted critics who gave a positive review; it is not an average star rating and does not represent the audience score. A perfect percentage from five reviews is therefore an opening snapshot, not a settled critical consensus.
The number changed as another review was added. The current Rotten Tomatoes series page, checked August 18, 2026, shows 83% from six critic reviews and a 54% audience score from fewer than 50 ratings. Both figures can change as Rotten Tomatoes adds reviews and ratings. Early reporting and the five-review figure are documented in coverage indexed at IMDb’s news page for the series.
How long is the binge?
Netflix released the complete season on December 12, 2025, so there is no weekly wait. The listed episode lengths are:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems| Episode | Runtime |
|---|---|
| 1 | 42 minutes |
| 2 | 50 minutes |
| 3 | 46 minutes |
| 4 | 46 minutes |
| 5 | 48 minutes |
| 6 | 53 minutes |
That adds up to approximately 285 minutes, or four hours and 45 minutes. It fits comfortably into a long day or two evening sessions. “Easy to binge” describes the compact, same-day format, not a promise that every viewer will find the investigation fast-paced. Some critic excerpts on the season page question the early momentum and overall cohesion.
What gives the series its identity?
Barcelona is part of the mystery
The show uses the city as more than scenery. Episode titles reference Gaudí-associated sites including La Pedrera, Palau Güell, the Crypt of Colònia Güell, Park Güell, the Güell Pavilions and the Sagrada Família. The landmarks supply an immediate visual signature while the investigation moves through different parts of Barcelona and Catalonia.
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A damaged detective at the center
Milo Malart’s suspension gives the conventional police investigation a personal and professional fault line. His return alongside Rebeca Garrido creates the partnership that drives the case, while the serial-killer premise provides a darker edge than a routine procedural.
International viewing options
Netflix lists European Spanish as the original language and offers English and several other European-language audio and subtitle options. Exact choices, downloads and playback features vary by country, plan and device, so check the title page in your market before starting.
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Who should watch—and who should hesitate?
It is a good fit if you like
- Spanish or international crime dramas with a strong sense of place.
- Serial-killer mysteries and disgraced-investigator stories.
- A self-contained season that can be completed in one or two sittings.
- Subtitled or dubbed European-language television.
Consider skipping it if you dislike
- Graphic violence, burned bodies, abduction and disturbing crime scenes. Netflix rates it TV-MA.
- Investigations that may take time to develop or feel uneven in their payoff.
- Starting a show labeled “limited series” while expecting a confirmed multi-season franchise.
Is it really a global streaming hit?
That claim needs a distinction. Secondary coverage, including Collider’s report, framed City of Shadows as a global streaming success. Netflix’s official pages verify the release, six-episode format and international Netflix distribution, but the available material does not establish a worldwide Top 10 position, view total, hours watched or number of countries reached.
Netflix publishes performance information through its Top 10 portal. Unless that portal supplies a specific ranking for this title, “global hit” is best treated as promotional or interpretive language—not a confirmed audience statistic. Worldwide availability and international appeal are not the same as verified worldwide viewership.
Verdict: worth the five-hour commitment?
Yes, for viewers who want an atmospheric Spanish crime mystery built around Barcelona’s Gaudí landmarks. Six episodes, a same-day release and a total runtime of about four hours and 45 minutes make it a practical short binge. Start it for the premise, setting and Milo Malart investigation—not because an early 100% Tomatometer guarantees a masterpiece. The current 83% critic score and modest 54% audience score point to a promising but limited critical record, while the “global hit” label remains unproven by official viewing data.
You can watch City of Shadows with a Netflix subscription at Netflix. Catalog, language and download availability depend on your region, plan and device.
