If you’re captivated by high-stakes crime thrillers with intricate planning, a charismatic mastermind, and a crew of unforgettable characters, all wrapped in a surprisingly emotional and politically charged narrative, then the global phenomenon “Money Heist” (originally “La casa de papel” from Spain) is an absolute must-watch. This series redefines the heist genre with its unique blend of suspense, drama, and unexpected turns.
What is “Money Heist” about?
“Money Heist” revolves around two meticulously planned, multi-day heists orchestrated by a mysterious, brilliant, and enigmatic figure known only as The Professor (Álvaro Morte). He recruits a diverse group of eight skilled criminals, all with nothing left to lose, who adopt city names as their aliases to maintain anonymity and foster a sense of collective identity.
The series is told from the perspective of one of the robbers, Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó), an unreliable narrator whose voice guides viewers through the twists and turns.
The First Heist: The Royal Mint of Spain
In the initial two “parts” (seasons in the original Spanish broadcast), the team’s objective is to break into the Royal Mint of Spain. Their goal isn’t to steal existing money, but to print nearly a billion euros themselves, holding dozens of hostages in the process. The Professor, operating from an external location, meticulously guides the crew inside, anticipating every move by the police and the negotiator, Inspector Raquel Murillo (Itziar Ituño), who unknowingly begins to form a relationship with him outside the Mint. This heist is a masterful display of psychological warfare, engineering, and a constant battle of wits between The Professor and law enforcement.
The Second Heist: The Bank of Spain
Later “parts” of the series see the crew, after living in hiding, brought back together for an even more audacious and complex operation: to infiltrate the heavily fortified Bank of Spain and extract its gold reserves. This heist is not just for money; it’s often driven by personal stakes, revenge, and a growing sense of fighting against the system, turning the robbers into unlikely symbols of resistance for a global audience.
Throughout both heists, the show delves deep into the backstories of each robber, revealing their motivations, vulnerabilities, and the bonds that form (and sometimes break) under extreme pressure. It’s a show about more than just stealing money; it’s about defying authority, finding family in unexpected places, and challenging the very foundations of the system.
Key elements that make “Money Heist” compelling:
- The Professor: A truly iconic mastermind, his meticulous planning and intellectual chess match with the authorities are a constant source of tension and admiration.
- Charismatic Ensemble: The robbers, identified by their city aliases (Tokyo, Berlin, Nairobi, Rio, Denver, Helsinki, Palermo, Lisbon, etc.), are richly developed, flawed, and often surprisingly sympathetic characters. Their relationships and internal conflicts are as captivating as the heist itself.
- Intricate Plotting and Suspense: The series is a masterclass in suspense, constantly throwing unexpected obstacles and moral dilemmas at the characters, keeping viewers guessing at every turn.
- High-Stakes Thrills: It’s packed with action, tense standoffs, dramatic betrayals, and emotional sacrifices.
- Social and Political Undercurrents: The show cleverly weaves in themes of rebellion, anti-establishment sentiment, and the power of the people, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide. The use of the Italian anti-fascist song “Bella Ciao” became a global anthem for the show’s spirit of resistance.
- Unreliable Narrator: Tokyo’s perspective adds a unique, subjective, and often emotionally charged layer to the storytelling, with flashbacks and time jumps revealing crucial details.
Where to Watch “Money Heist”:
“Money Heist” originally aired on Antena 3 in Spain, but gained massive international popularity after Netflix acquired global streaming rights. Netflix re-edited the initial episodes into a slightly different structure and then produced additional parts directly.
All five parts (which constitute the complete series) are exclusively available to stream on:
- Netflix (with a subscription)
Spin-offs and related content:
- Money Heist: The Phenomenon (Netflix): A documentary providing a behind-the-scenes look at the show’s global success.
- Money Heist: From Tokyo to Berlin (Netflix): A two-part documentary about the final parts of the series.
- Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area (Netflix): A South Korean remake set in an alternate universe.
- Berlin (Netflix): A direct spin-off series focusing on the character of Berlin (Pedro Alonso) before the events of the main heists.
If you enjoyed “Money Heist,” you might also like:
- Lupin (Netflix): Another highly popular non-English language series featuring a charismatic gentleman thief who executes elaborate heists.
- Ozark (Netflix): For a dark, intense crime drama centered around a family involved in money laundering for a drug cartel, filled with suspense and moral ambiguity.
- Breaking Bad (Netflix): A highly acclaimed series about a chemistry teacher who turns to manufacturing and selling drugs, building a criminal empire.
- The Wire (Max): While not a heist show, it offers a sprawling, realistic, and deeply complex look at crime, law enforcement, and systemic issues within a city.
- Good Girls (Netflix): A lighter, but still suspenseful, crime dramedy about three suburban mothers who fall into a life of crime to make ends meet.