Ángela on Netflix: A dangerous escape in a tense Spanish thriller

Ángela, a new Netflix thriller from Spain, follows Ángela (Verónica Sánchez), who appears to have built a life she loves in the coastal town of Mungia. Her husband, Gonzalo (Daniel Grao), is a respected architect and a seemingly supportive stepfather to her two daughters. But the surface hides a different reality: Gonzalo is controlling and abusive, and his anger has intensified since Ángela reported him to authorities in connection with the abuse or business matters that are unclear. When two friends ask Ángela to work on their house designs, she knows Gonzalo won't approve. An argument ends with him choking her against a window, a sign of the danger he represents.

While Gonzalo is away on a business trip, a delivery driver Edu (Jaime Zatarain) delivers flowers and begins texting Ángela after recognizing her from high school, where she was known as 'Angie.' He flirts, and they eventually meet at a house the owners are away from. He notices makeup on her neck that covers the marks from Gonzalo's abuse. He suggests she should leave, but Ángela remains loyal, partly due to the life he provided her and her daughters after they came together, complicating her desire to leave. The two continue to spend time together, including a beach encounter that triggers a decision to cut ties. Edu shows up the next day with shocking information that could change everything. The show reveals in its opening episode that Edu is not merely a former classmate but a hitman hired by Gonzalo to kill Ángela, who then develops genuine feelings for her. The idea of a hitman who falls for a target is a narrative twist that raises questions about trust and motive, and it invites viewers to reassess what they think they know about the characters. Spoilers follow.

Ángela is based on the 2021 British series Angela Black, and early reception notes compare the tone to Fatal Attraction—emphasizing trust, danger, and a central relationship that could be more perilous than the marriage itself. The six-part thriller presents a straightforward setup on its first episode, leaning on clear storytelling and strong performances to establish the mood before any deeper twists unfold.

Verónica Sánchez anchors the show with a poised, vulnerable portrayal of Ángela, while Daniel Grao portrays Gonzalo as the controlling force she cannot easily escape. Edu, played by Jaime Zatarain, remains a wildcard whose motives shift as the story progresses. The opening hour also suggests that the rest of the cast will serve to heighten the stakes without overshadowing the central dynamic.

Sex and skin are minimal in the premiere, but the emotional and psychological heat is high, as the series toys with the line between protection and manipulation. Critics have described Ángela as pulpy and melodramatic, yet it offers a clear throughline and capable acting that could sustain the six-episode arc and deliver a pulse-pounding conclusion if the narrative maintains its momentum.

Our take: STREAM IT. Ángela is a provocative thriller that uses a familiar premise to explore trust and danger in an intimate setting. With a brisk setup, solid performances, and a setup that invites further twists, it could prove satisfying as the six-part journey unfolds on Netflix.