Netflix’s La Palma is a four-episode disaster series that follows a Norwegian family and a team of scientists as they face a volcanic eruption on the Canary Islands.
Each episode is under 50 minutes.
The Story
The series follows two parallel arcs: a vacationing family hoping to reconnect during a Christmas holiday getaway and a group of scientists who detect early signs of a volcanic disaster.
As toxic ash and lava engulf the island, the tourists must fight to escape the chaos while the scientists race to prevent an even greater catastrophe.
Performances and Characters
For the Norwegian family, traveling to the island is a tradition they have upheld for seven years. However, we are quickly made to understand that the parents (Fredrik and Jen) have a strained relationship.
The strain in their marriage is evident from the start and bleeds into their interactions with their children—a brooding teenager (Sara) and a younger child (Tobias) who is on the spectrum.
While not all of their conversations are riveting, moments of raw honesty help humanize the parents, turning initially unlikable characters into relatable figures.
The scientists’ storyline centers on two main scientists, Marie and Alvarro.
Marie is a doctoral student who is studying to be a hydrologist at the Institute run by Alvarro.
Alvarro is an expert scientist who previously warned of a tsunami during the eruption of 2021. However, after going public in 2021, it caused mayhem, and he almost lost his job.
Other characters in the series are Marie’s brother (Erik) and Haukur another scientist who works along Marie and Alvarro.
There is also Jen’s brother (Jens Uvdal) who we meet in the later episodes, who works at the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What I Liked About the Series
The series didn’t waste any time building suspense. Its fast pace, especially in the first three episodes, kept my anxiety levels high and made for a gripping start.
The visuals were absolutely stunning. The cinematography was breathtaking, showcasing the natural beauty of the Canary Islands.
From panoramic shots of lava flows to serene underwater sequences, the visuals were a standout element.
I particularly loved the scenes where Maria’s brother went diving with the sea turtles. It was a beautiful contrast to the chaos that was soon to follow.
The volcanic eruption scenes were incredibly realistic, capturing both the awe and terror of such a natural disaster.
I also appreciated how the story explored moral dilemmas and tough decisions during times of crisis.
For instance, when Jen’s brother had to choose between warning his sister’s family about the impending disaster or prioritizing his duty to his job, it felt true to life.
Moments like these grounded the series and made it more believable.
Most importantly, I liked that there was some educational learning from the series. Learning about the sequence of events and dangers that follow a volcanic eruptions.
First, toxic gas will spread, making the mountains a deadly trap. If a tsunami warning follows a volcanic eruption, heading to higher ground won’t save you—the gas will reach you first.
Next, volcanic ash will fill the sky, grounding flights and cutting off any hope of a quick escape.
Finally, the eruption will unleash rivers of lava, triggering destruction and chaos in its path.
What I Didn’t Like About the Series
The first three episodes were solid, building suspense effectively even though we knew the tsunami was coming.
The tension remained strong, keeping me invested in the unfolding chaos.
However, as the finale approached, a few scenes felt disappointingly unrealistic.
Episode four seemed to rely on plot conveniences that pushed believability too far, almost asking viewers to overlook logic for the sake of resolution.
Some moments in Episode four also felt overly safe, undercutting the tension and sense of dread established earlier.
For me, this diluted the impact of the horror and stakes that the story initially promised.
Would I Recommend the Series?
Yes, I would recommend the series.
La Palma is a suspenseful and visually stunning disaster story. The pacing of the series is good, and it does offer moments of genuine tension.
With only four episodes, it’s a quick and engaging watch for fans of survival dramas.
How Would I Rate This Series?
I would rate this limited series a 3 out of 5.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Series Details
- Director: Kasper Barfoed
- Writers: Harald Rosenløw Eeg, Lars Gudmestad
- Main Cast: Anders Baasmo, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Thorbjørn Harr, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Johannes Joner, Jorge de Juan, Iselin Shumba, Amund Harboe
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