Netflix viewers have been advised to avoid a new trending series, with critics branding it ‘a complete waste of time.’
La Palma, currently sitting at number four on Netflix’s most-watched list, was launched two weeks ago on December 12. However, as audiences tune in over the holiday season, many have taken to social media to voice their strong criticisms.
Set against the backdrop of the Canary Islands, the disaster series centres around a Norwegian family of four on holiday, who find themselves trying to escape a lethal tsunami.
With the help of geological researchers, the family must convince the authorities to act against the impending ecological disaster that threatens not only the island but also neighbouring continents.
The Norwegian drama features Westworld’s Ingrid Bols Berdal and Exit’s Anders Baasmo Christiansen as the lead couple, Jennifer and Fredrik, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Joining them are fresh faces Alma Gunther and Bernard Storm Lager, who portray their children Sara and Tobias.
Since its premiere, the four-part thriller has yet to secure a Rotten Tomatoes rating, with only three critics having submitted reviews so far. However, viewers haven’t held back in expressing their disappointment, awarding the show a dismal 30% score.
One disgruntled viewer wrote: “Terrible plot and by the end I was rooting for the tsunami. I only gave it one star because there were some cool scenes that were not related to the insipid dysfunctional family storyline. Save your time and watch something else.”
Another disappointed reviewer lamented: “Absolutely s**** you’ve heard of B movies/series but this is an E, Cut your toenails or do something constructive, 3 hours of my life wasted.”
The sentiments were echoed on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, where more viewers aired their grievances.
One user harshly reviewed Netflix’s ‘La Palma,’ saying: “OK, here to report that the new show on Netflix ‘La Palma’ is a complete waste of time and quite infuriating at some points. If you want to watch a tsunami-related story, ‘The Impossible’ with Naomi Watts is it. Look no further.”
Another chimed in with disappointment: “I watched La Palma on Netflix yesterday. Don’t bother. In a word s***! ” And one added insult to injury, stating: “La Palma on Netflix p***** me off from start to finish.”
However, amidst the critical backlash, there were those who found themselves hooked by the series, with one viewer admitting: “The plot for La Palma on Netflix is so absurd I couldn’t stop watching to see how much more ridiculous they could get.”
Praise also emerged from a fan who said: “Started watching this [La Palma] a few nights ago. Really good. Starting the final episode now.”
Unlike acclaimed natural disaster films such as ‘The Impossible’, ‘La Palma’ does not draw from a true-life event.
Despite its fabricated storyline, the setting of the island and the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge are authentic locations, with the latter having experienced an eruption as recently as 2021.
La Palma is now on Netflix