As well-worn as the subgenre is, “what would you do?” thrillers just hit that sweet spot. Combine this with an effectively executed gimmick and genuine moral ambiguity, and we get the surprisingly addictive That Night. Here, the scenario is: what would you do if your sibling called you in the middle of the night and confessed they killed someone? Then, the next episode begins, and the scenario changes as the events are told from a different perspective, catalyzing a series of unreliable narrators and shifting realities all stemming from that night. The kicker? Even the night in question changes.
Created by Jason George (Narcos), this Spanish thriller is an adaptation of a 2021 page-turner of the same name by British author Gillian McAllister and unfolds treacherously, peeling back layers of story and of the family dynamics at the crux of it all. It may begin as a high-stakes thriller about the consequences of an unwitting kill, but That Night evolves into a far more resonant family drama, one that gorgeously and quite painfully questions the worth of family loyalty.
What Is ‘That Night’ About?
In the sunny Dominican Republic, happy-go-lucky Cris (Paula Usero) locks up her recently established animal shelter and picks up a fateful phone call from her youngest sister Elena (Clara Galle). As any good sister should, Cris hears the tears in Elena’s voice and immediately comes to the rescue, finding her car parked on a dirt road near the beach. When she arrives, their third sister, Paula (Claudia Salas), is already there, and they are aghast to see the dead body of a policeman jutting from underneath Elena’s car.
Between arguments, they decide to bury the body and dispose of the evidence, helping Elena, who is also a single mother to a one-year-old, evade prison. In doing so, the sisters’ bond is strained as they’re forced to face the consequences of all the secrets that lurked around that night, ones that ripple and alter their family forever.
‘That Night’ Refreshes Two Overused Techniques in the Thriller Genre
Initially, going into That Night, the show appears to be relying on two clichés to attract attention: the self-insert hook and the Rashomon effect. Admittedly, the combination of the two makes for an engaging, if not gimmicky, watch, but once the novelty wears off halfway through the second episode, where we witness the same narrative beats just from a different perspective, it’s clear that this route isn’t sustainable. They tread the same ground and arrive at the same endpoint while only incrementally shedding light on the central mystery, focusing on characterization instead. However, once the series emerges from this repetitive period, that’s when it really takes off — with Episode 3 rewriting all your expectations.
From the third episode onward, That Night demonstrates the true power of combining these two techniques, as the truth not only changes forms but also how we interact with the show. As we’re forced to consider different perspectives, another “what would you do?” arises, each more morally ambiguous than the previous. It’s as if the show were pushing our boundaries rather than just the characters’, inviting us into the fold on an unnerving level. The plotting itself is relatively straightforward but confident nonetheless, ensuring the POV shifts don’t become disorienting while still maintaining a provocative atmosphere in its questions of fluid ethics and loyalty.
Episode 3 also marks a drastic tonal shift from a fairly standard thriller laced with dark comedy to something with far more weight and devastation. That Night deftly becomes an insightful dissertation on family dynamics, giving each relationship a fair shake and exploring how far fidelity can actually go before it buckles under the weight of guilt, reason, or justice. What remains throughout the series is a steadfast suspense, especially once we grow to distrust the narrators’ retelling of events or as we empathize with their viewpoint and actions. Episodes hit around the 40-minute mark, each tightly woven and generally fast-paced in the emotions and ramifications it explores, rather than the progression of the plot itself.
Family Tensions Are Beautifully Explored in ‘That Night’
The relationships between Paula, Cris, and Elena make up most of That Night‘s meticulous investigation into family and morality, where each actor effortlessly plays into their characters’ idiosyncrasies. Usero makes Cris delightfully naive and impulsive, then achingly tears off the rose-colored glasses in an increasingly conflicted spiral, while Salas gives Paula a dry wit and fierce protectiveness over her sisters that feels authentic and desperate. Galle, however, stands out as Elena, whose custody over her precious daughter has just been threatened by her own actions, sending her into a wretched state that is tantalizing to watch unfold. Their chemistry and credibility as sisters is what makes That Night possible, each vastly different but bound by a tragic childhood and present.
As far as the supporting cast goes, Paula’s wife, played by Nüll García, is probably in the most polarizing role in the story, yet García manages to garner sympathy — a difficult and commendable feat. In a similar position is Pedro Casablanc, who gives a particularly gut-wrenching performance later in the series, contrasting neatly with his character’s initial zealous and disparaging attitude towards the sisters. That Night strikes a balance between highlighting the central triangle while giving platforms for these other characters to shine, a balance that becomes integral to its ability to manipulate the viewer’s perception of how far you’re supposed to go for those you love.
Every character in That Night is deeply flawed in some way or another, and their moments of humanity never necessarily redeem them, but instead paint a holistic, contemplative portrait of a person struggling between their morality and their love. Within this gray area is where the show hits its stride, where its capacity to enthrall using two seemingly tired thriller tropes resides. It may start on uneven ground, but once it truly starts digging up the truths and questions the characters would rather ignore, there’s no going back.
That Night premieres March 13 on Netflix.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
Cast
- That Night blends and revitalizes two generally overused thriller tropes. The show is strongest when it starts chipping away at family dynamics and loyalty.
- Clara Galle’s performance evolves magnetically and tragically.
- The beginning of the show can become repetitive due to the multiple POVs.
