The Boarding School is a gripping psychological thriller drama that takes us through the experiences of a group of inner-city students who are sent to a boarding school in the remote countryside to stay out of trouble. Netflix has released this Spanish-language series, originally called El Internado: Las Cumbres. The show, which is exclusive to Amazon Prime Video, follows the lives of a group of teenagers, who quickly realize that the isolated prison-like school is far from being a sanctuary for them and their shocking misadventures.
The Boarding School is set in a fictional location of Las Cumbres, which is nestled in the midst of snow-capped mountains and dense forests. This hostile terrain creates a bleak atmosphere that further amplifies the seclusion of the locals and the students of the boarding school itself. From the very first episode, it is clear that the school is no paradise. While at times, the school appears to be reminiscent of Hogwarts or The Maze Runner, it quickly turns intense, cruel, and violent as the story progresses.
The harsh realities of the boarding school are brought to the fore by the characters that we follow. Each of them is unique and has been sent here for different reasons. There is Paul (Albert Salazar), whose father is a high-ranking government official and has been sent here for the old-fashioned values that the school instills. Then there is Manuel (Alberto Amarilla), whose father is a police detective, and has sent him to the school as a witness protection program. He is bullied on the first day by the school's overlord and his gang, who promptly confiscate his mobile phone. There is also Maria (Asia Ortega), a wild child who is sent here after she was caught doing drugs. Ana (Daniela Rubio) is a quiet and withdrawn student who wants to learn to control her telekinetic abilities.
Amidst these diverse characters, the students quickly realize that the school is run by an iron-fisted principal, Bernarda (Patricia Vico), and her son, Samuel (Ramiro Blas), the school's political henchman. The duo has deliberately isolated the school from the outside world and enforced strict rules and punishments to maintain control. The students are forbidden from using any form of technology, and their access to the internet is restricted.
But as the story progresses, it becomes evident that there are dark forces at work at the school. It is rumored that there is a secret group that calls themselves Saint Cecilia, whose practices are rooted in centuries-old pagan rituals. The students begin to receive messages from inside the school that hint of ominous intentions. In their investigations, they begin to unearth a sinister plot, and soon enough, the students are embroiled in a battle they never saw coming.
The Boarding School is a series that has been shot in cinematic style, with sweeping panoramic shots of the region's landscape. The show's creators have emphasized a dark, gothic atmosphere with elements of suspense and horror, which keeps the audience's attention glued to the screen. It takes on a well-worn premise but manages to breathe new life into it with clever plot twists and turns that make it impossible to guess the outcomes.
Ultimately, the show is a gripping thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats, wondering who will survive until the very end. The Boarding School is available on Amazon Prime Video and is a must-watch for any fan of psychological thrillers. It has received critical acclaim and a massive fan following, with its success spawning spinoffs and similar shows in the vein of the horror genre, making it one of the most talked-about Spanish dramas on-stream.