Untamed Review- Untamed is a straightforward thriller set against the breathtaking backdrop of Yosemite National Park in California. Eric Bana stars as Kyle Turner, a tough special agent who’s more comfortable on horseback and in silence than with technology or small talk. The show feels a bit old-fashioned, almost like something from the 1990s, even though it includes a last-minute smartphone plot. It doesn’t touch on the political controversies around park rangers but focuses purely on action and mystery.
Simple but visually beautiful
This show is easy to watch—no deep twists or complex plots, just a good-looking adventure with some classic detective work. Kyle Turner is technically not a park ranger, but an ISB Special Agent with extra police powers. He’s rough around the edges, drinks bourbon, and carries the weight of a personal tragedy, but he never lets that affect his job. Turner’s character is a bit of a fairytale: he knows Yosemite like the back of his hand and can find tiny clues hidden in the vast wilderness.
Mystery starts with a deadly fall
The story begins when two climbers on the famous El Capitan find a woman’s body tangled in their ropes. Was she attacked by an animal or something worse? Turner, fearless as ever, ignores warnings of lightning to investigate. Like a real-life Bear Grylls with a badge, he carefully studies details—plants in her hand, absence of animal tracks—and says things like, “This is not LA. Things happen different out here.” His sharp eye leads him deeper into a dangerous mystery beneath Yosemite’s tourist-friendly surface.
From weekly case to dark conspiracy
At first, Untamed feels like a typical weekly detective show, similar to Elsbeth or Poker Face, but with none of their humor. The single case expands into a larger criminal conspiracy, adding a dark, rural noir feel. Turner is haunted by his past and trapped by his own demons in the wild. His young partner, Vasquez , is an ex-LA cop running from her own troubles. She thinks Turner just moved in recently, but he’s been living in the park for years.
Strong supporting roles
The supporting cast shines, with Sam Neill as Turner’s boss and friend Captain Souter, who tries to protect him from the park’s PR-focused superintendent, whose priority is keeping tourists happy. Rosemarie DeWitt plays Turner’s ex-wife, with whom he shares a complicated relationship. While most scenes stick to trails and cabins, the show sometimes ramps up the action with helicopters and explosions.
A missed chance for a sharper thriller
While Untamed delivers a serviceable thriller, it feels like a missed opportunity for something more refined. The twists are predictable, Turner is the classic flawed hero everyone depends on, and female characters mainly exist to be rescued. If you dislike prolonged shots of women’s bodies in morgues, this series may not suit you.
The spirit of 2025 US TV: rugged and outdoorsy
Untamed opens with sweeping views of forests and mountains, then fades to an American flag. It features bear attacks, gunfights, and intense revenge stories. It’s not the smartest thriller out there, but the stunning Yosemite scenery makes it a visually pleasing watch.
