Burning Body (TV Mini Series 2023) Poster

(2023)

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8/10
Great mini series but terrible crime
danielcereto10 September 2023
I am Catalan/Spaniard so I was expecting this mini series because I knew about this terrible crime/story. To be honest, the cast and direction here does an excellent job. Almost everything is great except for the crime.

First, the story is around 80% true so it is important to know that this crime had happened almost identical as the producers here want to explain.

Second, I have enjoyed the settings. Real and pretty similar to real life. I appreciate they used real locations and places where they used to move.

Last, there is something I don't really liked here. The music. It does not really fit well here. Forced, and nothing to do with the story. There was one time were I had to turn the volume down.

Anyway, nothing is perfect. But this mini series is great and I recommend to everyone who love inspired on true events, crime fiction. Enjoy!
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8/10
Entertaining and well structured
geca0526 September 2023
This show is based on the true story of Rosa Peral, a member of the Barcelona police department, which was sentenced of 25 years in prison after the burnt body of her lover was found inside of his car.

The show compile a lot of the original facts from the case but also uses the drama to add a lot of what was the scandal back then when the case burst in social media. They used this show to reconstruct, of course with a lot of modification of some facts, how the inspectors came up with a story, a plan, to get her and her other lover (Albert Lopez) arrested for the crime.

I believe the show is worth to watch, very good produce, the music, the actors represente a superb role, specially Ursula Corberó who interpreted Rosa, and overall, makes you think and feel the intention of the show.
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8/10
Really Good "Waste of Time"
ruthann-zaroff15 September 2023
I had no preconceived notions going in. Just looking for a murder mystery. I am a huge fan of true crime drama, and also procedural forensics. Yeah, if you are in search of a cinematic "tour de France" (joke turn of phrase that my late husband always used, instead on "tour de force"), this isn't it.

This way exceeded my expectations. I am not a native Spanish speaker, but I know enough to decipher the lyrics of the periodic background songs -- so the soundtrack is excellent, and is a sort of character in the story. To know this is a true story is telling within the framework of the series. This is a series that should be binge watched.
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7/10
A good start and ending
anouk-hougardy10 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I really liked the start of this mini-serie. The first to episodes got me triggered to watch the rest. The actress whom played Rosa did a very great job. Episode 3 and 4 were a bit boring and I wondered if I still wanted to watch it. Rosa has a twisted mind to manipulate everyone around her. Even her parents until the very end. Pedro was toxic however the couple together were both toxic and there was no reason for him to die. I felt bad for 'dummy' Albert. He really did love Rosa and he was willing to do everything for her. Rosa could have everything what she wanted but she loved to make everything a mess. Therefor the ended the way she did. I liked episode 1/2/6/7/8 therefore my score. I think it had mor potentional if they made it shorter.
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7/10
Fewer episodes would be just enough
kat_vg21 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The point that this is based on a true story makes it a great TV show. Actors are pretty good but some dialogues were so fake and not really something you would hear in real life. There are some holes in the plot and I believe that reason for that is the amount of episodes. Yet, I think they could've focus more on those plot points more then boring dialogues and empty scenes.

Just one example is that Rosa was obviously lying to the the detective in the beginning, and after the detective found out the truth, it's like the first dialogue never happened.

Unfortunately it was a bit boring by the end, so I personally would love if it was less episodes. But never the less, a good watch.
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6/10
Good!
lrr10020048 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is based on Rosa Peral and they also have the Rosa Peral's Tapes that came out at the same time too on Netflix. I watched this first, then the tapes. Ursula is one actress I really like. She knows how to keep her emotions in check. I appreciate her work. The first time I saw her was in The Tree of Blood. Leah.

I am repeating this because my characters were too short. This is based on Rosa Peral and they also have the Rosa Peral's Tapes that came out at the same time too on Netflix. I watched this first, then the tapes. Ursula is one actress I really like. I appreciate her and her work!!!
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6/10
A story of power, betrayal and revenge
Kukkahattuseta17 January 2024
At first, the series seemed like a pretty standard police thriller. It was mediocre in every respect. I don't mean this in a bad way. All the pieces were in place, but the series didn't seem to offer anything new and special.

However, the series slowly builds up and eventually it becomes about power and how any power corrupts. And revenge. This series was about Rosa. Her constant dissatisfaction and how she used her charm as an instrument of power in an environment full of immature macho men. A love of self and power. The notion that there are no limits and everyone can be manipulated without consequence. Until the consequences come.

I have to say that Rosa was an absolutely horrible person. Manipulative and arrogant, narcissistic. Men were mostly just stupid and seduced by their penises. I don't really understand these men. No self-respect whatsoever. Pathetic. Úrsula Corberó, who played Rosa, gave a good performance. It was so strong that you really started to hate the character.

The weakness of the series is the same that plagues many series. The series was prolonged for no good reason. It's good to take your time to build a set-up, but in this series things were repeated, repetitive and over-emphasised. The same things were underlined many times. A hint would have been enough in many cases. Confidence in the viewer. Of course, this is business and we wanted more episodes. In any case, the series would have been better as more concise. 4-6 episodes would have been just fine.

Still, worth a watch.
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9/10
A Fiery Tale of Love and Betrayal. ...
yashhraaj9 September 2023
Now streaming on Netflix (released on 8th September 2023), this limited series, primarily in Spanish, delves into a harrowing tale inspired by true events. I opted for the English-dubbed version, providing a more familiar auditory experience.

At the heart of the story lies the brutal murder of a police officer, burned beyond recognition. Suspicion quickly narrows down to two other agents intricately connected to the deceased: his girlfriend and her secret lover. What unfolds is an intricate web of relationships, motives, and dark secrets, further emphasized by the real-life recordings featured in "Rosa Peral's Tapes", which Netflix has made available concurrently.

Úrsula Corberó, whom many might recognize as Tokyo from the hit series "Money Heist" (2017-21), takes center stage, portraying Rosa Peral. Her performance is stellar; she excels in capturing the essence of a character battling internal tumult. Her controlled demeanor and ability to convey raw emotion without overt theatrics only amplify the suspense. Admittedly, it was her reputation from "Money Heist" that drew me to "Burning Body" in the first place.

Though the pacing is deliberate, every scene drips with tension. Every character is masterfully fleshed out, carrying layers of depth and mystery. The meticulously crafted storyline, paired with a contemplative ending, solidifies "Burning Body" as a gem within the 'Dark Crime Thriller' genre. The fact that this tale mirrors real-life events only adds to its allure.

Despite its merits, I did find the series occasionally languid, docking a star for the same. However, for those with a penchant for gripping narratives and real-life mysteries, "Burning Body" is an absolute must-watch.
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6/10
Its Target Demographic Should Like it
IslandMyst10 September 2023
It's just a story about a narcissistic police woman swinging from man to man and back and back again. The show can definitely hold ones interest, but there's no actual love in this love and betrayal story.

I think the first part of the show is meant to be the spicy, steamy romance part that some women lust for but would never do. You're constantly shaking your head at how contemptible the characters are. Women are clearly the target demographic. I was forced to watch it by some ladies :)

The crime half of the show is also interesting in spite of the fact that the crime itself made zero sense. But I won't blame the writing for this as apparently it's based on a true story. Some aspects of it seemed farfetched, such as placing both defendants together multiple times.
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5/10
It just drags.
SpacemanBob13 September 2023
If you know the details of the story, it's just not very entertaining. Perhaps because I just watched the documentary series, that this dramatic retelling feels redundant. With nothing especially gripping about either the story telling, the acting, or the level of suspense, I got bored with it quickly. It seemed to drag on and on. They could have done this in a 90 minute movie.

This is an interesting case, and the documentary series is very good, I highly recommend it. I probably would have liked this dramatic series more if I hadn't known the details of the case going into it. Instead, I wanted it to be over after about 3 episodes, just to get to the end.
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9/10
... one of the finest series of the year so far
bjarias28 September 2023
... Ursula Corbero a-real-deal-star ... acts the hell out of this very-well-done-production.. impossible taking eyes off her when she's onscreen, dominates every scene she's in... entire cast is truly exceptional.. this one of the finest productions not just from Spain, but from world-over

... when portraying a character that's a horrible individual, doing it as well as Corbero does, it's a testament to her consummate abilities as a really-great-actor... Netflix has a huge winner here, one of the finest on its current roster, it should remain on top for quite some time, and will be hard matching.. bravo-Netflix

... 6h 43min... give yourself time,.. you'll be hard pressed to stop watching straight through.
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6/10
Hard to grasp
nward-3029430 September 2023
This production jumps all over the place too much. I have to keep pausing to figure out who she is with and where in the storyline it might be. I usually enjoy the Mexican and Spanish productions as they are so different from American film. I realize it's based on a true story but there could be an easier way to tell it like maybe adding years or dates as sub titles to it. Some of the characters aren't that camera friendly either. If you want a long lasting series try Malverdere. That keeps you on your toes. I am running out of things to say about this particular production so over and out. Don't know if I would recommend it.
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5/10
Confusing Crime
CyricTheCynic14 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This show is framed as a sort of who-done-it regarding the murder, but the culprit is more or less revealed by the second episode. You may wonder, how can an 8 episode series be compelling when you already know who the killer is early into it? Well, it can't. By the last few episodes when they finally show flashbacks of the actual crime, it's like "uh yeah, we already know who did it". There are no twists, nor anything to even remotely justify why the killer did what they did. I know this was based on a true story/crime, but if so, it must have been an incredibly stupid crime because the killer literally has no justification and/or motivation whatsoever. I don't know if that is consistent with the actual crime, but it makes for very confusing TV. It's a shame, Tokyo (Ursala) is a good actress and the other actors do a decent job but the whole premise and story are just so non-sensical the only emotion it left me with was "huh?".
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7/10
Predictible
erhanipekciler21 October 2023
First of all I have to say very complicated story. I didn't watch documentary or I had no idea about story before but it is unnecessarily complicated. For understanding everything it is a series with 8 episodes. So thank you for too much details. Basically love, betrayal, revenge story, I also belive that in my country there are lots of story like that in real life..I have to say something about cast, it is really good, good characterizations. I love Ursula Corbero, she is soo beautiful, she was nice in casa del papel but in here she is also sexy. Also male characters look hot. I don't know maybe because of Latin blood. They are all good. Anyway watchable, after 3rd episode you can understand what is going on exactly but still you will want to watch.. I prefer something shorter version but it is also OK.
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6/10
[5.8] The title bears more thrill than the show
cjonesas26 October 2023
A weak series with minimal flow and vibe, uninteresting storyline plots and sub-plots, just accompanied with good score and music, acting of which is nothing special besides Ursula Corbero's smiles and tears.

It heavily lacks in real drama and dramatic moments, truthful to the story, lacking any thrill, any cold close encounters and it's like 8 linear episodes with jumbled timelines filmed and sort of forcefully and artificially played exactly according to the script and the director's wishes.

Expected more from it, but it didn't delivered.

  • Screenplay/storyline/plots: 6
  • Development: 7.5
  • Realism: 7
  • Entertainment: 5
  • Acting: 7
  • Filming/photography/cinematography: 7
  • VFX: 4
  • Music/score: 7.5
  • Depth: 6.5
  • Logic: 5.5
  • Flow: 2.5
  • Biography/crime/drama: 5
  • Ending: 4.5.
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10/10
Intriguing Watch
eandmshafer11 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I gave it a 10 because it kept me capitivated. Somehow I originally missed that it was true crime. Rose was a p.o.s. As a woman and totally without humanity. I cannot blame it on her being an only, and spoiled, child. She just had evil in her DNA, born that way, certainly not inherited. Her parent's moral dilema, first lying for her, then coming clean. How would we choose if our child was involved? I have previously thought about that; and for me, the answer is that it would depend upon the circumstances. It was not a feel-good movie but one of morality and humanity, or lack of. I highly recommend this movie. It gives one pause.
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3/10
Boring, illogical, stupid characters
deneckert29 March 2024
I can't say whether it's specific fans who praise and rate this series highly or whatever else might be the reason for it. It's just plain bad. The characters are all unsympathetic, the lead actress unbearable, sometimes overly theatrical, and mostly surprisingly stupid. The whole plot is dragged out so much that I've actually increased the playback speed for the first time.

If the true story behind it did indeed unfold like that, it's definitely not worth a film adaptation. The first episode at least is promising enough that at that point you still have hope it will get better, but that's definitely not the case.
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9/10
Tontoelbobo!
Guanche4812 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
What a surprise, I saw the series in 3 days! The reconstruction of this murder case is really well done and I'm glad they filmed it since there were details that I didn't know. The level of manipulation of Rosa Peral combined with the level of stupidity of the man involved are also fascinating!.

This is a terrifyin, exciting and psychopathic story until the very end. It didn't bore me for a second, well I'm also a big fan of crime and psychopath series, and if they are based on real events and well made like this series, even better. Reality surpasses fiction again!

I knew about this crime, I had seen and read things in the Spanish news. It is pure horror, also being police officers makes it even more morbid, if I may say so. Did they think they were going to get away with it because they were police officers? Maybe.

Even with her daughter in front of her, she throws herself into everything that is dangerous, I understand that the girl was small but also smart, maybe they could have investigated more there too, at the very beginning of the case.

The actress Úrsula Corberó plays Rosa Peral wonderfully, a good actress, and to be honest all the actors are great.

I agree with what I read in another review, the music has not been well chosen, too intens loving at times and not related to the theme at all, and also the volume, I had to lower it on several occasions, that is my only negative.

This woman has no soul and only thinks about her, she will never know the damage she did to her family and friends.

I just started watching Rosa Peral's tapes, and you can perfectly see how manipulative and psychopath she is. All the evidence proves it, and there is a lot. Pure evil. And don't get me wrong, also the man who participated in the crime is evil.

Don't miss it !
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4/10
Not good!
RachelMary215 November 2023
I didn't know anything about the facts of this case before watching. Could have been a really interesting, tense and engaging adaptation of those facts, but it wasn't.

This dragged on and was boring. I think even half the duration would still have been too long. One of the big problems was the editing and soundtrack. There was scene after scene (one episode seemed entirely dedicated to such scenes) which was just people looking at each other, or looking at nothing in particular, and emotive music going on. Playing music while people look at each other is not very engaging or entertaining. It just seemed lazy and disjointed with the story, like they couldn't make up their minds if this was a thriller or a romance or a docudrama and thought they'd play music so viewers wouldn't notice?

I don't know why this wasn't a two or three episode series, and I think I'd have rather they had used the detective and her investigation as a storytelling focus rather than the confusing ensemble they went with instead. It needed more clarity and focus to pull the different narratives togther.
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9/10
Really good directing/acting
roxanagrec2 October 2023
The series shows the true story in an interesting way, it keeps you hooked and the directing choices put it all together so good.

The acting is great from all parts, adding to the dramatism of this being a true story. I like the directing choice of having the messages read aloud, it gives it a different perspective and a dramatic effect.

Even if you know the story from news, it is definitely worth it to see how it plays out, giving you small pieces in every episode.

Úrsula Corberó is absolutely perfect to play the role of Rosa, she is really good in keeping you interested in her story and in the first episodes, convinces you to be on her side.
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5/10
Predictable, but ok.
xykatexy11 September 2023
The series takes a real life case "Caso de la Guardia Urbana" and dramatizes it, adding and subtracting details to captivate the viewers. I am not sure what I feel about a real crime being dramatized to such an extent, but the series does its best in not insulting the victim, so I guess it can pass.

The series, as the title goes as well, is about a burnt body of a police officer, Pedro Rodrigues, found in his car outside the city. Pedro's current partner, Rosa Peral, is the main protagonist of the story, and we see many other characters involved in what seems like her own web of lies, manipulation, relationships, betrayal.

If it were a novel, it would be a mandatory beach read for women in their 30-40s, I feel. And the series targets its audience very directly too. I found it entertaining, if a little predictable. Even if I didn't know of the real case before, I found that I could predict the sequence of events.

I found the acting to be very good, I especially admired Ursula Corbero in this role. They chose to represent Rosa Peral as a master manipulator, and Ursula has managed to depict this really well.

Since it was representing a real event, it could not deviate as much from the real course of events, I imagine. Still, it did not get me stuck to the screen or dying to see the next episode. The series is good, that's it. Would I recommend it? Maybe, but not to everyone. And it won't be the first to mention either.
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8/10
Excellent drama series
mmillington5547 October 2023
I didn't know that this was based a real case before I started to watch it. Approached as pure drama it is a magnificent piece of work. Very well written - the twists and turns of the story unfold gradually as the viewer is taken through the facts and fictions of the case, and perceptions of the characters change as their actual actions are revealed. The acting is very good too. The two leads - both sultry, hot and erotic - add some sexual charge to the drama, which underlies the entire case: Two people who find it difficult to keep their hands off each other. How close this is to the actual case, I do not know. But as drama it worked very well indeed.
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8/10
Amazing cast bringing a terrible story
hansj-verhoeven28 October 2023
It all circles around the main character Rosa, played by Úrsula Corberó. Ursula is an amazing actress, performs very believable, sometimes too believable. That also applies to the rest of the cast by the way. The story is real and chilling and nicely brought to the screen by both director and camera work. Only I would have chosen for a shorter version with less details. Nevertheless it captivates and is heavy in a sense that it is difficult to bing watch. After the last episode I needed to come back to my senses; due to the great performances and chilling story. I recommend this series especially to commemorate the victims in this story.
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2/10
the music is horrible it's very annoying
rihamyazeed19 September 2023
Poor series. The music is horrible it's very annoying. Great acting. I loved the main female actress from money heist but I just couldn't like her in this. She played a disgusting cheating scoundrel. There's just no saving grace for her character. She's a power trip cop that lies for her equally disgusting partner in crime. This ain't even a love story like Bonnie and Clyde just 2 evil people lusting over each others bodies and power. I didn't watch the documentary so I can't give comments on the accuracy i can only speak on what I've watched which is the series and honestly I didn't like it at all.
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9/10
Cautionary tale
vicky-movies3 January 2024
The moral of this story is simple: keep your peepers in your sockets and your hormones in check when you spot something yummy. Especially if you're stuck in a crappy relationship that's going nowhere. It's better to dump your partner nicely before you hop into another sack. Otherwise, you'll end up in a sticky situation that will become hard to escape.

The actors nailed it. I was so mad at the female lead for being such a dumb-dumb. ...... The acting was that good!!! The director was on point. (duh. It was a true story. How hard could it be .. :D) It's hilarious how this mini series proves that "truth is weirder than fiction". I say mini series because there's no way they can make more seasons. The real people this series is based on are locked up for a very very long time. I might actually be dead when they are released. I'm 45, by the way.
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