This Christmas, Netflix has captivated viewers with the gripping disaster series La Palma, which has quickly become the most-watched show on the platform during the holiday season. This four-part Norwegian series dives deep—literally—into the suspenseful world of volcanic eruptions and survival against nature's wrath.
Set on the idyllic island of La Palma, part of the Canary Islands, the story revolves around Fredrik and Jennifer, who are on their annual holiday with their children. While they’ve been coming here for years, this trip takes an ominous turn as they find themselves caught up in the chaos of impending disaster. Their teenage daughter Sara worries about the growing rift between her mother and stepfather, and their little brother Tobias, who has unique needs, makes for additional family dynamics.
But it’s not just family matters on the loose. While the family hopes to unwind and enjoy the holiday spirit, a lurking threat hangs over them: the dormant volcano at the heart of La Palma is showing signs of activity. The series begins with the unsettling premise of, "it’s not if, but when" the volcano will erupt. When scientists detect alarming signals beneath the surface, the race against time begins.
“It’s Christmas and high season when a Norwegian family checks... beneath the idyll, a danger lurks,” reads the series synopsis, which captures precisely the contrasting tones of joy and dread. Young geologist Marie Ekdal, portrayed by Thea Sofie Loch Næss, is one of the central figures working to understand the volcano’s growing threats. She must convince skeptical colleagues and superiors of the looming disaster, detailing how if the volcano erupts, it could potentially send mountain masses the size of Manhattan tumbling directly to the ocean, triggering the world's largest tsunami.
The show does well to ground the action with relatable personal stakes—unlike many typical disaster epics, there’s no over-the-top melodrama here, just complex characters facing dire circumstances. Critics laud this decision, noting it adds depth to the narrative without losing pace. A reviewer highlighted, "La Palma is fairly typical disaster fare, but the relatively small main cast and lack of melodrama make the show worth a watch, especially because the season is only 4 episodes long and just over 3 hours of runtime." This straightforward nature of storytelling helps keep viewers engaged, moving from personal trials to thrilling escapes seamlessly.
The zeitgeist around La Palma escalated quickly, with fans sharing their binge-watching experiences across social media platforms. “Just binge watched it, really enjoyed it,” one user shared on the Netflix Bangers Facebook group. Posts like this highlight how audiences are gravitating toward this series, underscoring its binge-worthy status. Another commented, “Overall [it was a series] worth watching,” eliciting comments about how intense the viewing experience was.
While many viewers are still clamoring for updates on their favorite long-standing series like Squid Game and Bridgerton, La Palma has emerged as the holiday binge watch every Netflix user didn’t know they needed. It resonates particularly now, not just as escapism but as thrilling entertainment providing reflections on familial bonds and shared stress amid uncontrollable natural forces.
Overall, La Palma showcases Netflix’s ability to deliver compelling drama packed with anxiety and excitement. With increasing emphasis on the scientific impact related to climate change and natural disasters, viewers are drawn to stories grounded not only in survival but choices made under pressure. Will the family mentioned make it out unscathed? Audiences are pouring over these questions as the series continues to engage more viewers during this festive time.
With its fresh take on the disaster genre, La Palma reminds viewers of the primal fears rooted within humanity—the struggle against nature, the importance of family, and the ultimate question of survival. Whether audiences are seeking heartfelt family connections or gripping thrills, La Palma offers both, making it the ideal choice for those snuggled up on the couch this holiday season.
La Palma has certainly proven to be much more than just another disaster flick—it’s found its place as the must-see binge-watch of the season, and viewers are none too shy to sing its praises.
