Netflix's #2 Hit Is an Argentinian Sci-Fi Gem Based on a Cult Comic With 96% on RT

Post-apocalyptic sci-fi stories have been a gold mine in recent years, with projects like The Last of Us, Silo, and Fallout all becoming huge hits.

On April 30, Netflix's new sci-fi thriller The Eternaut entered the game. Created and directed by showrunner Bruno Stagnaro and co-written by Ariel Staltari, the series is adapted from the cult 1957 comic by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and illustrator Francisco Solano López.

Even if you're not familiar with the source material, The Eternaut is a chilling apocalyptic tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

What Is The Eternaut About?

The action begins on an ordinary summer evening in Buenos Aires. Longtime friends, including a man named Juan, gather together, unaware that something sinister is about to happen – until the city's power goes out.

It begins to snow, which in itself seems strange, until the people make a terrifying discovery: these white, fluffy flakes are poisonous and kill instantly upon direct contact with the skin.

Trapped in a city with no power or communication, Juan and other residents must not only find their loved ones, but also unite in the face of a mysterious new threat.

The Eternaut Is a Slow-Burning Sci-Fi Thriller With Impressive Design

At first glance, The Eternaut seems pretty mundane, and it seems that way by design. While the original comic was set in the 1950s, the Netflix adaptation chose to set the story in modern-day Buenos Aires.

This means that the main topics of the story – isolation and the terror of the unknown – have a much greater effect on viewers when the snow begins to fall.

It's when the toxic snowfall begins that The Eternaut reveals its greatest strengths – starting with the visuals, thanks to a team that includes cinematographer Gastón Girod and VFX specialists Pablo Accame and Ignacio Pol.

Normally sunny Buenos Aires is blanketed in white, and it's not only strikingly beautiful – it's ominous. If you notice someone with a few snowflakes on their boots or jacket, it's enough to make your pulse race.

What Did Viewers & Critics Think of The Eternaut?

Viewers praise that the outstanding original source has been brought to the screen with care and respect. Reddit user budaloco wrote:

“So as a fan of the comic and Argentina, I'm proud of what they've done here. They've updated the story for today, and the way the show looks – the sets and everything – is just incredible.”

• The Eternaut has 93% from critics and 95% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the show has a score of 7.7/10.

The Eternaut has already been renewed for Season 2.