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Money Heist: The Phenomenon
By Brian Costello,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Behind-the-scenes look at popular series; violence, cursing.
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Money Heist: The Phenomenon
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What's the Story?
MONEY HEIST: THE PHENOMENON takes a behind-the-scenes look at the hit Netflix crime-thriller series. Based in Spain, Money Heist had a successful first season, and then the audience began to drop off during the second season. That changed when Netflix got involved, and now Money Heist is an international phenomenon. This documentary takes a closer look at the show's global success, the show's enthusiastic fan base, and how the success of the show has changed the lives of the actors. The program also reveals the approach the show's creators and writers take when developing the story and the characters, and shows some examples of the logistical nightmares they faced while trying to film some of the show's more challenging scenes.
Is It Any Good?
It's basically a promotional video, but this documentary offers a bit more than the standard fare of programs like these. While there are plenty of highlights from the first three seasons, the special also offers a glimpse into the audacious approach and creative process of the show's creators and writers. For aspiring screenwriters, Money Heist: The Phenomenon is a study in how to develop characters, create story arcs, and give the audience the unexpected. For those interested in careers in film and television, the documentary presents the highs, lows, long hours, high stress, and high rewards that go into filming some of the show's more elaborate scenes.
Obviously, this is best for those who are already fans of Money Heist, as there are some spoilers in what is also a preview of the fourth season and a recap of some of the surprising moments from the last season. In spite of these spoilers, for those unfamiliar with Money Heist, the documentary does a very good job of showing not only the international appeal of the show, but also what it is that makes the show such a worldwide sensation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about behind-the-scenes documentaries. Do you think these tend to be little more than promotional videos instead of showing the viewer what it's actually like to work on the sets of their favorite shows? Why or why not?
How does Money Heist: The Phenomenon present the creative process and "rules" for telling the characters' stories? How might these rules be helpful to aspiring screenwriters?
How does the documentary show the challenges faced by the cast and crew of this show? What would be some takeaways for those interested in careers in film or television?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: April 3, 2020
- Cast: Ursula Corbero , Alvaro Morte , Itziar Ituño
- Director: Pablo Lejaretta
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Run time: 57 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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