Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky, violent book-based thriller has drinking, drugs.
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Why Age 16+?
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Red Queen
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Adapted from the first book in a popular Spanish trilogy written by Juan Gómez-Jurado, RED QUEEN (aka Reina roja) is a thriller about a pair of investigators' efforts to track down a serial killer. After being caught planting drugs in the car of a pimp who is abusing a young sex worker, Agent Jon Gutierrez (Hovik Keuchkerian) finds himself in hot water. But the shadowy head of a secret police organization named Mentor (Alex Brendemuhl) offers to help him if he can convince former secret police operative Antonia Scott (Vicky Luengo) to return to service and investigate a crime that seems linked to her past. Antonia (the most intelligent person in the world thanks to a 242 IQ and a perfect memory), agrees to return, but her own trauma-induced struggles are never far away. Nonetheless, after examining the body of a teen boy who was ritualistically murdered, she determines that they are dealing with a killer who carefully plans how he captures and ends the lives of victims. Antonia and Gutierrez begin working together to discover who it is, but a high-profile kidnapping increases the pressure, and soon Antonia's past begins to collide with the present. Time is of the essence, and the pair both know that they'll have to work quickly if they have any chance of stopping the person responsible for these acts of horror.
Is It Any Good?
This dark book adaptation combines elements from police procedurals and crime thrillers. Red Queen is enhanced by well-developed and compellingly flawed characters. Antonia Scott is a strong, intriguing figure with an interesting backstory and an uncanny ability to work forensic cases. However, it's often Agent Jon Gutierrez that steals scenes thanks to his well-timed humorous quips. Together, they form a quirky pair that stands out against the gloom and doom of the case they're working. Granted, the murder plots and the cat-and-mouse games that ensue aren't particularly original. But Red Queen's cast is, and combined with good writing, makes it an entertaining series worth committing to.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about being the smartest person in the world. What kind of pressure would you face if you had an IQ as high as Antonia's? What has her life been like because of it?
Why is the series called Red Queen? Who or what goes by that title? What does it mean?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 29, 2024
- Cast : Alex Brendemühl
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , STEM
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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