Ancillary

Game of Thrones. The Walking Dead. Criminal Minds. During the peak of quarantine, when most of America was stuck inside their homes, none of these perennial favorites were at the top of the television charts. Nope. The most in demand show in the country was a small Spanish TV series that was on the brink of getting cancelled. Money Heist, or La Casa de Papel, became the most in demand show not just in the US, but worldwide, after Netflix revived the show at the end of 2017.

So, how did this Spanish crime drama with a painfully generic name and the added difficulty of subtitles make its way into the hearts of so many Americans? Some would attribute the series’ incredible success to the major theme of anti-capitalism/resistance against the system. Because the 2008 financial crash, which set the scene for Money Heist, was a global event, it’s unsurprising that the show has resonated among so many different countries. The mastermind behind the series and show’s director Alex Pina explains, “First and foremost, the series is meant to entertain, but an idea runs underneath. Skepticism towards governments, central banks, the system …” Money Heist has thrived during quarantine in America because of this underlying theme.

Ingrained in the show are several unique symbols of resistance: the Dali masks, the red jumpsuits, and the Bella Ciao. These physical symbols all have historical significance. When the famous Spanish artist Salvador Dali was alive, a lot of his work was created during Zurich’s Dada movement which rejected modern capitalism. The red color symbolizes revolution, and it is also a color of Marxist ideology. And the famed Bella ciao song was used as an anthem against fascist resistance during World War II.

The robin hood story appealed to a wide group of Americans at the start of the pandemic. With the destruction of small businesses that the virus has caused combined with the explosion of the Black Lives Matter movement, the main theme of Money Heist has become incredibly prevalent. Many were frustrated and had enough of the government. Bills could not be paid and times were tough. People yearned for the newfound wealth and opportunity to live a comfortable life that the cast of Money Heist achieved during the show. As well, with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and fight toward equality, the show’s theme of rebellion and the fight for the underserved community rang true with Americans. As a result, Money Heist shot to the top of streaming charts and essentially went viral across the entire country. Now, what implications are associated with the unprecedented rise in popularity in our country?

Although, equally important to the show’s success in America are the incredibly personable and well-crafted characters. All of the members of the crew are strong and powerful in their own way but also all clearly have their own personal flaws. This allows audiences from any country to see themselves in the form of the different characters and be able to feel for them through their struggles and ride alongside them during their triumph. Furthermore, American heist films have traditionally been told with a male Anglo-centric focus. Money Heist enters a new dimension having a strong Spanish identity and a female narrator in one of the protagonists, Tokyo. Additionally, one of the main members of the team, Nairobi, is a strong female lead who accompanies Tokyo. In one of the iconic scenes of the first season, Nairobi takes charge from the male leader of the group, Berlin, and says defiantly, “Let the matriarchy begin!” The strong female presence in the show and the ubiquitous feminist themes ring true with Americans as our country is working through similar issues of female equality and inclusion.

And finally, Money Heist has drawn so much interest from Americans because of its Latin flare. One of the show’s stars Úrsula Corberó describes, ““It has something different, especially for non-Spanish people. We have this way of expressing ourselves, of exchanging our feelings that goes through the screen.” This cultural specificity is one of the show’s main selling points. I think that the Spanish perspective and style appealed to American audiences. The traditional American/ British heist films that are well known in America have a familiar setup: a priceless haul, a perfect plan, and a team of smooth criminals trying to beat the odds and not get caught. While Money Heist certainly does not lack in these areas, it also stands in its own category because of the structure and details of the show that were created for their intended Latin audience.

Director Alex Pina notes: “In Money Heist, feelings, fraternity and love are as important as the plots. A perfect heist, rational and cool, becomes something else when spiced up with Latin emotions.”

So, will Money Heist’s massive success in America pave the way for more Latin entertainment to thrive in our country? Maybe. But what we know for sure is that because of the show’s underlying theme of anti-capitalism and resistance against the system, its relatable and flawed characters, and the show’s cultural specificity and Latin flare, Money Heist was able to thrive across borders and sneak its way into the hearts of millions of Americans.

“To rise up against the system is reckless and idealistic — it’s Don Quixote! -Alex Pina

Works Cited

Alex Pina, creator. La Casa De Papel (Money Heist), Atresmedia & Vancouver Media, 2017–2020. Netflix, www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/80192098

Hartup, Andy. “Terrible Name, Brilliant Show — Why Money Heist Is the Best Netflix TV Show You’re (Probably) Not Watching.” Total Film, GamesRadar+, 23 July 2018, www.gamesradar.com/terrible-name-brilliant-show-why-money-heist-is-the-best-netflix-tv-show-youre-probably-not-watching/.

Jones, Ellen E. “‘It’s Pure Rock’n’roll’: How Money Heist Became Netflix’s Biggest Global Hit.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 2 Apr. 2020, www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/02/how-money-heist-became-netflix-biggest-global-hit.

Katz, Brandon. “Why Netflix’s ‘Money Heist’ Is the Most In-Demand Show in the World.” Observer, Observer, 8 Apr. 2020, observer.com/2020/04/netflix-money-heist-la-casa-de-papel-most-watched/.