Locked Up/ Vis A Vis Season 1 Review: Spain's Prison Drama Is My New Favorite Obsession!

Why have I never heard of "Locked Up" before? This Spanish language series currently has four season on NetFlix. The title translates from "Vis A Vis" (Face To Face) which is prison slang for conjugal visits.

It premiered in 2015 on the Spanish network Antena 3 and later moved to Fox Spain. Since it's launch, "Locked Up" has become very popular and may be the top Spanish international export to date.

You might compare this show to "Orange Is The New Black". Yes, both are about women in prison. But "OITNB" is a comedy drama. "Locked Up" is dark, gritty and full of twists and turns. It doesnt shy away from violence or sexual content. It's more along the lines of Australia's "Wentworth" (which is another of my favorites) but with possibly more shocking content.

Season 1 opens with an accountant named Macarena Ferreiro (Maggie Civantos) who along with her boss/lover stole 7 million Euros. He has skipped town and left her to take the rap. She is sentenced to seven years in the Cruz del Sur Prison. Her bail is very high. Macarena's family (father Leopoldo, mother Encarna, and brother Roman) try to find the money to get her out.

Prison is of course a BIG change for Macarena. On the first night her cellmate is mysteriously murdered. She had a hidden SIM card that shows the possible location of 9 million Euros from the heist that got her thrown into prison. It immediately becomes a hot property as everyone sees it as their way out of jail.

We meet a number of prisoners. There's Zulema Zahir (Najwa Niri). She's season 1's "top dog". We're never sure what she is actually up to-- but odds are its something bad. There's Rizos/Curley (Berta Vasquez). She is Macarena's potential love interest and is definitely a show standout. Curly previously had a relationship with Saray (who now wants to hurt Macarena and blames her for their breakup). There's cellmate Soledad who is in failing health. A news crew is shooting a documentary about life inside the prison so that gives the other characters time to share their feelings on prison life, relationships, raising children, drug use, etc.

In terms of staff, we have the governor Miranda, guards Fabio and Leopoldo and a prison doctor who cant be trusted. There's also several other police officers including Inspector Castillo (who knows Macarena's father from when he was on the police force).

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). I LOVED SEASON 1. Definitely dont let the subtitles dissuade you. "Locked Up" is my new favorite obsession. It follows the story of a women (Macarena) who must adjust to prison life after being sentenced to seven years behind bars. She tries to understand the politics of dealing with both prisoners and staff. There is danger at every turn. The show is gritty and violence. Anyone can die at any time.

"Locked Up" is the first Spanish film to garner international attention. It became a smash sensation in the UK. I dont know why we havent heard more about it in the States. It's highly addictive. And with four seasons currently on NetFlix and a spinoff named "Vis A Vis; El Oasis" (scheduled for release in 2020) there's plenty to catch up on.