Burning Body, a Spanish Netflix drama, takes us on a captivating journey inspired by real events from 2017. While the series begins with a true story, it skillfully weaves in creative elements to craft a fictional version of events. At the center of this gripping tale is Rosa Peral, a deeply flawed character who becomes implicated in the death of her partner, Pedro Rodriguez. Alongside her lover, Albert Lopez, Rosa takes the drastic step of killing Pedro to remove him from the picture. Although based on reality, the story of Burning Body is remarkably complex and perplexing, leaving us wondering where the line between truth and imagination truly lies.
Spoilers Ahead
Recap Summary: Unraveling the Mystery
In Burning Body, we are introduced to Rosa Peral, a dedicated policewoman who works for the Barcelona Police Department. Her life revolves around her work and her daughter, Sofia, whom she lives with alongside her parents. Everything takes a dramatic turn when Rosa has a heated argument with her partner, Pedro, who mysteriously disappears. Surprisingly, Rosa doesn’t appear particularly upset about his absence and even goes partying with her colleague, Albert Lopez, whom Sofia strongly dislikes. Rosa desperately tries to contact Pedro but receives no response. Even Pedro’s friend’s attempts to reach him go unanswered. The community is left shocked when a torched car is discovered near Foix Reservoir, reduced to ashes, with a peculiar metal screw from the victim’s spine hinting at prior surgery. Inspector Ester Varona launches an investigation and informs Rosa of this grim finding. It is devastating for Rosa to learn that the burned victim is Pedro, her lover.
While the series offers glimpses of the truth, it gradually becomes evident that Rosa is the one behind Pedro’s murder. One night, after a party, Rosa and Albert cover Pedro’s lifeless body before disposing of it in the forest and setting it ablaze. However, a twist occurs when Sofia, Rosa’s daughter, stumbles upon the gruesome scene, witnessing bloodstains on the basement floor. The narrative also reveals Rosa’s tumultuous personal life, including her bitter custody dispute with Javi, another police officer working for Mossos, whom she divorced. These complex relationships intertwine with the murder mystery, keeping us on the edge of our seats.
The Breakup of Rosa and Javi: A Tale of Desire and Greed
Rosa’s personality is driven by desire and greed, often leading her to make choices without considering their consequences. She possesses a capacity for manipulation, using her outward charm to her advantage. Rosa’s journey begins as a stripper, known for her seductive charms. Her life takes a turn when she meets Javi and falls in love. They decide to live together and even attempt to have a baby. However, their relationship faces a scandal when Rosa has an affair with Manu, a fellow police officer. Manu breaks off his engagement to be with Rosa, but she refuses to commit to him. In revenge, Manu shares an intimate photo of them, causing Rosa to be ostracized and isolated in the precinct. Despite her efforts to fight back, Rosa is blamed for sharing the photo herself.
As a result, Rosa is forced to change precincts, where she meets Albert and begins dating him. Although Javi initially leaves her, they later reconcile, get married, and buy a house together. Rosa also has an affair with Pedro, a traffic guard, during her marriage. Javi senses her infidelity and pursues his own extramarital relationship with Carmen. Eventually, Javi leaves Rosa on Christmas night, leading to their divorce. However, Javi remains an obstacle in Rosa’s quest for sole custody of their daughter. In an attempt to tarnish his reputation and prevent him from gaining custody, Rosa, with Albert’s help, orchestrates Javi’s temporary arrest.
Pedro, on the other hand, is impulsive when it comes to love. After falling for Rosa, he becomes deeply obsessed with her. His impulsive behavior even gets him into trouble at work when he loses his temper and beats a teenage boy for speeding, resulting in problems with his professional record. Without hesitation, he ends his relationship with his girlfriend, with whom he has a young son, to be with Rosa. Pedro’s intense infatuation leads him to make impulsive decisions, such as putting an engagement ring on Rosa’s finger, without considering her character.
The Arrest of Rosa and Albert: Unraveling the Truth
Rosa’s life takes a sinister turn following the mysterious disappearance of her partner, Pedro. Initially, she claims he has been missing since May 2nd, but Inspector Varona uncovers unsettling details. Pedro seems to have vanished since the day Rosa last saw him, raising suspicions. Varona delves deeper, scrutinizing Rosa’s profile and even searching her home. In the basement, which has recently been painted, she discovers blood droplet stains that raise her doubts. As the investigation progresses, Rosa’s relationship with Albert comes to light. Desperate to divert suspicion, Rosa initially tries to pin the murder on her ex-partner, Javi. However, scrutiny of Javi’s call records quickly rules him out as a suspect. Varona’s focus then shifts to Rosa and Albert. In a previous incident, while patrolling an area, Albert exhibits aggressive behavior that tragically leads to the death of a vendor who injures Rosa in her leg. Albert forcefully pushes the vendor against a wall, causing fatal consequences. Rosa is present during this incident but chooses to testify in Albert’s favor instead of reporting his actions. Her testimony protects Albert from facing more severe legal consequences for his violent behavior.
Ultimately, Varona suspects that Rosa and Albert are the only legitimate suspects who had seen Pedro on the day he disappeared, leading to their arrest. Initially, both vehemently deny any involvement in Pedro’s murder, but their stories later change. In an attempt to prove their innocence, Rosa shifts the blame onto Albert, portraying him as the true perpetrator, while Albert points fingers at Rosa, claiming she is the mastermind behind the crime. Despite securing strong legal representation, the weight of evidence begins to stack against Rosa. Even her own daughter, Sofia, provides an account to Javi’s current wife, Carmen, stating that she has seen blood spots on the floor. The court finds enough evidence to support the theory that Rosa is the perpetrator, with Albert as her accomplice.
The Night Pedro Was Killed: Unveiling the Truth
During a pivotal moment in the court proceedings, Detective Ester Varona presents her conclusive findings that shed light on the fateful night of Pedro’s murder. Rosa initially claims that she last saw Pedro on May 2nd. However, as Varona investigates and talks to Rosa’s parents, she discovers that Rosa has involved them in a false narrative.
It becomes clear that Rosa, feeling increasingly trapped in her troubled relationship with Pedro, decides it is time to end it once and for all. She had the option to simply leave him, which would have been much easier, but Rosa Peral, as depicted in the series, has a disturbing inclination towards violence and killing without any valid purpose. Frustrated with her circumstances, she executes a sinister plan with Albert. Rosa drugs Pedro, and after he falls unconscious in their basement, Albert arrives to finally put an end to his life. Albert kills Pedro and takes his lifeless body to a forest near a reservoir, where he sets the car ablaze to cover up the crime.
As part of their cover-up, Rosa and Albert also keep Pedro’s phone. On May 2nd, after Pedro has already passed away, Rosa sends texts to various individuals, posing as Pedro, to create an alibi. She meticulously crafts a scenario in which Pedro last visited Javi’s house, insinuating a fight between them and ultimately implicating her ex-husband in Pedro’s death. However, Rosa’s carefully constructed plan falls apart when it becomes evident that Javi was not at home on that particular night.
The Verdict: Justice Served?
The conclusion of Burning Body delivers a harsh outcome for Rosa Peral and Albert Lopez. The majority of the jury, consisting of eight out of nine members, find them both guilty. The weight of evidence is against Rosa, who fails to provide a strong piece of evidence to prove her innocence. Consequently, they have no choice but to accept their punishments. Albert receives a twenty-year prison sentence, while Rosa faces a more severe penalty of 25 years due to her romantic connection with Pedro.
Rosa attempts to secure bail, but her request is denied. However, she finally reunites with her daughter, who has been under Javi’s care. Sofia, who has grown up, deeply desires her mother’s return, and Rosa promises that they will soon be together.
Burning Body delves into the eerie depths of complex human behavior. Rosa’s character, with her charm and manipulation, demonstrates how she uses her looks and gender to her advantage. Pedro’s impulsiveness and intense love reveal how strong emotions can lead to significant consequences. Meanwhile, Albert’s loyalty and aggression highlight the complexities of love pushed to its limits. As we follow their journey, we see that these characters are not simply good or bad; they are shaped by their choices and circumstances. The series prompts us to contemplate the intricacies of human psychology and how relationships can drastically change under pressure. However, it is important to remember that Burning Body is a fictionalized version of events, and we do not know the complete truth of what really happened. Therefore, when judging these characters, we should consider how they are portrayed in the series without assuming it is a complete reflection of reality.
Conclusion: Blurring the Line Between Reality and Imagination
Burning Body takes us on a thrilling rollercoaster ride, blending reality and fiction to create a story that keeps us on the edge of our seats. Inspired by true events, the series introduces us to Rosa Peral, a deeply flawed character caught up in a web of murder and deceit. As the truth unravels, we discover the extent of Rosa’s involvement in the death of her partner, Pedro Rodriguez. Alongside her lover, Albert Lopez, Rosa takes drastic measures to eliminate Pedro from her life. The series skillfully explores the complexities of human behavior, delving into themes of desire, manipulation, and the consequences of impulsive actions.
Through its gripping narrative, Burning Body challenges us to question the line between truth and imagination. While based on real events, the series takes creative liberties to craft a fictionalized version of the story. As viewers, we are left wondering about the true nature of the events that unfolded. The captivating performances and intricate plot twists keep us engaged, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of human psychology.
In conclusion, Burning Body is a masterful blend of reality and fiction, leaving us captivated and intrigued until the very end. It serves as a reminder that the truth can often be stranger than fiction, blurring the line between what is real and what is imagined. Whether you are a fan of crime dramas or simply appreciate a thought-provoking series, Burning Body is a must-watch that will leave you questioning the boundaries of truth and storytelling.
