A chilling Netflix series has scored a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, despite being largely unknown, and has left viewers on the edge of their seats.
Netflix’s new Icelandic horror series, titled Katla, is quietly emerging as a must-watch.
Set a year after the eruption of the real-life Katla volcano in southern Iceland, the series follows the few remaining residents of the ash-blanketed town of Vík.
Their already fragile world is thrown into turmoil when people who died years ago begin returning, alive, unchanged, and covered in volcanic ash.
Among the reappearing is a woman who vanished two decades earlier, igniting fear, confusion, and whispers of Icelandic folklore, including the idea of "changelings" - mysterious beings who take the form of others.
As more of the dead return, the townsfolk are forced to confront long-buried grief, secrets, and emotional wounds.
The eight-part mystery-drama debuted in June 2021 and has since racked up a flawless 100 percent rating from critics and audience members on Rotten Tomatoes.
Starring Icelandic singer GDRN (Guðrún Ýr Eyfjörð Jóhannesdóttir) in the lead role, Katla boasts a full Icelandic ensemble cast and was released just as another real Icelandic volcano, Fagradalsfjall, began its ongoing eruptions, The Mirror reported.
While the show is lauded for its haunting atmosphere and layered storytelling, it’s not an easy watch.
One critic on Rotten Tomatoes wrote: “It starts and continues slowly, allowing the viewer to nurture a full range of sentiments, thoughts, and unanswered questions. In the last episodes the depth of the involvements gets deeper and deeper, possibly raising a lot of personal echoes. A great series, definitely worth seeing, but with some truly hard scenes.”
The psychological impact of the story hasn’t gone unnoticed. As Forbes writer Paul Tassi shared: “Katla ended up going places I wasn't expecting past this initial premise, and managed to be a rather touching exploration of grief, loss and regret, albeit in a way that moves a bit... slowly at times.”
Austin Burke from Flick Fan Nation also added: "The intensity in this series is high as it slowly builds a haunting mystery against this beautiful landscape."
On social media, viewers have echoed the critical acclaim. “Katla is amazing, especially if you are a fan of Dark or Equinox. It is a psychological thriller with a lot of characters. Spectacular stuff,” one fan posted to Netflix Bangers.
Another viewer wrote on Reddit: “The cinematography is beautiful, the acting is great and the atmosphere is wonderfully bleak and foreboding." A third chimed in: “It’s beautiful and atmospheric and it tells a story that keeps you interested without resorting to prehistoric wasps.”
Despite no news yet of a second season, many fans are calling Katla a one-season wonder, perfect for a weekend binge or an all-night deep dive.
“Slow-paced mystery drama but extremely engaging. The slow-paced narrative with the scenic background of Iceland’s incredible beauty will be very pleasing to the eyes. Excellent performance across the board from all actors. Overall, must-watch series,” one fan declared.
Katla is available to stream now on Netflix.