Eric Bana steps into the wilderness genre with Untamed, a new Netflix thriller co-created by Mark L. Smith, drawing clear inspiration from Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar-winning performance in The Revenant. Slated for release in July 2025, Untamed is expected to explore nature’s harsh reality and human endurance, much like the acclaimed 2015 film that finally earned DiCaprio his long-awaited Academy Award.
Untamed Introduces a Murder Mystery Amid Yosemite’s Wild Terrain
Untamed, an upcoming six-episode limited series, casts Eric Bana as Kyle Turner, a veteran agent with the National Parks Service stationed in Yosemite National Park. Known for its breathtaking vistas and attracting millions of visitors annually, Yosemite forms the backdrop for a chilling story where serenity is shattered by a violent killing. This crime sets Turner on a tense investigation, forcing him to navigate not only external natural dangers—such as daunting cliffs and unpredictable wildlife—but also the darker secrets hidden within the famed park.
The ensemble cast is rounded out by Sam Neill as park chief ranger Paul Souter, and Lily Santiago portraying the rookie agent Naya Vasquez. As Turner pursues the truth behind the murder, he must also confront memories and unresolved issues from his own past, blurring the line between personal reckoning and professional duty. Untamed, written and executive produced by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith, is filmed across the rugged wilderness of British Columbia, ensuring authenticity in both scenery and atmosphere. Eric Bana also serves as an executive producer, reinforcing his deep involvement in the creative process.
Connections Between Untamed and The Revenant’s Survivalist Narrative
The creative influence of Mark L. Smith, who previously co-wrote The Revenant alongside director Alejandro González Iñárritu, is strongly felt throughout Untamed. The new series revisits themes that defined the Oscar-nominated film, such as mankind’s vulnerability against the relentless force of nature and the internal drive for survival in the face of loss and adversity. While The Revenant followed the harrowing journey of Hugh Glass, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, as he battled both betrayal and a merciless landscape in 1820s America, Untamed thrusts Bana’s character into a similarly unforgiving wilderness—albeit in a very different narrative context.
Instead of a period tale of vengeance, Untamed’s story revolves around a contemporary murder investigation layered with psychological complexity. Kyle Turner’s ordeal strips away the comforts of modern life, mirroring the primal challenges faced by DiCaprio’s Glass. The show leans into brutal realism, with its protagonist testing his instincts for survival amidst isolation and danger. Yet, where The Revenant hinged on the quest for retribution, Untamed is driven by Turner’s struggle against the unresolved traumas of his past, presenting a more introspective battle for redemption.
Despite their distinct plots, both works are united by a central motif: nature as both adversary and mirror, exposing the fragility of human existence. Untamed’s focus on dark secrets lurking beneath Yosemite’s tranquil surface closely aligns it with the atmospheric and suspenseful approach that set The Revenant apart from other survival dramas.
Why Untamed Stands Out in Netflix’s 2025 Lineup
The anticipation for Untamed is fueled by its pedigree, its evocative setting, and its promise to continue exploring the cinematic territory that earned Leonardo DiCaprio his long-awaited Oscar in The Revenant. The crossover of creative talent—especially writer Mark L. Smith—creates a bridge between the two projects, appealing to fans eager for more stories where man squares off against nature’s unforgiving unpredictability. With Eric Bana in the lead, supported by talents like Sam Neill and Lily Santiago, the series is poised to deliver a complex, gritty thriller that goes beyond surface-level mystery.
As Untamed prepares for its premiere on July 17, 2025, on Netflix, it stands positioned not only as a gripping murder mystery but also as a reflection on the human spirit, survival, and the scars of the past. Its blend of psychological tension, breathtaking landscapes, and echoes of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar-winning performance in The Revenant suggests it could become one of the streaming platform’s critical hits, with themes that resonate both with adventure seekers and those who appreciate nuanced storytelling set against the wild unpredictability of nature.
