Films

Is ‘Untamed’ Based on a True Story? What Inspired the Netflix Hit

Netflix’s "Untamed" blends fiction with real-life danger inside Yosemite’s deadly terrain.

Eric Bana in "Untamed"
© IMDbEric Bana in "Untamed"

Netflix has long shown its strength across genres, but when it comes to drama and mystery, the platform truly excels. Their latest series “Untamed” is a sharp reminder of that. Within just 24 hours of its debut, the show became the most-watched in the United States, according to FlixPatrol. Once again, the streamer proves its talent for crafting suspenseful stories that pull viewers in from the very first scene.

The title stars Eric Bana as Kyle Turner, a special agent with the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch who is called to investigate the death of a young woman found at the base of a cliff in Yosemite National Park. What initially appears to be a climbing accident quickly unravels into something much darker. The deeper Turner digs, the more disturbing the case becomes. Viewers are already wondering if the story is rooted in real events—and it turns out, it just might be a bit.

What’s Real in Netflix’s ‘Untamed’?

According to the Los Angeles Times, while “Untamed” is not directly based on a true story, co-creators Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith found inspiration in real-life reports. The idea for the series took shape after they were sent articles about the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch, a unit tasked with solving serious crimes on federal land.

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Source: IMDb

Source: IMDb

To bring authenticity to his role, Eric Bana went beyond the script. He spoke with both park rangers and agents from the ISB to better understand the realities of their work—ranging from routine duties to rare and unsettling cases. It’s this blend of the everyday and the extraordinary that fuels the tension and realism in “Untamed.”

Even without the buzz surrounding the show’s release, Yosemite National Park has long had a reputation for being as perilous as it is breathtaking. According to the New York Post, the park averages over 11 deaths per year, with falls being the most common cause. The Herald reports that since the 1800s, there have been approximately 1,002 traumatic deaths in Yosemite, including more than 300 from cliff-related falls.

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So while the story of Jane Doe is not taken from one specific case, it reflects a larger reality. The creators of “Untamed” used their research to craft a mystery rooted in the long and sometimes tragic history of one of America’s most iconic national parks.

Clara is about to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Writing Arts at the National University of Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In her role as a writer for Spoiler US, she covers movies, TV shows, streaming platforms, celebrities, and other topics of entertainment and general interest. Since 2021, she has been working as a film critic for Bendito Spoiler, Cinema Saturno, and Peliplat, attending festivals, conducting interviews, and regularly participating in cinematic debate podcasts. Her main focus of work is in the horror genre.

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