The idea was there and overall the acting was good but the main character 'Sophia' was extremely frustrating to watch as she was just stupid and stroppy the whole way through. If she wouldn't have been so annoying I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. The ending wasn't great either- wonder if there will be a season 2.
79 Reviews
Perverting Gnosticism long after the Cathars have perished
kigaiyuuto29 January 2022
I love this kind of show, like Archive 81 another recent Netflix show. However this show tries to be a lot of things and the writing/script needs to be re-organized. It reveals too much too early by the time it reached the second half all the momentum is gone.
First half and second half feels like they are made by different people, first half has a lot of nudity and gore while the second half feels like Stranger Things.
Having said that I'll recommend this show if you like occult horror shows like Archive 81 and Paraiso/Paradise on HBO Max.
First half and second half feels like they are made by different people, first half has a lot of nudity and gore while the second half feels like Stranger Things.
Having said that I'll recommend this show if you like occult horror shows like Archive 81 and Paraiso/Paradise on HBO Max.
Use subtitles
shaun-3523815 February 2022
European occult / horror is hit and miss, usually a miss. This was one of the better recent ones. Audio dubbing is a bit awkward so if you can handle subtitles I'd suggest watching it that way.
This 8 episode isn't the usual burner and never drags and it's not as melodramatic as some of the Spanish ones are.
Cast work well together and scenery is really pleasant.
Having said that, you really don't care who lives and dies.
Plot isn't original, the old cult trying to open the door to another realm and others trying to stop it and police not being much help etc. But still it's definitely worth a watch if this is your genre.
This 8 episode isn't the usual burner and never drags and it's not as melodramatic as some of the Spanish ones are.
Cast work well together and scenery is really pleasant.
Having said that, you really don't care who lives and dies.
Plot isn't original, the old cult trying to open the door to another realm and others trying to stop it and police not being much help etc. But still it's definitely worth a watch if this is your genre.
Enjoyable mysterious show with fantasy elements
timothy-brake2 February 2022
This show was entertaining and kept me watching. The story and mystery unfolds rather well although some 'sister drama' parts in the later episodes were a bit too long for my taste. The Spanish village and scenery are beautiful. This show gives a good insight in cult tactics and how people in agony are easily convinced into occult things using brainwashing. Won't spoil anything so I will just leave you with it's an enjoyable mystery show with a touch of fantasy.
It's OK
kkmgirl-448-11198830 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The beginning started out promising, but dragged on too long. Most of the characters are unlikable, especially bratty Sophia, who wore the same nasty outfit for the majority of the series. Some side plots *sorta* made sense but were overdone and almost felt like red herrings since they didn't go anywhere or add up to much. In fact, I was left with more questions than answers because of it. The special effects were pretty good- I actually thought the little demon was cute (I'm sure that wasn't the intention though). What killed the enjoyment was the muddy script- at first the Mom in Hell is crying "run away" to Sophia, then she's beckoning her to join the rest of the time. The Dad hides out nearby while his daughters are in agony and I still don't really know why- its not like the cult didn't already know who they are or where they live. Rather than tell them the truth and get the hell out of there, everyone just sits around while the cult regains power. Speaking of- do these weird people not eat, work, have homes, or a change of clothes? They are ALWAYS just standing around the abandoned house, in the same clothes, with only a bed for furniture, waiting for the god-awful Sophia who is "perfect" ('splain that Lucy?!) to show up and be kinda into the kinkyness but kinda not at times... I was baffled half time time where the direction was headed.
Then there are the plot holes. Maybe I'm getting too old and cynical, but I'm finding certain themes don't satisfy the deeper questions. For example- why are there always huge mysterious temples/altars carved in caves? There is literally no backstory to any of this- who did it, how long has it been there, how has no one successfully released the hounds of hell after all these centuries but a snotty 16 year old can, etc. I could go on, but I'll just sum up my biggest head-scratcher: why do apocalyptic powerful demons who can destroy humanity NEED a puny human to release them?? It's like when I see scary movies where ghosts can't get through locked doors. Again, maybe I'm too old to enjoy the silliness, but for once I'd love a movie to address these kind of absurdities.
Overall, I killed a night watching this as I crocheted (I prefer subtitles, but I've heard worse dubbing so I managed) and was left hating the ending (but then again, I already disliked Sophia so why not double down), but it was ok for what it was. I believe they genuinely tried- hopefully they learn from their mistakes and attempt another show (but NOT a sequel... this one is done).
Then there are the plot holes. Maybe I'm getting too old and cynical, but I'm finding certain themes don't satisfy the deeper questions. For example- why are there always huge mysterious temples/altars carved in caves? There is literally no backstory to any of this- who did it, how long has it been there, how has no one successfully released the hounds of hell after all these centuries but a snotty 16 year old can, etc. I could go on, but I'll just sum up my biggest head-scratcher: why do apocalyptic powerful demons who can destroy humanity NEED a puny human to release them?? It's like when I see scary movies where ghosts can't get through locked doors. Again, maybe I'm too old to enjoy the silliness, but for once I'd love a movie to address these kind of absurdities.
Overall, I killed a night watching this as I crocheted (I prefer subtitles, but I've heard worse dubbing so I managed) and was left hating the ending (but then again, I already disliked Sophia so why not double down), but it was ok for what it was. I believe they genuinely tried- hopefully they learn from their mistakes and attempt another show (but NOT a sequel... this one is done).
I tried.
aarpcats2 February 2022
I love Lovecraft, I love Spanish horror, and I need to practice my Spanish But I could not get past episode three.
TERRIBLE! Glacially slow, horrifically paced, and shot so badly that it looks like a bunch of black and white photographs,
Who cares about the cult? I was ready for everyone to die so the series would be over.
TERRIBLE! Glacially slow, horrifically paced, and shot so badly that it looks like a bunch of black and white photographs,
Who cares about the cult? I was ready for everyone to die so the series would be over.
Those Mischievous Beings.
Nemesis4213 February 2022
Decent show. Took a while for them to tell us what was going on for sure. Though one could make early guesses. It wasn't clear for a while if we were dealing with evil of not. As usual it all comes together in the final episodes and satisfaction ensures.
However if a second series doesn't come about, it would be disappointing. Yes, a cliffhanger, but this isn't a new situation.
However if a second series doesn't come about, it would be disappointing. Yes, a cliffhanger, but this isn't a new situation.
Worth your time
mohinderchugh29 January 2022
I will not say that this is one of the best webseries on NetFlix. If you have watched all other good dark series than you can give it a try. If you have not till now than this series can wait. I found Series like Scream , Sinners better than this. But overall it is worth your time.
The devil made them do ... this series
guy-3669 February 2022
I'm 13' into episode three. Sigh. Repetitive, badly paced, Feria is a terribly written ghost story about a cult. The characters are unsympathetic, their actions make no sense, nor does the abundant nudity. Although there are dozens of cops lurking at every corner of this sleepy Spanish village, they don't seem to have a clue.
Not the darkest or the lightest, somewhere in between
sharon-peer30 January 2022
European settings always work great for mystery stories, especially during the 90s before everything turned global. Story here is about two sisters living in an isolated, conservative town that has a dark secret they keep for few decades. The story has potential and is interesting at times, even though not completely original. However, the acting leave a lot to be desired as the character don't act in a way that make a lot of sense and sometimes are overdramatic and over acting.
Unrealized potential, 6 episodes too long
zhivago971 February 2022
This series has all the things that make for a great movie. However it was also filled with unnecessary characters, superfluous subplots and lots of repetition, and this is the downfall.
This would have been just right as a two hour movie. But to stretch out into 8 episodes added nothing but excess, and wasted time.
I wanted to like this series but it is very slow and full of lose ends and other unnecessary nonsense which takes away from the creepiness factor. For every step the director took to create suspenseful horror, there were two steps back with all the ridiculous subplots and illogical scenes.
However, production value is decent and acting is good. Music is a little heavy and annoying at times. Writing and editing are bloated, and in need of a serious diet.
This would have been just right as a two hour movie. But to stretch out into 8 episodes added nothing but excess, and wasted time.
I wanted to like this series but it is very slow and full of lose ends and other unnecessary nonsense which takes away from the creepiness factor. For every step the director took to create suspenseful horror, there were two steps back with all the ridiculous subplots and illogical scenes.
However, production value is decent and acting is good. Music is a little heavy and annoying at times. Writing and editing are bloated, and in need of a serious diet.
Feria: The Darkest Light
Tweekums9 February 2022
As this '90s set Spanish series opens teenager Sofia goes out with a group of youngsters; while out she swims in the lake and passes out. She wakes up at home with Eva, her older sister; strangely their parents aren't there. Shortly afterwards the Guardia Civil come looking for their parents... it turns out that they seem to be linked to twenty three bodies being found at a disused mine. Investigations show that the dead were part of a cult that believes that this life is a fiction and had hoped to open a gateway to the real reality, which they call 'The Kingdom'. Surviving members of the cult start to take an interest in Sofia believing she may be able to open the gateway.
I rather enjoyed this series; it started well with a good sense of mystery concerning what happened at the mine. Early on it isn't entirely obvious whether, within the context of the series, the cult's beliefs are real or if they are just dangerously deluded. The fact that the mine contains dangerous gases means that some of the strange things we are shown could be the characters' hallucinations. Some of these scenes are nicely disturbing. The location, a fairly small remote town, is good and the nineties setting is good as it means middle aged characters can be affected by events that occurred at the end of the Franco dictatorship in 1975. The cast do a solid job bringing their characters to life and the special effects are really good. If you are bothered by on screen nudity you might not be a fan of this series as there is rather a lot... I can't think I've seen a TV series with more. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of the genre I hope we get another season.
These comments are based on watching the series in Spanish with English subtitles.
I rather enjoyed this series; it started well with a good sense of mystery concerning what happened at the mine. Early on it isn't entirely obvious whether, within the context of the series, the cult's beliefs are real or if they are just dangerously deluded. The fact that the mine contains dangerous gases means that some of the strange things we are shown could be the characters' hallucinations. Some of these scenes are nicely disturbing. The location, a fairly small remote town, is good and the nineties setting is good as it means middle aged characters can be affected by events that occurred at the end of the Franco dictatorship in 1975. The cast do a solid job bringing their characters to life and the special effects are really good. If you are bothered by on screen nudity you might not be a fan of this series as there is rather a lot... I can't think I've seen a TV series with more. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of the genre I hope we get another season.
These comments are based on watching the series in Spanish with English subtitles.
Cool monster designs, not much else
valemas31 January 2022
It is a fun watch for horror and scy-fi fans, but the story lacks something. It advances very slowly and explanations are a bit lacking. You end up just accepting what happens without understanding why.
The characters are believable for the most part, but I just couldn't get attached to them.
The monster designs are cool tho.
The characters are believable for the most part, but I just couldn't get attached to them.
The monster designs are cool tho.
Very lazy writing
obheron20 February 2022
It started out as a supernatural thriller with plenty of question... Then it veered, into a monster feature with a satanic kitty cat living in people's throat.
No mysteries after episode 3. You know who are the bad guys and what their plan his. You understand that they are all being manipulated.
The writers did not even follow the rules of their own univers... Elena grew up in the cult and wanted to go through the 4 initiation but it did not changed her.
While Sophia spent a few weeks in it then she does want to go through it but it completly changed her behavior ?!?
They said that only Dekta went through the Veil, but when they need another demon, Umma is magically there ?! Why ? How ?
The Temple/Mine is suppose to be filled with gaz that kills people, but only when it's convenient to the plot...
It's suppose to be based on Gnostism but they just used the names to put demons in the show.
It's simply poorly written...
No mysteries after episode 3. You know who are the bad guys and what their plan his. You understand that they are all being manipulated.
The writers did not even follow the rules of their own univers... Elena grew up in the cult and wanted to go through the 4 initiation but it did not changed her.
While Sophia spent a few weeks in it then she does want to go through it but it completly changed her behavior ?!?
They said that only Dekta went through the Veil, but when they need another demon, Umma is magically there ?! Why ? How ?
The Temple/Mine is suppose to be filled with gaz that kills people, but only when it's convenient to the plot...
It's suppose to be based on Gnostism but they just used the names to put demons in the show.
It's simply poorly written...
Great little show
fsuelwood18 April 2022
I found this series to be very entertaining, some points dragged on, but for the most past I couldn't stop watching. The plot along with the characters kept me engaged. I highly recommend and am looking forward to season two.
Lost opportunity......
s32761691 May 2022
Feria could have been inspired. It starts out well with a novel story that's creepy, complex and atmospheric.
Regrettably, the story fails to pursue its complex story line and narrative. Its as if it simply runs out of breath, two thirds of the way through and gives up. What left is simplistic, inconclusive and annoying.
On the upside its well acted, with decent production values. CGI is only passable but does the job, so to speak.
In short, moderately watchable, well acted but ultimately truncated and somewhat frustrating.
5/10.
Regrettably, the story fails to pursue its complex story line and narrative. Its as if it simply runs out of breath, two thirds of the way through and gives up. What left is simplistic, inconclusive and annoying.
On the upside its well acted, with decent production values. CGI is only passable but does the job, so to speak.
In short, moderately watchable, well acted but ultimately truncated and somewhat frustrating.
5/10.
Nice work
ritiksaraswat-1348412 February 2022
Wowww so bad
cin_janssens29 January 2022
Talk about a lot of buildup for a completely anticlimactic ending. This show has so much potential and was just sooooo poorly executed. Total let down. Waste of time. Don't Bother getting into it as it will only disappoint.
Not bad at all, worth the "slow" beginning
Limbo818 February 2022
I think this series is quite more original than other supernatural series on Netflix.
The first episodes are a bit slow, maybe a bit too much drama for my taste. Definitely the last episodes have a lot more happening, and it is worth the wait.
The story is well written, intriguing and coherent. The acting is pretty good, the soundtrack is nice. I see the main negative comment is that the series is "too slow", unfortunately this kind of comment is more and more common as people have forgot to enjoy a good story and have too little patience for a story to develop, it seems.
The first episodes are a bit slow, maybe a bit too much drama for my taste. Definitely the last episodes have a lot more happening, and it is worth the wait.
The story is well written, intriguing and coherent. The acting is pretty good, the soundtrack is nice. I see the main negative comment is that the series is "too slow", unfortunately this kind of comment is more and more common as people have forgot to enjoy a good story and have too little patience for a story to develop, it seems.
Hit and Miss
mariov76921 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was another Netflix show that I could have gone either way with but the last episode just made me drop a star or two. The filming is well done. The story is very interesting. The acting for the most part is solid. But the writing really needed a lot of improvement. I have zero problems with nudity in any film or series. Here it just seemed gratuitous. The reasoning for the nudity was fairly weak and pointless since we saw Sofia cross over totally clothed. I won't give more away but the constant contradiction by the writers got irritating. On one had, the cult says this life isn't real and your body is nothing but a vessel. On the other hand, they drug up Sofia into having a weird orgy because she had to give up her body to lift the veil. So which is it? If she had to have sex in order to lift the veil, then her body matters. It may still be a vessel and all but without her body the veil wouldn't have been lifted.
The other big problem is the lack of explanation for everything. We know this relates to Gnosticism but why Sofia and her mother? Because they were special? What happened in her family's history that made them so important only to Gnostics? Every other religion had no use for Sofia but coincidentally the Gnostics did and luckily her and her family were there and never left their small town. They could have moved thousands of miles away and no one would have found them but nope. They stayed in the only town in the world with the gate to hell that only Sofia and her mom could open. And this wasn't some secret either. Most of the older people in their small town knew about the gate to hell. Yet in a town that small there were no stories or myths or anything to allude to it. Not even the miners who worked there for years had ever discovered this overly conspicuous stone door that led to the gates of hell. Groovy.
The last episode just killed it. Knowing the choices she had, knowing that everything was up to her and her alone, knowing that she was lied to by the cult, knowing all that she personally lost, Sofia still hadn't learned a single thing. Yeah, the want a second season obviously but they wasted a good premise with iffy writing.
The other big problem is the lack of explanation for everything. We know this relates to Gnosticism but why Sofia and her mother? Because they were special? What happened in her family's history that made them so important only to Gnostics? Every other religion had no use for Sofia but coincidentally the Gnostics did and luckily her and her family were there and never left their small town. They could have moved thousands of miles away and no one would have found them but nope. They stayed in the only town in the world with the gate to hell that only Sofia and her mom could open. And this wasn't some secret either. Most of the older people in their small town knew about the gate to hell. Yet in a town that small there were no stories or myths or anything to allude to it. Not even the miners who worked there for years had ever discovered this overly conspicuous stone door that led to the gates of hell. Groovy.
The last episode just killed it. Knowing the choices she had, knowing that everything was up to her and her alone, knowing that she was lied to by the cult, knowing all that she personally lost, Sofia still hadn't learned a single thing. Yeah, the want a second season obviously but they wasted a good premise with iffy writing.
Enter the Kingdom
c_hookham1 February 2022
In the remote Andalusian Hills sits Feria-a seemingly pretty town bathed in the lovely Spanish light. But there is something deeply sinister at work here. Dozens turn up dead at a local mine seemingly the victim of a mass suicide linked to a cult and the daughters of the cult's alleged leaders are left to pick up the pieces...
Spanish horror has something of a pedigree and this delivers. Echoes of Lynch, Cronenberg and Lovecraft abound in this with added folk horror elements that will be right up the street of anyone following the likes of Stranger Things or Locke and Key.
Spanish horror has something of a pedigree and this delivers. Echoes of Lynch, Cronenberg and Lovecraft abound in this with added folk horror elements that will be right up the street of anyone following the likes of Stranger Things or Locke and Key.
Simply awesome
naqvi-zubaid-zubaid4428 April 2022
The show is awesome, must watch for every one , and this is also underrated on IMDb of you are interested in the show simply watch it, don't let the ratings fool you, because this show is worth every second of the binge. At last i will say this - this is a hidden gem on Netflix.
Don't waste your time
k_j-3135330 January 2022
You hate Sofia all the way through the entire series for being incredibly moronic in spite of all the warnings and feeling it her self. The other characters get some reinvidication but her. See it all the way till the so she did exactly the moronic thing we knew would do..yep we are screwed! Disappointed.
The town was fabulous
WeWatchMovies6 February 2022
And that is it, hence 2 stars. You don't care at all for any of the characters. In fact most are really annoying. The story could have been more enjoyable with a better script, directing, acting...just a few things. BTW tons of full nudity so beware if you don't know that.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
