The story kicks off in the sleepy, picturesque Spanish village of Pedraza, where Father Vergara – an exorcist on the run from his dark past – finds himself hiding out after a tragic death. The town’s mayor, Paco, is all about turning things around with tourism, but Pedraza is about to get far more than it bargained for. Enter the mysterious coin – one of the 30 silver pieces Judas received for betraying Jesus. After it falls into the hands of Elena, the local veterinarian, all hell breaks loose. What follows is a blood-soaked journey full of supernatural forces, ancient secrets, and monstrous creatures hell-bent on taking that coin.
Sounds intense, right? And it absolutely is. But here’s the thing: 30 Coins is more than just your standard horror series. It’s Álex de la Iglesia at his finest, combining his trademark dark humor with a twisted love for the grotesque. From the very first scene, where we see an old man walking into a bank and getting shot multiple times – only to be unfazed because of some creepy magic – you know you’re in for something special. And then, there’s the opening title sequence – a mix of zombified Roman soldiers and a laughing Jesus on the cross that’s as outrageous as it sounds.
If you’re already thinking “wait, this sounds a little too over-the-top,” well, you’re not wrong. De la Iglesia has never been one for subtlety, and 30 Coins takes that to the extreme. There’s plenty of brutal violence, absurdly grotesque monsters, and enough gore to make you squirm. But here’s the thing: it’s all done with a wink and a nod. The monsters are intentionally outlandish, with creatures sporting spider-like legs that sprout from their backs, grotesque swollen bellies, and deformed faces that look straight out of a nightmare. And while the CGI isn’t exactly Oscar-worthy, it’s raw, unpolished, and perfectly fits the vibe of the show. De la Iglesia wants you to see these grotesque creatures in all their glory – no shadows to hide them. It’s shocking, yes, but that’s the point.
There are also moments that feel like they belong in a soap opera, and honestly? It works. The romantic triangle between Paco, his wife Merche, and Elena adds a little melodrama to the mix, and you can’t help but smile at how ridiculously over-the-top it gets. Merche's jealousy? It's pure soap opera gold. And when she marries the very man who’s in league with the devil? Well, that’s the kind of twisted plot twist only de la Iglesia could pull off.
30 Coins isn’t just set in rural Spain. The show takes us to Italy, Switzerland, and even the United States, with a few detours in the Middle East. Sure, the international locations are occasionally shot in Spanish quarries, and the budget doesn’t quite match the grand scale of the locations, but de la Iglesia isn’t concerned with perfection. It’s about creating a world where the supernatural and the horrific can happen anywhere – and honestly, it’s part of the charm. The series does feature some Italian actors like Cosimo Fusco and Massimo Ferroni, and there's even some Italian dialogue thrown in, which adds to the global feel. But make no mistake, this is still very much a Spanish production at heart, with all the quirky, chaotic energy you’d expect from de la Iglesia’s vision.
Is 30 Coins a masterpiece? Not exactly. But it’s a damn fun ride. With a cast that includes Eduard Fernández, Megan Montaner, and Miguel Ángel Silvestre, the series has enough star power to keep you engaged. The plot may be a little all over the place at times, and some of the effects might leave you scratching your head, but it’s the pure chaos and nonstop action that make it stand out. This is a show that demands your attention, throws you into the deep end, and dares you to keep up.
In the end, 30 Coins is exactly what it promises to be: a violent, unsettling, and totally addictive horror series. It's loud, it's brash, and it’s totally unapologetic. If you're a fan of over-the-top horror with a hefty dose of dark humor and grotesque creatures, this one’s for you. Just don’t expect a neat, tidy resolution – because with de la Iglesia behind the wheel, things are never that simple. But if you’re ready for a thrill ride that doesn’t hold back, 30 Coins will definitely leave an impression.
30 Coins – an experience you won't soon forget, for better or worse.
