LA PALMA on Netflix is a brand-new disaster miniseries with only four episodes. It follows a Norwegian family spending Christmas in La Palma when a catastrophic event occurs. The story revolves around a volcanic eruption and the looming threat of a tsunami. This series is incredibly binge-worthy, and I finished it in one sitting. You can find our complete La Palma series review here!
LA PALMA is a Netflix miniseries set during the Christmas holidays. This four-part Norwegian disaster series is brought to you by the creators of popular disaster films like The Wave, The Quake, and The Burning Sea. These filmmakers are known for delivering spectacular disaster stories on screen.
In this case, their storytelling translates perfectly into a miniseries format. With just four 45-minute episodes, the series flows seamlessly like a feature film. That’s exactly how I watched it—straight through. The gripping cliffhangers at the end of each episode make it nearly impossible not to binge the whole series in one go.
Check out our full La Palma series review below. Streaming on Netflix from December 12, 2024.
Merry Christmas… Now Run!
The new Netflix disaster series *La Palma* unfolds around the annual tradition of millions of Scandinavians traveling to the Canary Islands. With many enjoying vacation days during the holiday season, it’s the perfect opportunity for a family getaway.
For one Norwegian family, this trip is a cherished Christmas tradition. In a year free of lockdowns or other restrictions, they continue their yearly ritual: traveling to the island of La Palma and checking into their favorite hotel.
However, beneath the serene beauty of the Canary Islands lies a hidden natural threat—one that specifically endangers the island where this family is staying.
A young Norwegian scientist, who specializes in studying volcanic activity, is on the island to monitor its geology. Teaming up with an Icelandic scientist—experts on volcanoes thanks to their homeland—they uncover alarming evidence that signals an impending disaster.
The volcano at the island’s center shows signs of instability. If it erupts, it could spell doom for everyone on the island. Even more terrifying, a landmass the size of Manhattan might collapse into the ocean, triggering the most massive tsunami the world has ever witnessed.
Witnessing the events at La Palma made me realize how little I knew about volcanic eruptions. Now that I’ve learned more, I’m keeping this knowledge in my memory bank—you never know when it might become vital.
The first phase involves the release of toxic gas, which can be lethal to anyone in higher altitudes. This is why heading to higher ground after a tsunami warning triggered by a volcanic eruption isn’t safe—the gas will reach you before the tsunami does.
Next comes the ash, spewing from the mountain and disrupting air traffic. This makes it nearly impossible to escape quickly or easily during such a crisis.
Finally, the eruption itself occurs, unleashing lava and creating chaos. Survival becomes a desperate struggle, and while you may want to help everyone, the harsh reality is that not all lives can be saved.
The La Palma series revolves around a Norwegian family grappling with their own personal challenges. While love is not one of their issues, even love cannot shield them from the devastation of a volcanic eruption.
Will the family survive the deadly combination of toxic gas, ash, lava, and the threat of a tsunami? And can the scientists at the volcanic center persuade their colleagues to take swift action and order an evacuation before it’s too late?
Wonderful and familiar cast
Even if you haven’t watched many Norwegian productions, the cast of La Palma features some familiar faces for fans of horror and other genre productions. The Mother in the Norwegian family is portrayed by Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, who you might recognize from Westworld, Blasted, and one of the best Norwegian horror franchises Cold Prey.
As the father in the family, we see Anders Baasmo (Kon-Tiki, The Bird Catcher), while the 17-year-old daughter, who plays a big role in the story, is portrayed by Alma Günther.
As the Norwegian scientist, Marie Ekdal, we have Thea Sofie Loch Næss (So Long, Marianne, A Storm for Christmas). The Icelandic scientist working with her, Haukur, is portrayed by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson. You may recognize him from The Meg, The Tourist, Cursed, or NOS4A2. Also, he’ll be in season 2 of Severance.
Finally, we have Thorbjørn Harr (Cadaver) as a relative working from Norway to help his family during this disaster.
The Magic of Combining Christmas with Disaster
At first glance, the idea of mixing Christmas with disaster might seem unusual. However, when you take a moment to reflect, some of the most memorable Christmas horror movies involve catastrophic events. While humor occasionally plays a part, these stories often depict serious disasters unfolding during the festive season.
Take La Palma as a prime example of such a disaster narrative. Another notable film is the South Korean movie The Tower, where a massive fire engulfs a high-rise building during a Christmas party, creating chaos and terror.
Similarly, the 2021 film Silent Night, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode, offers a different perspective on Christmas disasters. In this movie, the end of the world looms, presenting a chilling scenario for the holiday season.
Manmade disasters also make their mark in Christmas classics. The iconic Die Hard, featuring John McClane, remains a favorite for many, blending action with holiday cheer. More recently, in 2022, Violent Night depicted Santa Claus stepping into battle against villains, adding a fresh twist to the theme.
Who could forget the Gremlins? These mischievous creatures cause chaos simply because someone fails to follow three simple rules. Poor Gizmo never intended to bring so much trouble. And let’s not overlook the numerous films centered on Krampus, where the infamous Christmas demon leaves devastation in his wake.
Natural disasters, like those portrayed in La Palma, often carry the gravest consequences. Unlike human-made crises, they cannot be reasoned with or controlled. Survival often hinges on running and seeking refuge—an impossible feat when stranded on an island, as shown in the Netflix miniseries La Palma.
These disaster-themed Christmas stories remind us that the holiday season isn’t always about peace and joy—it can also be a time for thrilling and suspenseful tales that leave us on the edge of our seats.
Watch the La Palma series on Netflix!
The director of La Palma is the Danish director Kasper Barfoed. He previously directed the Netflix series The Nurse and The Chestnut Man. For this disaster series, we’re operating on a much larger scale. The other series focused on crime and finding a serial killer.
The writers of the series are Lars Gudmestad (The Arctic Convoy) and Harald Rosenløw-Eeg (The Quake), and they succeed at making a disaster story that works on the small screen. The big disaster sequences look gorgeous and believable and hit harder because we care about the characters.
When it comes to disaster movies, you may fight against other human beings, but the true opponent is Mother Nature. And you cannot win against her. Instead, you need to make it all look believable and La Palma definitely achieves this.
Fortunately, because making the disaster look real, is key to making everything work.
With December 2024 giving us a nice Friday the 13th, releasing this disaster miniseries on Thursday the 12th makes for a nice warm-up. You know, before it’s time for the perfect horror Friday. And – obviously – we recommend that you stuff this one with Christmas horror movies.
It’s a no-brainer really!
La Palma premieres globally on Netflix on December 12, 2024.
Details
Director: Kasper Barfoed
Writers: Harald Rosenløw Eeg & Lars Gudmestad
Main Cast: Anders Baasmo, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Thorbjørn Harr, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Johannes Joner, Jorge de Juan, Iselin Shumba, Amund Harboe
Plot
A Norwegian family enjoying their holiday on La Palma finds their dream vacation turned into a nightmare as a young researcher uncovers troubling evidence of a looming volcanic eruption.
