Television series

Berlín

Name: Berlín
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Released: 2023
Cast: Pedro Alonso, Tristán Ulloa, Michelle Jenner, Begoña Vargas, Julio Peña Fernández

A prequel to Money Heist following the charming, ruthless Berlín in his prime, assembling a crew for an audacious jewel heist across Paris. Fast-paced and stylish, it's a high-stakes thriller that trades the original's puzzle-box plotting for pure adrenaline and character swagger. For anyone who loved the first season's energy or wants a sleeker, less labyrinthine heist show.

TVMaze rating

3.6

If you liked this

Ocean's Eleven2001

The spiritual ancestor of this kind of heist cinema: charismatic criminals, impossible plans, glamorous locations, and that same intoxicating sense that these people are having the time of their lives pulling off something audacious.

But The plot is deliberately lightweight, existing mainly as scaffolding for style and charm. If you need narrative weight or real stakes, it can feel hollow.

The Italian Job1969

A gem-theft caper with the same blend of wit, style, and meticulous planning, plus an ending that refuses to play it safe. The granddaddy of modern heist movies, and it moves.

But It's 55 years old and looks it. The pacing is unhurried by modern standards, and the sexism is both of its era and baked in.

La Casa de Papel2017

The parent show that introduced Berlín. If you haven't seen it, start here; the character's origin story lands harder when you know what he becomes. Peak Netflix international thriller energy.

But It becomes increasingly baroque and convoluted as it goes. The first two seasons are the ones everyone raves about for good reason.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Berlín

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Rififi1955

Both are Paris jewel heists told with style over realism; Berlín is the spiritual heir to Rififi, just turbocharged with modern energy and adrenaline.

The original heist masterpiece: a jewel theft in Paris (the same city, the same target type) executed with such precision and style that it redefined the entire genre. The 30-minute heist sequence has no dialogue or score—just pure cinema. Every heist film since owes it a debt.

But It's in French, from 1955, and in black and white. The pacing is deliberate by modern standards, and the emotional tenor is noir-dark rather than charming.

Lupin2021

French heist energy, a protagonist with style for days, and that same Netflix sheen. It's lighter and faster than Berlín, which makes it perfect if you just want the rush without overthinking it.

But The plotting sometimes prioritizes spectacle over logic. Suspend disbelief or you'll spend episodes annoyed at how problems vanish.

Baby Driver2017

Stylish crime thriller with a crew of charming criminals, kinetic action, and a protagonist's charisma doing half the heavy lifting. Edgar Wright's direction makes every frame crackle.

But The soundtrack can feel intrusive if you're not here for the music. The film prioritizes vibe over character depth.

Tower Heist2011

A slick, clever heist that actually respects the audience's intelligence. David Mamet directs, which means the dialogue snaps and the plan has real geometry.

But It's deliberately cold and cerebral. There's little warmth or charisma to the characters; it's all mechanics and misdirection.

The Gentlemen2020

Crime thriller full of swaggering criminals and impossible plans, shot with real flair. Guy Ritchie at his best: funny, violent, and propulsive, with a cast that's clearly having fun.

But The humor is self-conscious and can feel forced. Some of the banter plays tryhard if you're not tuned to that frequency.

A Prophet2009

A masterclass in transformation and power. A young man rises through prison hierarchies with cunning and charisma. It's tense, beautifully shot, and riveting in ways that matter beyond plot mechanics.

But It's relentlessly bleak and often brutal. There's no charm to offset the darkness, and the violence is not stylized or fun.

Hell or High Water2016

Modern crime thriller with real emotional weight. Two brothers rob banks with precision and purpose while a relentless lawman closes in. Taut, intelligent, and genuinely thrilling.

But It's a slow burn. If you want constant action and wisecracks, the long stretches of quiet will test your patience.

Godless2017

Same actor, inverted role: Alonso brings the same swagger and intelligence but in service of evil rather than charisma. It shows the range he's working with.

A Western miniseries where Berlín actor Pedro Alonso plays the villain, giving a performance of such charisma and menace that he nearly steals the show from the heroes. If you loved his presence in Berlín, seeing him go full antagonist is a revelation—he's capable of operating at an entirely different register.

But It's a Western, not a heist thriller, so the tone and pacing are completely different. The show's politics are heavy-handed, and it can feel didactic.

Brick2006

Both are stories where the heist or crime is secondary to the character dynamics and the pleasure of watching smart people navigate impossible situations with style.

A high school noir where teenagers navigate crime and deception with dead-serious conviction. It's a genre transplant that works because it treats its premise with absolute sincerity. Sharp dialogue, real tension, and a world with its own brutal logic.

But The deliberately artificial dialogue and high school setting may feel gimmicky. Some find it precious rather than clever.