If you enjoy classic murder mysteries, old hotels, elegant interiors and stories where practically anyone could be guilty, Netflix has a new series made for exactly that kind of evening. The Final Problem is a four-part Spanish limited series combining a mysterious death, beautiful Mediterranean scenery and the spirit of classic Sherlock Holmes stories.
The series is available on Netflix now, and is based on the novel of the same name by Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte.
What is The Final Problem about?
The story takes place in the spring of 1959. A violent storm cuts a small island off the coast of Mallorca off from the outside world, leaving thirteen people stranded at a local hotel. When English tourist Elisa Mander is found dead, her death initially appears to be a suicide.
It soon becomes clear that something does not add up. No one can reach the island, and no one can leave. The killer must therefore be among the hotel’s guests or staff.
The investigation unexpectedly falls to Benjamin Basil, an aging actor who once became famous for playing Sherlock Holmes on screen. Basil is not a real detective, but years spent portraying the legendary investigator have given him plenty of practice observing people, noticing details and paying attention to clues that others might overlook.
The lead role is played by José Coronado, alongside María Valverde, Martiño Rivas and Maribel Verdú.
Based on the novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
The Final Problem is based on Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s 2023 novel El problema final. The book is a tribute to classic detective fiction, Sherlock Holmes and his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle.
Netflix made several changes when adapting the story for television. While the novel takes place in 1960 on the fictional island of Utakos near Corfu and follows nine isolated characters, the series moves the story to 1959 and a small island near Mallorca, with thirteen people trapped there.
The basic ingredients remain the same: an isolated location, a crime, a group of suspects and the question of who can actually be trusted.
A romantic hotel you would want to stay in. If it weren’t for the murder
One of the biggest attractions of The Final Problem is its setting. Surrounded by Mediterranean scenery, gardens and the sea, the hotel feels surprisingly romantic at times.
Its elegant architecture, terraces, carefully maintained gardens, quiet corners and late-1950s atmosphere create a place that, without the murder, could easily belong in a romantic movie. That contrast between the beautiful surroundings and the increasingly uncomfortable situation inside the hotel works particularly well.
Parts of the series were filmed in the Catalan town of Lloret de Mar, including the Santa Clotilde Gardens, Sa Boadella cove and Casa Roviralta. Together, these locations help create the fictional Mediterranean island of the story. Additional filming took place in Madrid, Toledo and at Netflix’s production facilities in Tres Cantos.
The result is a visually inviting series that manages to feel cozy and unsettling at the same time.
Sherlock Holmes without Sherlock Holmes
One of the most interesting ideas in the story is Basil himself. He is not Sherlock Holmes. He is simply an actor who used to play him.
When a real crime takes place, however, the people around him naturally begin to expect that he might be able to solve it. The series plays with the idea of whether someone who has spent years portraying a brilliant detective could eventually pick up at least some of that character’s skills.
It is also an obvious tribute to traditional whodunits, where viewers are given clues along the way and can try to solve the mystery before the main character does.
The miniseries The Final Problem is streaming now on Netflix.
Why The Final Problem is worth watching
The Final Problem on Netflix is not built around constant action or frantic pacing. Its appeal comes from atmosphere, conversations, suspicion and small details. The characters are confined to one place, and every new revelation changes how we see the people around them.
Another advantage is its length. The limited series consists of just four episodes, making it easy to watch over one or two evenings.
If you enjoy classic murder mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie-style stories or simply beautifully designed period dramas with a mystery at their center, The Final Problem is an intriguing new addition to Netflix.
And frankly, we would happily book a stay at that hotel too. Just perhaps outside of murder season.
