Is Netflix’s ‘La Palma’ Based on a True Story?

If there is one guaranteed way to draw in viewers, it is to release series based on, or at least inspired by, real events or people. Netflix’s recent successes, such as the historical drama The Empress, the spy series Black Doves, and the biblical movie Mary, have done just that, and there really is no end in sight. Whether it is about religion, crime, or natural disasters, there are many captivating stories out there waiting to be told on-screen.

Netflix’s newest disaster miniseries, La Palma, shook viewers to their core and left them screaming at the screen in utter dismay. Combining tragedies caused by a volcanic eruption and a tsunami, La Palma doesn’t shy away from shedding light on the fragility of humanity and the destructive force nature holds. With some devastating natural catastrophes turning this Netflix series into a chilling must-watch, the question arises whether La Palma is based on a true story. Without further ado, let’s find out.

What Happens in Netflix’s ‘La Palma’?

The chilling new Netflix miniseries centers on a group of geological researchers who are in charge of keeping an eye on the volcanic activity of La Palma’s Cumbre Vieja. A young researcher at the institute, Marie, makes an unsettling discovery and is left to convince her superiors that a catastrophe is about to happen. At the same time, Marie and her colleague, Haukur, continue to discover unusual measurements coming from the mountains, and a Norwegian family is enjoying a sunny getaway on the island.

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What they don’t know yet is that a deadly volcanic eruption is inevitable, and a devastating fight for survival is lingering just around the corner. When numerous earthquakes shake up the people on the island and cause some tragic incidents, Marie and Haukur try everything to convince the head of the institute that a disaster is imminent and that La Palma isn’t the only place at risk. Multiple continents are in danger, as the massive eruption will cause a mega-tsunami and take the lives of thousands of people.

A Part of ‘La Palma’ Is Inspired By a True Story

Although La Palma isn’t based on a true story, the miniseries does reference some real events and threats. Specifically, it mentions a real disaster that happened not too long ago, the deadliest tsunami of 2004, which is the natural disaster at the center of Tom Holland’s captivating movie The Impossible.

The miniseries is set in real-life La Palma, which is one of Spain’s Canary Islands, and it is also home to a volcano, Cumbre Vieja. In 2021, the volcano erupted and caused a wave of destruction. Fortunately, the natural disaster didn’t take any lives, but the aftermath was still heartbreaking. For three months, the volcano was ruining buildings and cutting off roads, which is definitely something that has made it into the chilling miniseries.

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Marie, the geologist who first discovered the unusual measurements and got the ball rolling in hopes of saving at least some people from imminent death, had a heartfelt conversation with her boss, trying to convince him to send out an immediate evacuation request. Worried it would cause an unnecessary mass panic, Álvaro remained stubborn, but she did manage to change his mind by opening up about her own past. Marie explained to him that she was on vacation in Thailand in 2004 with her parents and her brother when a tsunami, which is based on a real-life disaster, changed her life forever. Marie lost both her parents in front of her eyes, which is also what led her to become a geologist and made her feel so strongly about helping people who could potentially face a similar situation.

Netflix’s ‘La Palma’ Takes Many Creative Liberties

Taking creative liberties when telling a true story can certainly backfire, but since Netflix’s La Palma is only partially inspired by real events, the dramatization and captivating storytelling are clearly justified and also much-needed. Its chilling portrayal of fiction is impressively authentic, even reaching a point where it is difficult to distinguish between what is real and what isn’t. La Palma’s blend of fiction and reality surrounding ecological terror makes it one of the best miniseries of the year.

One of the most unsettling parts of La Palma is the depiction of this mega-tsunami causing destruction far beyond the “Isla Bonita.” The Netflix miniseries undoubtedly does a fantastic job of delivering its story in an incredibly plausible way. However, you can rest assured that such a mega-tsunami is highly unlikely, and La Palma simply took creative liberties to make the story even more devastating and daunting. La Palma is available to stream on Netflix.