REVIEW: ‘Billionaires’ Bunker’ Is Intriguing, But Loses Itself In Melodrama

Billionaires’ Bunker (El refugio atómico) sees a group of rich European elites take refuge in a high-security bunker when an imminent nuclear war threatens. Once inside, they find themselves tested by the stress of the unfolding catastrophe outside, and their complicated histories with some of their fellow “guests.” Unbeknownst to them, not everything about the bunker is as it seems. 

At its core, this series delivers an intriguing premise. The truth behind the bunker is surprising when it’s revealed, and fun to watch as its purpose unfolds. While the resources, skill, and luck necessary to pull off the scheme are far-fetched at best, the writing and cast do a surprising job of convincing you it could be done.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the goal, targets, and state of the world, you’re not always sure you don’t want them to succeed, despite the bunker’s crew being the nominal villains. 

The balance of the plan’s objectives and how plain crazy it is in scope and execution are projected excellently through its lead figure, Minerva (Miren Ibarguren). The bunker’s mastermind oscillates between madness and brilliance so frequently you can get dizzy keeping track. Ibarguren handles this unbalanced character fantastically, with some great expressive deliveries that help sell Minerva’s less-than-stable personality. 

While the plot at the center of Billionaires’ Bunker is the core of the story, the far larger focus of the series’s eight episodes is on the drama that plays out between the wealthy guests. Some long-standing bad blood exists between the two central clans of occupants, leading to an unfolding series of reveals, twists, and betrayals one can usually only find in soap operas. 

Some of the reveals lead to interesting moments, while many others simply plunge the occupants into a deeper pit of moral degeneration. The lows the characters stoop to at times are truly abysmal, making it hard to root for anyone. Even the pair of characters the series tries to craft as the best of the bunch falls short due to some poor plot planning. 

Everyone is unlikeable in Billionaires’ Bunker in the worst ways.

As the series opens, we learn about Max (Pau Simon). Having recently been released from prison, he is picked up by his father as the rush to get to the bunker plays out. Max largely stays out of the more loathsome tendencies of the cast, as he is more occupied with figuring out why the bunker feels more like the prison he just left than a safety retreat for billionaires. 

Billionaires’ Bunker fails Max with his choice of love interests. Asia, the younger sister of his deceased girlfriend, swiftly finds herself falling in love with her departed sister’s boyfriend. If that setup doesn’t make a potential romance feel awkward enough, numerous circumstances exist at the start of the show that make the pairing feel even more awkward and unlikely. 

All of this drama comes to a head in the final couple of episodes, culminating in some of the most rushed-to-get-to and poorly implemented sex scenes I’ve seen. Ranging from shock value to truly bizarre, these moments feel gratuitous in almost every instance. They generally serve little purpose but to further highlight the skeeziness of the cast, which is already fully confirmed long before the clothes come off. 

Drama just doesn’t pay off in Billionaires’ Bunker.

Despite so much overdone backstabbing and ill-used sex, Billionaires’ Bunker does have some strong moments of genuine emotion. A handful of times, the twists and turns of the complex relationships between the characters bring about some powerful moments as tears are shed and pain and vulnerability are allowed to show. 

Billionaires’ Bunker strives to accomplish a lot, but only partially succeeds. Its intriguing premise brings some captivating storytelling and interesting characters to the series. However, the strongest qualities of the series are drowned out by the layers of rich people behaving badly, which the series spends most of its time wallowing in. Unless you are simply a lover of “mess” narratives, this one will probably be a hard pass. 

Billionaires’ Bunker is streaming now on Netflix.