Prepare for a gripping tale of love and danger when The Gardener (El jardinero) premieres April 11, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. This Spanish-language psychological thriller follows Elmer (Álvaro Rico), a emotionally detached hitman raised by his ruthless mother (Cecilia Suárez) to kill without remorse. But when he’s assigned to eliminate a mysterious woman (Catalina Sopelana) in a quiet coastal town, their unexpected passion threatens to unravel years of conditioning—and puts them both in the crosshairs of a deadly criminal underworld.
Blending the tension of The Americans with the lush aesthetics of Call Me By Your Name, The Gardener explores whether love can truly redeem a soul trained for violence. As Elmer and his target pose as gardeners in a picturesque Spanish village, their carefully constructed facade begins to crack under suspicion, desire, and the ever-watchful eyes of his mother’s organization. Early reviews praise its intoxicating mix of romance, suspense, and stunning cinematography that turns idyllic gardens into landscapes of paranoia.
The Gardener (El jardinero): Cast & Characters
1- Álvaro Rico as Elmer
Best known for Elite, Rico delivers a career-defining performance as the lethal but emotionally stunted Elmer. His physical transformation—learning professional gardening and mastering hitman techniques—adds chilling authenticity. Rico’s ability to convey Elmer’s awakening emotions through subtle glances (particularly in silent killing scenes) is haunting.
Key Scene: A wordless 4-minute sequence where Elmer’s hands tremble while pruning roses after his first intimate encounter, mirroring his psychological unraveling.
2- Cecilia Suárez as La China Jurado
The House of Flowers star terrifies as Elmer’s ice-cold mother, a cartel strategist who weaponized her son’s childhood trauma. Suárez balances maternal manipulation with corporate precision, especially when interrogating her son about his “mission delays.”
Key Scene: A birthday flashback revealing how she tested young Elmer’s capacity for violence—a moment that left crew members shaken during filming.
3- Catalina Sopelana as The Target
In her breakout role, Sopelana radiates enigmatic warmth as the woman who disrupts Elmer’s world. Her character’s backstory—a botanist hiding her own secrets—unfolds gradually through plant metaphors.
Key Scene: A tense dinner where she casually names poisonous flowers, making Elmer question if she knows his true identity.
4- Ivan Massagué as The Investigator
The Platform actor brings quiet intensity as a detective piecing together the gardeners’ strange behavior. His cat-and-mouse scenes with Rico crackle with unspoken suspicion.
5- Emma Suárez as The Neighbor
The acclaimed Julieta actress steals scenes as a nosy villager whose gossip threatens to expose the couple. Her character’s greenhouse confrontation with Sopelana is a masterclass in passive-aggressive tension.
Supporting Standouts
- Javier Morgade as a rival hitman posing as a florist
- María Vázquez as a cartel psychologist analyzing Elmer’s “emotional deviation”
- Francis Lorenzo as a corrupt mayor with ties to La China
- Isabel Garrido as Elmer’s only childhood friend, now a threat
- Esteban Roel as a blind gardener who intuitively senses the danger
Why This Thriller Stands Out
- Botanical Symbolism: Each kill mirrors a plant’s toxic properties
- Noir Romance: Smoldering chemistry built through gardening metaphors
- Mother-Son Horror: A villain origin story more disturbing than any murder
- Spanish Landscapes: Lush visuals contrasting with brutal violence
Critical Praise
“Rico and Sopelana’s chemistry could make roses wilt” – El País
“Suárez delivers her most monstrous role yet” – Variety
“A thriller that digs deep into the roots of love and violence” – The Hollywood Reporter
Don’t Miss the Premiere
The Gardener (El jardinero) arrives April 11, 2025, only on Netflix—where every tender touch might be a lie, and blooming love could be deadly.
