Day One Review
Director: Víctor Cuadrado and Marta Pahissa
Date Created: 2026-03-13 15:43
2.5
Day One Review: Directed by Víctor Cuadrado and Marta Pahissa, the Spanish-language thriller series on Prime Video features Álex González as Ulises Albet, along with Asier Etxeandía, Alba Planas, Renata Notni, Iván Massagué and others. The series has a total of six episodes, each lasting approximately 40 minutes. The series revolves around Ulises, a computer engineering genius who goes back to his previous life when he receives a message from a friend in trouble over a revolutionary technology that could change the world.
Day One Review
Prime Video series Day One is a dive into the darker corners of inventing, a techno-thriller that seeks to explore what power means when it resides in a nerve centre of modern life. The premise is compelling; a technology that influences emotions and actions has precedent, though it is certainly relevant when treated effectively. There is certainly a clear interest in the exploration of artificial intelligence and the growing power of tech giants. Though for all the promise that the premise has on paper, the execution feels somewhat less impressive than it has the potential to be.
The pacing is fast, perhaps a bit faster than it needs to be. The Day One series drives the plot forward at a frenetic pace, putting the characters into danger almost from the get-go. It is certainly a pace that keeps the series entertaining, though it does feel like it works against the story a bit by giving it a depth that it never quite has a chance to explore. There are moments that pass without quite the emotional resonance that they might have had. There are moments that feel less impactful than they could have been.
At the centre of the story is the character of Ulises, played by Álex González. His character is developed around the concept of a haunted past that refuses to let him go, with the guilt serving as the fuel for all that he does. González gives a good, calm performance as the character, bringing a sense of resolve to the figure of Ulises. He is not a flashy character, more a man who is forced back into a world he was hoping to escape. Even as the character feels a little underdeveloped, González makes him interesting enough to keep our attention focused on him.
Another major character is that of Rebecca, played by Alba Planas. She gets drawn into the mess almost by accident, only to quickly become embroiled in the danger that the character of Ulises finds himself in. The character of Rebecca brings a different perspective to the story, a woman who is trying to understand the mess while helping to get to the truth of the matter. There is good chemistry between González and Planas, making the relationship between the characters one of the better aspects of the series. The series makes a point of not making the relationship between the characters too romantic, keeping it more focused on the practical side.
The supporting cast is just as good, especially when it comes to Asier Etxeandía’s Samuel, who not only launches the story off the ground but also keeps it moving. The characters associated with the powerful tech firm layer the conspiracy nicely, though there are not quite enough scenes to let them shine. There are a great many of these characters whose sole purpose is to advance the story.
The promise of Prime Video’s Day One story lies in the technology. It raises the question of how much technology should be advanced. Should technology meant to “help” humanity be used against it just as easily? With the talk of AI and technology surrounding the globe, the theme is certainly relevant. However, the story never really delves too deeply into the theme. Instead of exploring the technology, the story goes back to the chase.
One of the biggest disappointments for me is that it feels so predictable. For a thriller that centres on a grand conspiracy, the twists and turns just aren’t as surprising as they ought to be. So many of the major plot points feel like they’re telegraphed from a mile away, and the main conflict is something that we see from the get-go. Rather than building on the mystery throughout the series, we’re spending more time with the characters trying to prevent something that we’ve already learned from the get-go. This means that the tension level never quite reaches the heights that we’d expect from a story like this.
Prime Video Day One Review: Summing Up
In the end, the 2026 Prime Video series Day One finds itself in a bit of a frustrating place. It’s neither a bad series nor a particularly great one. It has a compelling premise, a great cast of characters, and a setting that has a lot of potential for interesting ideas. Unfortunately, the predictability and lack of emotional depth mean that it never quite becomes a compelling series.
While it is certainly watchable as a lightweight thriller, especially given the fact that it’s a relatively short series, if you’re looking for something that’s quick and that you can finish in a couple of sittings, then the Spanish thriller Day One might be something that holds your interest for a while. When compared to other tech-focused thrillers, though, this show just fails to leave a lasting impression.
