Exploring Dystopia: How Netflix’s ‘The Eternaut’ Brings an Iconic Argentine Comic to Global Audiences

In Buenos Aires, a group of friends sits down for a card game when, suddenly, the power goes out. Snow begins to fall, but this isn’t just any snow. It’s deadly. The friends now face a struggle for survival, realizing that humanity itself is in jeopardy. This gripping scenario unfolds in “The Eternaut,” a dystopian series from Argentina that premiered on Netflix on April 30. Its blend of sci-fi and exploration of resilience has captured viewers, quickly climbing to the top of Netflix’s non-English-language charts.

Netflix has already greenlit a second season, set to begin filming next year. But “The Eternaut” resonates in Argentina on a deeper level. It’s based on a comic by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, who wrote it in 1957, two decades before he was forcibly disappeared under the military dictatorship, alongside his daughters.

This resurgence in interest has sparked a race among publishers to reissue earlier editions. Fantagraphics Books in Seattle plans to release a new English translation due to increasing demand.

Moreover, the TV adaptation has stirred historical memories, especially during a time of rising tension in Argentine society under President Javier Milei. “The boom of ‘The Eternaut’ has created a cultural event beyond the series,” said Martín Oesterheld, the writer’s grandson and a producer on the show. “It stirs pride in our history.”

The series depicts an alien invasion in an everyday city, showcasing iconic sites like neoclassical buildings and vibrant pizza parlors. For many Argentines, it’s a chilling experience to see their city turned to chaos on screen.

As the characters navigate their challenges, they engage in truco, a beloved Argentine card game, and sip mate, a traditional drink. The strange snowfall is particularly poignant; Buenos Aires has only seen snow twice in the last century. “The Eternaut” artfully contrasts life and death, familiar and alien, according to Argentine researcher Martín Hadis. He believes it’s not just a sci-fi story but a modern myth that resonates universally.

In this updated version, the show references Argentina’s 1982 conflict over the Falkland Islands. The protagonist, Juan Salvo, played by acclaimed actor Ricardo Darín, grapples with the loss of comrades during that war, a wound that remains fresh. “The conflict in Las Malvinas isn’t resolved; it still hurts,” Darín noted. “It’s bringing these issues back to the forefront.”

As the friends confront their new reality, they rely on their creativity and their bonds with each other. This reflects the Argentine spirit of “atado con alambre,” or making do with what little you have. Martín Oesterheld emphasized its importance in a country experiencing economic turmoil and cultural cuts under Milei’s government. “We’re showcasing Argentine culture to the world,” he said.

Amid this backdrop, the show’s message of community takes on a new urgency, especially as Argentines protest against government budget cuts impacting retirees. The motto, “No one gets through it alone,” has become a rallying cry for unity in face of these struggles.

As the series gained popularity, it also reignited interest in the real-life disappearance of Oesterheld and his family, with missing-persons flyers now appearing around Buenos Aires. The military junta targeted Oesterheld for his leftist views, and his daughters were abducted when they were involved in guerrilla movements. The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group dedicated to finding lost children from that era, have seen a surge of support since the show’s launch, drawing connections between the storyline and real-life disappearances.

Esteban Herrera, a member of the Grandmothers, noted the overwhelming response to their appeals for information about the missing. He said, “It’s incredible how a science fiction series can reach homes and inspire a search for justice.”

“The Eternaut” has become more than a narrative; it’s a reflection of Argentina’s unresolved past and a symbol of hope for a future where no one is forgotten. “It’s a story that remains alive,” Martín Oesterheld said. “Having it embraced by so many is a powerful social commentary.”

For more insights into Argentine history and current affairs, visit AP News on Latin America.

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