Netflix’s ‘The Gardener’: A Dexter Wannabe That Wilts Under Pressure

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In an effort to replicate the captivating allure of “Dexter”, Netflix’s show “The Gardener” might be more suitably forgotten and buried. This lackluster Spanish thriller portrays the dual life of Elmer (Alvaro Rico), who is a diligent gardener during the day and a covert assassin at night, striving to conceal his secrets beneath the earth. The story unfolds through flashbacks narrated by his mother, La China (Cecilia Suarez), initially presenting an intriguing suspense plot, but ultimately devolving into a saccharine romantic tale with minimal merit.

In simpler terms, the show “The Gardener” struggles to compare favorably to “Dexter.” Its questionable plot, weak lead performance, and familiar feel make it unimpressive. Watching it feels more like a time-wasting distraction than a compelling series that’s worth your attention.

‘The Gardener’s Rote Premise, Explained

The Netflix Spanish series titled “The Gardener” presents a captivating romantic thriller narrative centered around Elmer, a skilled botanist and gardener who secretly conducts a hitman business alongside his mother, La China. From the very beginning, the show invites viewers to empathize with Elmer, even though he struggles to express his emotions.

Via flashbacks narrated by La China, we discover that Elmer, having suffered severe head trauma in a car accident, has become an emotionless shell, incapable of feeling anything. This presents a challenge for both writers and directors, as it becomes difficult for the audience to empathize or care for a character who himself cannot feel or care for others.

Initially, Elmer appears cold and empty, but when Violeta (Catalina Sopelana), a kindergarten teacher, arrives at the 30-minute mark, she brings about an unexpected change in Elmer. Suddenly, Elmer finds himself developing romantic feelings for this stranger, creating a moral dilemma that momentarily prevents him from carrying out his intended act of violence.

As Elmer and Violeta grow more intimate, Elmer’s relationship with La China deteriorates. This puts immense pressure on their shared criminal enterprise, forcing Elmer into a difficult position as he juggles his day job with his clandestine role as an assassin. Regrettably, what initially seemed like a compelling, edgy murder mystery filled with complex characters, turns out to be a diluted imitation of various shows such as Dexter, Bates Motel, Obituary, and Grosse Pointe Garden Society.

How ‘The Gardener’ Fails To Recapture ‘Dexter’s Appeal

The Gardener struggles to match Dexter’s level of entertainment due to a number of issues. The most obvious problem is the implausible storyline and the unrealistic premise that stretches the audience’s suspension of disbelief. This is because viewers are expected to accept that, after decades of emotional distance and mental trauma resulting from severe brain damage, Elmer miraculously overcomes these issues almost instantaneously upon falling in love with Violeta at their first meeting.

This fundamental idea is hard to believe, making the shovel of ‘The Gardener’ seem unusually worn out even before it starts digging. The transition from a cold, mechanical character to a lovable romantic is too implausible to accept, especially since this change happens within the first half hour. As we delve deeper into the plot, ‘The Gardener’ appears more and more unimaginative and lacking in originality.

In a rather predictable and unoriginal manner, La China’s meddling and the tired stereotypes of love triangles cloud the narrative, as Elmer strives to distance himself from his criminal past to nurture his budding relationship. Regrettably, this plotline fails to impress or offer fresh insights, especially compared to the complex mother-son dynamics portrayed in shows like Bates Motel, where a hidden serial killer’s influence endangers their motel business.

Compared to Dexter’s captivating Miami backdrop, The Gardner boasts equally enchanting floral displays. However, since The Gardner fails to match the depth of psychological exploration found in Dexter, I find it challenging to advocate for watching The Gardner over Dexter.

Better Alternatives to ‘The Gardener’ You Should Check Out

Despite Dexter‘s finale being widely criticized, it still outshines The Gardener. In fact, numerous other psychological TV thrillers are currently popular in 2025 that could serve as great alternatives. Although Bates Motel concluded in 2017, a new series on NBC called Grosse Pointe Garden Society premiered in February 2025 and shares similarities with The Gardener.

The Grosse Pointe Garden Club Series, streaming on Peacock, follows four close friends who manage the gardening club. Unbeknownst to many, this tranquil haven serves as the secret burial spot for a person they collectively killed several months prior. This network drama has garnered a wide audience and critical acclaim, boasting a 71% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an impressive 88% audience score. In contrast, The Gardener has received more mixed reviews with a 50% rating from critics and 74% from the audience.

Discussing tales about gardeners in a psychological sense, this leads us to Paul Schrader’s 2022 movie titled Master Gardener, which is streaming on Hulu and features Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver. While The Gardner also explores such themes, Master Gardener does it with a quiet sense of mystery and a gradually increasing tension that outmatches the suspense found in most Spanish TV shows.

Although it may not be as well-known, the Irish television series “Obituary” (streaming on Hulu) stands out more than “The Gardener” in its similarity to Dexter. With a darkly humorous tone, Obituary tells the story of Elvira Clancy (played by Siobhán Cullen), a young woman fascinated by death who lands her dream job writing obituaries for her small Irish town of Kilraven. When Elvira is on the brink of being fired and instructed to work freelance, she takes control by murdering individuals and penning their obituaries. Filming for Season 2 of Obituary is ongoing for a yet-to-be-announced release in 2025.

While The Gardener offers some amusement, Dexter fans might find a greater appeal in other murder mysteries of superior quality that share a similar concept.

The Gardener is available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-05-04 00:35