The Eternaut speaks to our uneasy times – that’s why this cult comic has become a global Netflix hit – Jordana Timerman

The Netflix series The Eternaut is a sci-fi thriller that breaks away from traditional alien invasion tropes. Instead of New York or rural America, the story takes place in Buenos Aires, where giant alien bugs controlled by an unseen extraterrestrial overlord take over the city. The series does not follow a lone hero who saves the day, but rather focuses on how ordinary Argentinians face an existential threat. There is no single savior in the story, and the true hero is a collective hero, a human group. The series' tagline, Nadie se salva solo, translates to "nobody is saved alone". The Eternaut is based on a 1950s comic by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, who believed that the only valid hero is the hero "in group", never the individual hero alone. The series has become a global hit, but it does not offer a happy ending, with victory seeming far away and unsure if humanity will triumph. The show's themes have inspired real-world protests, reflecting the idea that collective action is necessary to face existential threats. The Eternaut's unique approach to the sci-fi genre has resonated with audiences worldwide. Overall, the series is a thought-provoking thriller that challenges traditional hero narratives.