Only two days after landing on Netflix, this intense Colombian series has broken into the platform’s French top 10 — and for good reason. With twisted family secrets, psychological tension and a haunting atmosphere, it’s the kind of show that lingers long after the credits roll.
A quiet release, a loud response
July’s not even over, but Netflix has already served up its fair share of fresh content. While big hitters like Squid Game season 3 and A Wild Nature are still holding strong in the top rankings, it’s Delirio — a lesser-known newcomer — that’s caught audiences off guard.
Released on 18 July, this Colombian psychological drama has climbed to fifth place in Netflix France’s top 10 within just 48 hours. Not bad for a show that arrived without much noise but quickly became one of the most talked-about titles on the platform.
What is Delirio really about?
At its core, Delirio is a deeply unsettling story about love, memory, and the limits of loyalty. We follow Fernando Aguilar, a literature professor who returns home from Bogotá expecting normality — and instead finds his wife Agustina in a full-blown mental crisis. She’s disoriented, irrational, and barely recognisable.
Refusing to walk away, Fernando begins a journey to uncover what could have triggered such a dramatic psychological breakdown. But what starts as concern spirals into obsession, as his search pulls him deep into his family’s murky past. Along the way, buried childhood traumas, political tensions, and long-forgotten secrets resurface — blurring the line between truth and madness.
It’s not a show for the faint-hearted. With its slow-burn suspense and emotional intensity, Delirio explores how the past can cling to us like smoke — even when we think we’ve outrun it.
From page to screen: a literary adaptation with teeth
Delirio isn’t just another scripted drama — it’s based on the award-winning novel by Laura Restrepo, first published in 2004. The book itself won the prestigious Alfaguara Prize that same year, followed by the Grinzane Cavour Prize in 2006. That literary pedigree shows in the show’s layered narrative and nuanced performances.
This is the second time Netflix has adapted a major Colombian novel, the first being Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude — a bold move that paid off with critical acclaim.
In Delirio, you can feel the novel’s literary roots in every scene. The characters are complex, the pacing deliberate, and the dialogue often poetic in its sadness. But make no mistake — this isn’t just for bookworms. The series offers plenty of edge-of-your-seat drama, stylish direction, and moments of raw emotional power.
Why it’s earning its age rating — and its popularity
Officially rated 16+, Delirio doesn’t shy away from its darker elements. Mental illness, political history, and family dysfunction all take centre stage, handled with both sensitivity and unflinching honesty. It’s the kind of show you’ll want to talk about after watching — maybe even rewatch, once you realise how many details were hiding in plain sight.
In a streaming landscape dominated by fast-paced thrillers and fantasy epics, Delirio is something different: a series that dares to go slow, dig deep, and leave you questioning what you thought you knew.
If you’re in the mood for something bold, unsettling and beautifully made — this might just be the next show for your list. But fair warning: it’s likely to stay with you long after you hit pause.
