The Eternaut: Netflix adapts Argentine comic, reignites search for dictatorship’s missing

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Snow falls silently over Buenos Aires, but it carries a deadly poison that decimates the population. Juan Salvo, an ordinary man, wakes up in a ravaged world where survival demands courage and sacrifice. This is the premise of The Eternaut, a series launched by Netflix on April 30, 2025, adapting the iconic 1957 Argentine comic book. Starring Ricardo Darín, the six-episode production dives into science fiction but carries a historical weight that transcends entertainment.

The original work, created by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, became a cultural milestone in Argentina. Published in chapters in Hora Cero magazine, the story blends suspense, resistance, and social critique in a Cold War context. Oesterheld, a visionary writer, infused the narrative with his political concerns, which years later would cost him and his family their lives.

Netflix’s adaptation, directed by Bruno Stagnaro, uses cutting-edge visual effects to recreate the toxic snowstorm and battles against an alien force. The series also retains the human tone of the story, focusing on Salvo’s struggle to reunite with his wife and daughter in an apocalyptic setting. Moreover, the production rekindles memories of one of the darkest periods in Argentine history.

• Historical basis: The series reflects Argentina’s military dictatorship (1976-1983), which left around 30,000 disappeared.
• Stellar cast: Alongside Darín, names like Carla Peterson and César Troncoso feature in the cast.
• Ambitious production: Filmed in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, the series blends real locations and digital sets.
• Cultural impact: The premiere sparked new campaigns for justice and memory in Argentina.

Origins of a classic

Héctor Germán Oesterheld began writing The Eternaut in 1957, in collaboration with artist Francisco Solano López. The story emerged during a time of global tensions, with the Cold War shaping fears of annihilation. In the plot, a radioactive snowstorm isolates Buenos Aires, and Juan Salvo, a radio technician, organizes a group of survivors to face extraterrestrial invaders. The narrative, published weekly, captivated readers with its mix of realism and fantasy.

Oesterheld, known for works like Sargento Kirk, brought a humanist vision to The Eternaut. His characters were not superheroes but ordinary people united by solidarity. This approach resonated with the Argentine public, who saw in the story echoes of their own struggles. The work also stood out for Solano López’s detailed drawings, depicting a recognizable yet transformed Buenos Aires.

Over time, The Eternaut gained cult status. Reprints in the 1960s and 1970s kept the story alive, while translations into Spanish, English, and Italian expanded its reach. Netflix, in adapting the work, faced the challenge of honoring this legacy while updating the narrative for a global audience.

A real tragedy

While The Eternaut depicted a fictional invasion, Argentina faced a far more tangible nightmare. In 1976, a military coup established Jorge Rafael Videla’s dictatorship, marked by brutal repression. Thousands of citizens were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in clandestine centers. Héctor Oesterheld, then a renowned writer, did not remain indifferent to this horror.

Politically engaged, Oesterheld joined the Montoneros, a resistance group fighting the regime. His four daughters—Diana, Estela, Beatriz, and Marina—also became involved. Between 1976 and 1977, the family was abducted by the military. Diana, six months pregnant, and Marina, about to give birth, were among the victims. None of them returned home.

Oesterheld is believed to have been held in captivity until 1979, when he was likely executed. His newborn grandchildren, possibly given to regime-affiliated families, were never found. Oesterheld’s wife, Elsa Sánchez, and two young grandsons, Martín and Fernando, were the only family survivors.

• Disappearances: Around 30,000 people vanished during the dictatorship, per human rights estimates.
• Clandestine centers: Places like ESMA (Navy Mechanics School) were used for torture and execution.
• Cultural resistance: Writers and artists, like Oesterheld, used their art to denounce the regime.

Symbol of memory

In Argentina, The Eternaut transcends its status as a comic. Juan Salvo, with his makeshift suit and relentless determination, became an icon of resistance. Murals of his image adorn Buenos Aires’ walls, and the story is mandatory reading in schools. Netflix’s series, by bringing this narrative to streaming, reinforces its relevance in a country still grappling with the dictatorship’s scars.

Organizations like Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo see the premiere as an opportunity to renew searches for justice. A campaign launched in May 2025, in partnership with HIJOS, urges people born between 1976 and 1978 with identity doubts to come forward. The initiative targets Oesterheld’s grandchildren born in captivity but also encompasses the roughly 500 babies stolen during the regime.

The series, filmed with historical consultants, avoids romanticizing violence but highlights the characters’ resilience. Ricardo Darín, in interviews, described playing Juan Salvo as one of his most challenging roles, requiring a balance of emotion and action.

Production and technical challenges

Adapting The Eternaut for the screen was no small feat. Netflix assembled an international team, with Argentine directors and visual effects technicians from studios like Weta Digital. Filming, conducted between 2023 and 2024, faced delays due to heavy rains in Buenos Aires, but the result impresses with its fidelity to the original work.

The toxic snowstorm, a central element, was created using practical effects and CGI. Action scenes, like battles with alien machines, required complex choreography and months of post-production. The soundtrack, composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, adds layers of tension and melancholy, evoking the spirit of 1950s Buenos Aires.

• Filming locations: Besides Buenos Aires, scenes were shot in Montevideo studios and rural Uruguayan sites.
• Visual effects: Weta Digital, known for The Lord of the Rings, crafted the alien creatures.
• Budget: Estimates suggest a $40 million cost for the first season.
• Fidelity to the source: The series retains dialogue inspired by the comics, adapted for modern audiences.

Initial reception

Since its debut, The Eternaut has ranked among Netflix’s most-watched series in Latin America. In Argentina, the production sparked debates on social media, with praise for Darín’s performance and some criticism of modernized plot elements. Comic fans celebrated the decision to keep the setting in Buenos Aires rather than a generic locale.

Critics praised the series’ balance of action and historical drama. Clarín called it “a tribute to Argentine resilience, avoiding clichés.” La Nación noted that the series “connects with new generations without losing Oesterheld’s essence.”

International reception is also strong. Outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter lauded the visual effects and emotional depth. The series has secured a second season, with filming slated for 2026.

Renewed searches

The debut of The Eternaut coincided with a new chapter in the search for the dictatorship’s disappeared. Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, founded in 1977, intensified campaigns in 2025, leveraging the series’ visibility to reach potential stolen grandchildren. To date, 133 children have been identified and reunited with their biological families, but hundreds of cases remain open.

For Oesterheld, hope rests on the grandchildren born in captivity. Diana Oesterheld, abducted in 1977, was six months pregnant, while Marina, captured in the same period, was expecting a child. Estimated birth dates—November 1976 and between November 1977 and January 1978—anchor the current campaign.

• Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo: The organization has located 133 grandchildren, with about 350 cases still under investigation.
• HIJOS: The group works to preserve memory and seek justice.
• DNA testing: Genetic banks, like Argentina’s National Genetic Data Bank, aid in identification.

Cultural legacy

The Eternaut is not just a sci-fi story but a living document of Argentine history. Oesterheld’s work inspired generations of writers, artists, and activists. In the 1980s, after the dictatorship’s end, the story was reprinted and adapted for theater and radio.

Today, Juan Salvo is more than a character. His image, immortalized in Solano López’s drawings, appears in protests and human rights events. Netflix’s series, by bringing this story to millions, reinforces Oesterheld’s message: resistance is collective, and memory is an ongoing struggle.

Argentine schools have incorporated The Eternaut into curricula, using it to discuss authoritarianism and citizenship. In 2025, cultural events in Buenos Aires celebrated the series’ launch with exhibitions of Solano López’s original artwork and debates on the work’s impact.

A technical perspective

The production of The Eternaut reflects Netflix’s growing investment in Latin American content. Casting Ricardo Darín, one of Argentina’s most acclaimed actors, ensured commercial appeal and artistic credibility. Bruno Stagnaro’s direction, known for Okupas, brought an authentic lens to the adaptation.

The production design faithfully recreated 1950s Buenos Aires, from radios to military uniforms. Action scenes, while intense, prioritize human drama, with long shots capturing the characters’ anguish. The cinematography, by Félix Monti, uses gray tones to evoke the snowstorm’s desolation.

• Direction: Bruno Stagnaro collaborated with historical consultants for authenticity.
• Supporting cast: Actors like Carla Peterson add depth to secondary roles.
• Post-production: Editing, done in Los Angeles, took six months to complete.

Social media echo

The hashtag #TheEternaut trended in Argentina post-premiere. Fans shared Juan Salvo illustrations and comic excerpts, while activists used the series to promote human rights causes. Posts on X highlighted the story’s relevance amid political polarization in Latin America.

Campaigns like Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo’s gained traction online, with thousands of shares. Users born in the mentioned dates began seeking information, and the National Genetic Data Bank reported a 20% spike in inquiries in May 2025.

The series also sparked memes and debates. Some viewers joked about Juan Salvo’s suit resembling Covid-19 protective gear, while others praised Darín’s casting as “perfect” for his dramatic intensity.