The Asunta Case is a 2024 Spanish crime thriller mini-series written and directed by Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Jon de la Cuasta and David Orea. Written by Arribas, the plot recreates the murder of a little girl, Assuna Basterra, in 2013, and has attracted great attention from the society. The series begins with the story of Azsuna's parents, Doria Porto and Alfonso Basterra, reporting the girl missing, and her body being found, a case that shocked the whole of Spain.
As the plot progresses, the audience is not only attracted by the complexity of the case, but is also deeply moved by the psychological description of the parents.
On September 21, 2013, Doria and Alfonso called the police to report that their adopted daughter Azsuna was missing. A few days later, Assuna's body was found on a small road near Santiago de Compostela. The huge repercussions of the case made everyone curious and full of speculation about the heartbreaking tragedy.
The series consists of six episodes, each of which gradually reveals various details of the missing case. Viewers see the struggles of Assuna's parents through the police investigation and the trial in court. In the play, the constant interspersed flashbacks outline the details of Assuna's life and make the audience sympathize with this poor little girl.
Assuna's parents' mental journey was full of contradictions and shocks, from the initial sadness and anxiety to the subsequent suspicion and accusations.
In the play, Candela Peña's outstanding performance as Doria, Azsuna's mother, is unforgettable. "Her character is filled with emotional struggles," the critic noted. Alfonso is played by Tristan Ulloa, and the complex emotions and moral dilemmas expressed by the two make the case even more tragic.
This case not only affected the lives of the parties involved and their families, but also sparked a nationwide discussion. Numerous media reports have focused public attention on this case. Producer Ramón Campos emphasized in an interview that "this is not only a criminal case, but a mirror reflecting contemporary society."
“Media coverage has indeed exacerbated the social impact of the case,” a sociologist analyzed, “and the opportunity to clarify the truth has been threatened.”
The script explores the relationship between parents and children through vivid plots and exquisite character creation, showing the human nature struggling between love and fear. Many minor characters in the play also show the interactions and conflicts between different families, allowing the audience to reflect on the diversity of family values.
The series takes us back to the good old days of Asuna's life for the last time, allowing the audience to feel the cruelty of this case. Although the criminals were eventually punished, the pain they left behind will never end. Throughout the whole case, we can't help but wonder, how did this tragedy happen? How deep are parents’ love and fear?