The new Netflix original film, based on true events, stars one of Spain’s most acclaimed actresses. She Walks in Darkness explores one of the most dramatic chapters in recent Spanish history.
At the center of the story is Susana Abaitua, an actress already familiar to global audiences. This time, the Basque star takes on a career‑defining role as Amaia, a Guardia Civil agent who spent over ten years undercover within the terrorist organization ETA. Here is everything you need to know about She Walks in Darkness — from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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She walks in darkness – all the key details
- Original Title: Un fantasma en la batalla
- Genre: Historical thriller, civil drama
- Country of Production: Spain
- Original Language: Spanish
- Year of Production: 2025
- Duration: 107 minutes
- Director / Creator: Agustín Díaz Yanes
- Main Cast: Susana Abaitua, Andrés Gertrúdix, Iraia Elias, Raúl Arévalo, Ariadna Gil
- Production: Belén Atienza, Sandra Hermida, J. A. Bayona
What She Walks in Darkness is about
Set in the Basque Country during the most violent years of ETA, the film, as mentioned, follows Amaia, a Guardia Civil agent who lived undercover for over ten years within the terrorist organization. A mission that will put not only her life at risk but also her identity, suspended between institutional loyalty and personal survival. Through a narrative intertwining historical reconstruction and emotional tension, Phantom at War conveys the atmosphere of fear, violence, and suspicion that marked Spain between the 1960s and 1990s, making the viewer witness to a silent war fought in the shadows.
The cast of She Walks in Darkness
The film centers on Susana Abaitua, a Basque actress with French roots, now considered a leading face in Spanish cinema: her career in her homeland is marked by awards for short and feature films. Her portrayal of Amaia confirms her ability to combine vulnerability and inner strength. Alongside her are Andrés Gertrúdix, Iraia Elias, Raúl Arévalo, and Ariadna Gil, actors who help give a collective and credible portrait of an era marked by political violence.
Is She Walks in Darkness based on a true story?
Yes, it is a true story: in She Walks in Darkness, Abaitua plays Amaia, a Guardia Civil agent who lived undercover for over ten years within the terrorist organization ETA. The film, a political thriller and historical drama with strong civil impact, narrates those years of violence that, between the 1960s and 1990s, stained the Basque Country and all of Spain with blood.
What to expect from the film
The film combines narrative and archival footage, reconstructing attacks and demonstrations that left an indelible mark. Directed by Agustín Díaz Yanes, the film addresses with rigor and intensity the troubled years of the Basque Country, focusing on the life of an agent infiltrated within ETA. The strength of the film lies precisely in its dual nature: on one side a tense and dramatic thriller, on the other a civil reflection that leaves no one indifferent. Phantom at War becomes not only a gripping film but also an opportunity to reflect on a past that continues to weigh on the collective memory.
Behind the scenes
The film was shot on authentic locations in the Basque Country, integrating archival materials and visual testimonies from the era. The production, led by Belén Atienza, Sandra Hermida, and J. A. Bayona (the latter is also the producer of The Snowfall Society), worked closely with historical consultants to ensure accuracy in details. The choice of Susana Abaitua, born in the Basque Country, is no coincidence: the actress has talked about feeling a strong responsibility in representing a still-open wound in her homeland.
When to watch it on Netflix
She Walks in Darkness will be available on Netflix starting October 17, 2025 ► Watch She Walks in Darkness on Netflix
