Melanie Dell’Olmo
Melissa "Meli" Slevi
Overview
After his brother's death, an ex-convict launches an intricate web of lies and revenge against the privileged family he believes is behind the murder.
Seasons
- Status
- Returning Series
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 65 episodes
- First aired
- Oct 28, 2024
Cast
11 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Slow Burn of a Lie That Catches Fire
I’ve always had a soft spot for revenge stories that don’t rush. The ones where the protagonist spends more time setting the trap than springing it—where the pleasure isn’t in the violence, but in the meticulous unraveling of a life built on deception. Until You Burn understands this. It’s a Colombian telenovela that stretches its 60-episode runtime like a cat in the sun, luxuriating in the tension of a lie that must be lived, not just told.
And yet, for all its soapy excesses, there’s something undeniably compelling about watching a man become the very thing he hates, just to destroy it from the inside.
The series transplants Boris Vian’s 1946 novel I Spit on Your Graves to the sun-bleached, morally murky world of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Brian O’Connor (Cristian Gamero) is our avenging angel—or is he a devil in disguise? After his brother’s murder, he assumes the identity of Vinicio Gallo, a ship captain with ties to the wealthy Obregón Martelli family, the prime suspects in the killing.
What follows isn’t just a revenge plot; it’s a slow-motion infiltration, a psychological game of chess where every move could be his last. The show’s greatest strength is its willingness to let Brian’s deception fester. We don’t just watch him lie; we watch him become the lie, until the line between predator and prey blurs into something far more interesting.
The Colombian setting isn’t just window dressing. The series leans into the country’s stark class divides, using the Obregón Martelli family’s opulence as a kind of gilded cage. Their wealth isn’t just money; it’s power, and power, as the show reminds us, is a kind of violence.
The family’s matriarch, played by Cristina García, is particularly chilling—a woman who wields her privilege like a blade, slicing through lives without ever getting blood on her hands. The show’s visual language reinforces this: the Obregón Martelli mansion is all cool marble and sharp angles, while Brian’s world is warm wood and flickering lamplight. It’s a contrast that speaks volumes about who holds the power—and who’s willing to burn it all down to take it back.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.2/10
"A gripping yet uneven revenge drama with standout performances but a sometimes convoluted plot."
Viewers praise the intense lead performances, particularly Essined Aponte and Cristina García, for bringing depth to the revenge-driven narrative. The series’ dark, atmospheric tone and high-stakes tension are frequently highlighted as strengths. latestnetflix.com's view is that however, some find the storyline overly complex, with pacing issues and underdeveloped side characters detracting from the overall experience.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Essined Aponte and Cristina García deliver compelling, emotionally charged portrayals that anchor the series.
- Atmospheric tension The dark, moody visuals and high-stakes drama create a gripping viewing experience.
- Engaging revenge premise The central plot of vengeance keeps audiences invested in the characters' journeys.
Common complaints
- Overly complex plot Some viewers find the storyline difficult to follow due to its twists and turns.
- Pacing issues Certain episodes drag, slowing down the momentum of the revenge narrative.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles often feel shallow, reducing their impact on the main story.
Recommended for
Revenge drama enthusiasts Fans of dark, atmospheric series Essined Aponte admirers Colombian telenovela viewers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Until You Burn Ignites Colombian Drama with a Star-Studded Revenge Saga
Colombian television is heating up with Until You Burn (Escupiré sobre sus tumbas), the 2024 telenovela that’s already generating buzz for its fiery revenge plot and standout cast. Based on Boris Vian’s controversial 1946 novel I Spit on Your Graves, the series transplants the story’s raw intensity to modern-day Colombia, where betrayal, disguise, and vengeance collide. latestnetflix.com's view is that with a lineup of rising and established stars, Until You Burn promises to be one of the year’s most gripping binge-watches—if the drama behind the scenes is any indication.
A Revenge Plot Steeped in Secrecy
At the heart of Until You Burn is Brian O’Connor (played by Cristian Gamero, per IMDb 
), a man consumed by grief after his brother Sonny’s murder. To infiltrate the powerful Obregón Martelli family—suspected of orchestrating the killing—Brian assumes the identity of Vinicio Gallo, a respected ship captain. The twist? Gallo’s world is a labyrinth of wealth, corruption, and dangerous alliances, forcing Brian to navigate treacherous waters where one wrong move could cost him everything.
The series’ premise, lifted from Vian’s novel, has long been a lightning rod for controversy. The original book was banned in France for its graphic content, and Until You Burn’s adaptation doesn’t shy away from the source material’s darker themes. According to Wikipedia 
, the telenovela aired on Caracol Televisión from October 2024 to February 2025 before landing on Netflix, where its global audience is now dissecting every twist. Rumor has it that the show’s writers took creative liberties with the ending, diverging from Vian’s bleak conclusion—a move that’s already sparking debate among fans.
The Cast: A Mix of Rising Stars and Telenovela Royalty
Until You Burn’s ensemble is a who’s who of Colombian talent, blending fresh faces with veterans of the small screen. Leading the charge is Essined Aponte, whose role as a key player in the Obregón Martelli family has fans speculating about her character’s true loyalties. Aponte, a breakout star of recent Colombian dramas, is no stranger to high-stakes roles, but her performance here is reportedly her most layered yet .
Joining her is María Elisa Camargo, a telenovela staple whose turn as a conflicted love interest has become a talking point. Camargo’s chemistry with Leonardo Acosta, who plays a morally ambiguous ally to Brian, is said to be electric—though whether their relationship is a genuine bond or a manipulation tactic remains one of the show’s biggest mysteries .
The supporting cast delivers its own fireworks. Cristina García and Rita Bendek round out the Obregón Martelli clan, with García reportedly stealing scenes as the family’s ruthless matriarch. Meanwhile, Melanie Dell’Olmo, a relative newcomer, has drawn praise for her portrayal of a character whose fate is tied to Brian’s revenge mission .
Behind the Scenes: A Telenovela with Teeth
While Until You Burn’s on-screen drama is undeniable, the production itself has faced its share of challenges. Filming in Colombia’s coastal regions—where the show’s opulent settings come to life—was reportedly plagued by logistical hurdles, including weather delays and tight shooting schedules . Sources suggest that the cast and crew worked grueling hours to meet Caracol Televisión’s broadcast deadlines, with some scenes requiring multiple takes due to the show’s complex action sequences.
The series’ adaptation of Vian’s novel also raised eyebrows among purists. The original I Spit on Your Graves is a brutal, unflinching critique of racism and violence, and while Until You Burn retains its core themes, it’s unclear how faithfully it adheres to the book’s most provocative elements. Netflix’s decision to pick up the series for international distribution has only amplified scrutiny, with viewers dissecting every episode for deviations from the source material .
**What’s Next for Until You Burn?**
With the first season now streaming on Netflix, speculation is already swirling about a potential renewal. The show’s cliffhanger finale—reportedly involving a shocking betrayal—has left fans clamoring for answers, though no official word on Season 2 has been announced . If the series does return, expect even more twists, as Brian’s undercover mission spirals further into chaos.
For now, Until You Burn stands as a testament to Colombian television’s growing global appeal. With its high-stakes revenge plot, standout performances, and a production that refused to play it safe, the series is proving that telenovelas can still pack a punch—even in an era of endless streaming options.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.