Pedro Alonso
Overview
On the Ship of Enchantment (2025) follows characters drawn into a defining documentary crisis, where private motives collide with public stakes. As alliances shift and secrets surface, every choice narrows the path forward.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 3 episodes
- First aired
- Jan 7, 2025
Cast
Reviews
6 min readThe Actor as Pilgrim
I didn’t expect Pedro Alonso to show up like this. Not the man who played Berlin in Money Heist—all swagger and sharp suits, a villain you couldn’t help but root for—but a man stripped down to his doubts, standing in the middle of a Mexican desert at dusk, his face half-lit by a fire that feels older than language. That’s the first image of On the Ship of Enchantment, and it’s a jolt.
Alonso isn’t here to perform. He’s here to ask questions. And, more unsettlingly, to let us watch as he tries to answer them.
The series is a documentary, or at least it calls itself one. Three episodes, each a step deeper into the world of Mexican traditional medicine, where the line between healer and patient blurs into something like ritual theater. Alonso travels from the Sierra Mazateca to the sacred desert of Wirikuta, meeting curanderos and chamanes who offer him (and us) a glimpse into a way of seeing the world that’s equal parts practical and mystical.
There’s no script, or if there is, it’s written in the smoke of copal incense and the murmur of prayers that have been passed down for generations.
What’s striking about On the Ship of Enchantment isn’t just the subject matter—though that’s compelling enough—but the way Alonso frames his own journey. This isn’t a detached exploration of "exotic" traditions. It’s personal.
Intensely so. Alonso doesn’t just observe the rituals; he participates in them. He drinks the bitter tea of the temazcal, a sweat lodge ceremony meant to purify body and soul.
He sits in silence with a curandera as she reads the patterns in a bowl of water, as if the future were something you could hold in your hands. And, in one of the most arresting moments of the series, he takes part in a peyote ceremony, his face a mask of concentration as the world around him seems to dissolve into light and shadow.
It’s hard to watch these scenes without wondering about the man behind the camera. Alonso has spoken openly about his struggles with depression after Money Heist ended, about the way fame can hollow you out if you’re not careful. There’s a sense, watching On the Ship of Enchantment, that this series is his way of filling that hollow back up.
Not with the noise of another blockbuster, but with something quieter. Something that demands he be present, fully and uncomfortably so.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.2/10
"A visually poetic documentary that captivates with its introspective journey but may leave some wanting deeper narrative substance."
Viewers praise the series for its stunning cinematography and Pedro Alonso’s deeply personal exploration of themes like identity and belonging. The meditative pacing and atmospheric storytelling resonate with those who appreciate slow, immersive documentaries. However, some find the narrative structure too abstract, latestnetflix.com contends, lacking the concrete depth or emotional payoff expected from a more traditional documentary format.
What viewers praise
- Visually stunning The series is celebrated for its breathtaking cinematography, which enhances the emotional and thematic weight of the journey.
- Introspective and personal Alonso’s reflective approach creates a deeply intimate and thought-provoking experience for those drawn to introspective storytelling.
- Atmospheric and immersive The slow, deliberate pacing and rich atmosphere draw viewers into the world of the series, making it a unique and engaging watch.
Common complaints
- Lacks narrative depth Some viewers feel the series is too abstract, missing the concrete storytelling or emotional resolution found in more conventional documentaries.
- Slow pacing The meditative rhythm, while appreciated by some, frustrates others who prefer a more dynamic or fast-paced narrative.
- Limited accessibility The series’ poetic and abstract style may not appeal to those seeking straightforward or easily digestible content.
Recommended for
Documentary enthusiasts Fans of introspective storytelling Lovers of visual poetry Pedro Alonso admirers Slow-burn narrative seekers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsPedro Alonso’s Spiritual Odyssey: Inside On the Ship of Enchantment
Pedro Alonso, the Spanish actor best known for his role as Berlin in Money Heist, is charting a radically different course with his latest project, On the Ship of Enchantment (2025). This Netflix series marks Alonso’s directorial debut and a deeply personal journey—one that trades heist thrillers for hallucinogenic rituals, ancestral medicine, latestnetflix.com argues, and a quest for spiritual rebirth.
A Director’s Reinvention
Alonso isn’t just starring in On the Ship of Enchantment; he’s the series’ creator and co-director, alongside Enrique Baró Ubach 
. The project represents a sharp pivot from his blockbuster past, diving into the world of Mexican traditional healing with a raw, documentary-like approach. Sources describe it as a "travelogue of the soul" 
, with Alonso immersing himself in ceremonies that blur the line between performance and personal transformation.
The series follows Alonso as he traverses Mexico, seeking out masters of ancestral medicine—chamanes, curanderos, and guardians of pre-Hispanic rituals . One standout moment involves a temazcal, a sweat lodge ceremony symbolizing physical and spiritual purification . It’s a far cry from the high-stakes drama of Money Heist, but Alonso’s commitment to the material is undeniable. Rumors suggest the actor’s own struggles with depression post-Money Heist fueled his desire to explore alternative healing , though Netflix hasn’t confirmed this narrative.
Peyote, Ayahuasca, and the Limits of Performance
Alonso’s journey isn’t just observational. The series reportedly features him participating in rituals involving peyote and ayahuasca , substances long used in Indigenous traditions for spiritual insight. While the extent of his involvement remains unclear, the inclusion of these practices raises questions about the ethics of non-Indigenous artists engaging with sacred ceremonies. Netflix’s promotional materials frame the series as a respectful exploration , but critics may scrutinize whether the project risks exoticizing or commodifying Indigenous knowledge.
The cast includes local healers like Julia Guizar García and Sara Marcé Vuelvas , suggesting a collaborative approach. However, details about their roles—or whether they were consulted on the series’ portrayal of their traditions—are scarce. What’s certain is that Alonso’s on-screen presence is central, with the actor serving as both guide and subject .
A Series Born from Personal Crisis?
Alonso’s shift from antihero to spiritual seeker isn’t just creative whimsy. Spanish media outlets have linked the project to his well-documented post-Money Heist depression, describing On the Ship of Enchantment as a "homeric odyssey" of recovery . The actor has reportedly spoken about using extreme physical experiences—like ice baths and sweat lodges—to process his emotional state . Whether this vulnerability translates into compelling television remains to be seen, but the premise alone is a gamble for Netflix, which typically leans into escapist fare.
The series’ tone is likely to be polarizing. Trailers hint at a mix of travelogue, ethnography, and personal essay , a blend that could either feel groundbreaking or self-indulgent. With no confirmed episode count or release date beyond 2025, the project’s scope is still a mystery. What’s clear is that Alonso is betting big on a story that’s as much about his own journey as it is about Mexico’s spiritual traditions.
The Bottom Line
On the Ship of Enchantment is either a bold reinvention or a vanity project—depending on who you ask. Alonso’s willingness to trade a global villain for a role as a seeker is undeniably risky, especially when the subject matter treads into sacred territory. If the series succeeds, it could redefine his career. If it misfires, it may be remembered as a curious footnote in the post-Money Heist era.
For now, the only certainty is that Alonso is all in. Whether audiences will follow remains the real mystery.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.