In a landscape saturated with glossy, wish-fulfilment love stories, a Spanish miniseries has emerged that captures the beautifully messy reality of modern relationships with astonishing accuracy. 'The New Years' (Los Años Nuevos), streaming exclusively on Mubi, is being hailed as a near-perfect depiction of a formative, on-off romance, destined to captivate fans of hits like Normal People and One Day.
A Decade of Love, Life, and Lived-In Detail
Structured across ten episodes, each set on a successive New Year's Eve, the series charts the evolving connection between Óscar (Francesco Carril) and Ana (Iria del Río). We first meet them on 31 December 2015, both approaching 30: Óscar is a morose medical student nursing a breakup, while the free-spirited Ana dreams of moving abroad. Their initial bond, formed at a mutual friend's party, doesn't lead to instant coupledom. Instead, the narrative embraces a stop-start trajectory that feels profoundly true to life, with missed connections and loose ends delaying their union.
The genius of The New Years lies in its commitment to naturalism. Óscar and Ana are fully realised individuals with their own ambitions, insecurities, and flaws. Early encounters are charmingly stilted, highlighting their differences. The series is packed with wonderfully observed details that build a tangible, lived-in world: nail clippings on the sofa, the anxiety over choosing the right music for a intimate moment, and the tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight.
Beyond the Honeymoon Phase
As the years pass, the series uses its unique annual snapshot structure to show profound change. Friends evolve from party-goers to exhausted parents. Conversations between the central couple shift subtly, revealing how their relationship has deepened or strained over the preceding twelve months. They learn to accommodate each other—Óscar eventually adopts Ana's psychological insights about his family—and for a time, they thrive, proudly telling their parents about their seemingly effortless domestic harmony.
However, The New Years refuses to shy away from the notion that love may not conquer all. The very differences that once attracted Ana and Óscar begin to drive a wedge between them. Her adventurous spirit chafes against his innate caution, leading to a pivotal, disastrous night out at Berlin's infamous Berghain club that signals the end of their honeymoon period. The series masterfully sparks poignant recognition with its portrayal of relational highs and lows, from the initial thrill of mutual attraction to the sinking fear that shared affection might not be sufficient.
A New Benchmark for Relationship Drama
What sets this Spanish miniseries apart is its patient, earned storytelling. It understands that meaningful payoffs require time and struggle, making the glossy, conflict-free romances of other shows appear artificial by comparison. The explicit sex scenes are rendered with a refreshing authenticity, featuring awkward manoeuvring, laughter, and varying passions.
With eight of its ten episodes currently available, the ultimate fate of Ana and Óscar remains compellingly uncertain. While narrative convention suggests a reunion, The New Years has built such a robust foundation of realism that any resolution will feel hard-won and deeply meaningful. For viewers craving a love story that reflects the complex, frustrating, and exhilarating reality of human connection, this Mubi original is not just a recommendation—it is essential viewing.
