money heist

• social context on MH:

  • characters were designed as multi-dimensional and complementary antagonists and antiheroes whose moralities are ever-changing
  • the show's rebellious spirit is tied to youth culture, which often involves challenging the status quo and authority figures. Younger characters - Tokyo, Rio embody this rebellious energy who are presented as slightly impulsive & naive
• cultural context:

  • robber's use of Salvador Dali masks connects Spanish cultural history and serves a critique of established power structures. Salvador Dali was known for provocative personality in art, often rebelling against traditional norms
  • as the series progresses it marks the financial system as the true evil and suggests the robbers have ethical and empathetic justification for stealing from an overpowered thief
  • Spanish realist films focus on depicting everyday life and social issues - influencing the gritty/authentic portrayal of the characters' lives - capture economic hardships
• political context:

  • MH embodies a strong anti-establishment sentiment, showing disillusionment with political and economic leaders. The character's objections reflect the belief that capitalism has failed to meet the needs of ordinary people.
  • Spain has a history of political corruption scandals, such as the Gurgle case and Noos case, involving high-profile political figures and large sums of public money - in both cases, politicians secured overpriced public contracts for events and diverted millions to private accounts.
• Historical context:

  • global financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the eventual banking crash in 2008 had a huge impact on Spain. Led to the collapse of the housing market, rising unemployment, and bank bailouts, causing many to lose trust in financial institutions.
  • the heist on the royal mint of Spain is a symbolic act against the banking system. The professor's plan to print billions of euros instead of stealing existing money criticises how wealth is controlled and manipulated by financial systems.
• key context:

  • produced by Vancouver media in collaboration with the Spanish TV network, Antena 3.
  • in late 2017, Netflix acquired global streaming rights, turning it into a multi-season international hit also known as a 'Netflix original'
  • the show used largely lesser-known Spanish actors such as Ursula Corbero (Tokyo) and Alvaro Morte (Professor)
  • the series was made even more popular during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
• what was the budget for MH?


  • 500,000 euros per episode
• context on MH:


  • the show had the best premiere of a Spanish series since April 2015 with more than four million viewers
  • the series became the most watched non-english language series on Netflix, this prompted Netflix to sign a global exclusive overall deal with Pina shortly afterwards.
  • the show encouraged binge-watching due to its popularity
• heist genre


  • series was noted for its subversion of the heist genre - typically told with a rational male anglo-centric focus, the series reframes the hesitation story by giving it a strong Spanish identity and telling it from a female perspective
  • women in heist dramas often occupy secondary roles, such as the love interest, the femme fatale or the supportive accomplice. Though in more modern heist films, women have been characteristic of the 'masterminds' and are given more significant screen time.
• gender in MH:


  • Tokyo exhibits fearlessness and impulsiveness, traits which are traditionally reserved for male characters in the genre. In terms on intertextuality, she can be seen as a reference to Debbie Ocean from Oceans 8, which also challenges traditional gender norms.
  • Berlin often exhibits misogynistic behaviour, such as the interaction with female hostages and his dismissive attitude towards women. the treatment reflects a belief in male superiority - evident through the overpowering extortion of power when he takes a hostage.
• Royal Mint of Spain representation:


  • MH goes beyond a simple crime drama, embedding a strong political undertone and a social critique of the elites and those in power.
  • Royal Mint of Spain - it symbolises economic power and influence, represents financial systems that create inequality
  • the professors plan to print new money criticises how wealth is controlled by financial elites. the characters are like a modern Robin Hoods or anti-heroes, fighting an unfair system. reflects anti-establishment themes
• why does antena 3 construct these representations?


  • aims to challenge traditional gender roles and appeal to a modern audience, that values gender equality. Tokyo's character with intertextual references to Debbie Ocean from Ocean's 8, creates a role model for younger audiences who might pick and mix elements from her identity.
  • Money Heist's themes of economic injustice and rebellion resonate worldwide, attracting a diverse international audience, a reason perhaps why Netflix acquired rights to the series in 2017.
• why does antena 3 construct these representations?

  • maintaining the heist genre's traditional elements, such as hyper masculine traits in characters like Berlin (leader) and The Professor (mastermind) ensures that the show appeals to fans of the classic heist narrative and minimises risk of failure (the show relies on a successful genre formula through repetition) Hesmondhalgh
  • in a competitive market, offering unique television drama helps Antena 3 stand out amongst channels. It's a fresh take on the heist genre - appeals to audiences looking for something new and innovative.
• Binary Oppositions - Berlin & Professor 


  • Berlin as the hyper masculine gang leader versus the unusually mild-mannered and polite criminal 'mastermind'.
  • Professor - meticulous planner behind the heist, showcasing intelligence, collected demeanour, driven by a sense of justice and a desire to challenge societal inequalities - 'voice of reason'
  • Berlin exudes charisma, commands authority, demanding obedience and respect from others e.g. Arturo, willing to make harsh, pragmatic decisions to ensure the success of the heist, including violence