It's almost here on Netflix and it promises to be a hit: the new film about ETA that you absolutely have to see.

On October 17th, one of the most anticipated Spanish productions of the year will arrive on Netflix: a political thriller directed by Agustín Díaz Yanes that promises to generate conversation both within and outside our borders. Before that, on October 3rd, it will be released in theaters and at the San Sebastián Film Festival, a showcase that reinforces its ambition as a major player in Spanish cinema.

The story delves into complex terrain: the Civil Guard's infiltration of the terrorist group ETA during the 1990s and 2000s. The protagonist is Amaia, played by Susana Abaitua, a young agent who spends more than a decade living under a false identity with a single purpose: to locate caches in the south of France that conceal weapons and explosives. This is the narrative core of A Ghost in the Battle, the film that marks Díaz Yanes's return after several years away from the camera.

To bring this story to life, the filmmaker has assembled a solid cast that reinforces the power of the script. Joining Abaitua are Andrés Gertrúdix, Iraia Elias, Raúl Arévalo, and Ariadna Gil, who bring dramatic weight and experience to a film that blends political tension and human emotion. The combination of veteran faces with emerging actors ensures chemistry and credibility in a story where every gesture and every word matter.

The filming took place in key locations in the Spanish and French Basque Country, lending an air of truth to each sequence. The natural and urban settings are not merely a backdrop, but an essential part of the narrative: streets, villages, and roads that bore witness to a time marked by violence and fear.

If there's one thing that raises the bar, it's the team behind its production. Belén Atienza, Sandra Hermida, and JA Bayona, creators of The Snow Society, are joining forces once again on a project that seeks the same combination of artistic quality and international acclaim. It's worth remembering that that film was nominated for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film and swept the 2024 Goya Awards.

Bayona has also repeatedly emphasized the value of Díaz Yanes's script, which he considers a direct witness to Spain's recent history. It's not just an undercover thriller, but a profound look at the human cost of the fight against ETA.

The director of Alatriste hadn't stepped behind the camera for some time, but now he does so with a story that came to him thanks to Atienza. He explained that he was asked for a script that was more than just a police portrait: a narrative that also reflected the "unlived lives" of those caught up in that conflict.

The film arrives shortly after the success of The Infiltrator, which shared the Goya Award for Best Film in 2025. Comparisons are inevitable, although A Ghost in the Battle has its own stamp and a high-profile international premiere. The San Sebastián festival will be its introduction to audiences and critics, confirming the confidence in its potential.