The Predator of Seville
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2026
Where’s it showing? Netflix
Full disclosure: I’m flying to Spain the day after this is published, and I won’t be taking any tours. This series was likely not the best watch before a semisolo journey, but we true-crime junkies can’t get enough of this stuff.
This three-part Netflix miniseries introduces us to Gabrielle Vega, a student studying abroad who books a dream trip to Morocco. Along on that tour is guide and absolute creep Manuel Blanco Vela—aka the Predator of Seville.
Under the guise of being tied to universities, and preying especially on international students, Vela assaulted dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of women. Drugging them, trapping them, assaulting them, and threatening them, he hid behind the confusion of international law for years. But Vega wasn’t about to let her assailant go.
Through online networking and the beauty of women’s connections, a network of survivors formed. While Vela was only tried and sentenced for the assaults of three women, the network of survivors was huge. Shout-out to all the young women out there not afraid to use their voice—this is your world now. Grab it by the balls. (three 44-to-50-min. episodes)
—Anna Starkey
This article appears in October 1 – October 8, 2026.
