Trese is not a gentle watch. It is a crime drama about spirits, and it treats the supernatural as a force that can kill you in the middle of a Manila street. The Netflix series, based on the Filipino comic series by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, follows Alexandra Trese as she investigates crimes committed by supernatural beings. It is a show about corruption, family duty, and the weight of being the only person who sees what everyone else ignores.
The series is an international co-production between Singapore and the United States, and it premiered on Netflix on June 10, 2021, followed by a global release the next day. It runs six episodes.
Trailer, via Netflix Philippines.
Alexandra Trese and the City She Guards
Shay Mitchell voices Alexandra Trese, a private investigator who also happens to be a descendant of the city’s most famous spirit hunter. Her father, Anton Trese, voiced by Carlos Alazraqui, is a retired detective whose own battles with the supernatural have left him wary of the dangers that Alexandra now faces. The relationship between mother and son is the emotional core of the series, and it grounds the supernatural action in something human.
The supporting cast fills out the city’s underworld. Eric Bauza voices Nuno the Snitch, a small-time criminal with information that always comes at a price. Steve Blum voices Datu Talagbusao, a powerful figure in the spirit world who has his own reasons for wanting Alexandra dead. Jon Jon Briones voices Hank, a cop who is skeptical of Alexandra’s methods but willing to listen when the evidence piles up. Matthew Yang King voices Captain Guerrero, a police captain who represents the official side of the law, while Griffin Puatu voices Basilio and Crispin, two brothers who get caught up in the series’ central conflict.
The show is animated, and it draws heavily on anime visual styles, particularly those of Japanese horror films and manga. The city itself is rendered with a gritty realism, with neon signs and rain-soaked streets that feel lived-in. The spirits themselves are rendered with a mix of horror and humor, often appearing as shadowy figures or creatures that move through the background of a scene without ever fully taking shape.
What Alexandra Investigates
Each episode centers on a case, and the cases are designed to introduce different spirits and different ways of thinking about the supernatural. The first few episodes establish the rules of the world: spirits exist, they can be negotiated with, and they sometimes need to be stopped entirely. Alexandra’s methods involve negotiation, research, and occasional violence, and the show does not shy away from showing the cost of her work.
The series also takes time to explore the history of the city and the Trese family. There is a sense that Alexandra is carrying a legacy she did not ask for, and that the ghosts of her ancestors are always present in her decisions. This is not a show about a lone hero fighting monsters in isolation; it is a show about a woman who is constantly managing the expectations of others while trying to do the right thing.
The pacing is deliberate, and the show does not rush its setup. Each episode builds on the last, adding new pieces to the puzzle until the final episode brings everything together.
The Cast Carries the Weight
Shay Mitchell’s performance as Alexandra Trese is confident and controlled. She plays the character as a professional, someone who knows exactly what she is doing even when the situation is unclear. Her voice work is strong, and she carries the emotional weight of the show’s quieter moments. Carlos Alazraqui’s Anton Trese is a man who has seen too much, and his voice gives the character a weary sadness that anchors the family dynamic.
Eric Bauza’s Nuno the Snitch is a delight. He is a comic relief character who is also genuinely dangerous, and Bauza finds the right balance between the two. Steve Blum’s Datu Talagbusao is a villain who feels like he belongs in a larger story, and his presence looms over the series from the first episode. Jon Jon Briones’s Hank is a solid anchor, playing the role of the straight man to Alexandra’s investigator. Matthew Yang King’s Captain Guerrero is a competent antagonist, and Griffin Puatu’s Basilio and Crispin add depth to the series’ later episodes.
The animation is clean and detailed, with a particular attention to the city’s architecture and the way light falls in the streets.
The Cases That Hold the Story Together
The cases Alexandra investigates are varied, and each one introduces a different kind of spirit. Some are greedy, some are vengeful, and some are simply confused. The show does not treat the spirits as simple threats; it spends time explaining why they act the way they do, and this makes the confrontations feel earned rather than arbitrary.
The show also uses its cases to explore broader themes. Corruption is a recurring issue, both in the human world and in the spirit world, and the show does not let its villains off easily. There is a sense that the problems Alexandra faces are systemic, not personal, and that solving one case only reveals another layer of the problem.
The show’s episodic structure means that each case is self-contained, but the overall story builds towards a larger confrontation. The final episode brings everything together.
A City Built on Spirits
Manila is a character in its own right. The show depicts it as a place where the supernatural is not a distant threat but a constant presence, one that can be managed but never eliminated. The city’s history is tied to the spirits that inhabit it, and the show draws on this history to create a sense of place that feels lived-in.
The show also touches on the idea of cultural identity. The spirits are part of the local folklore, and the show respects that tradition while also subverting it. This is a show that knows its roots and is not afraid to dig into them.
The show’s approach to the supernatural is consistent. Spirits exist, they can be fought, and they can be negotiated with, but none of these options are easy. The show is willing to let its characters fail, and it is willing to let its villains win temporarily.
The Verdict on Trese
Trese is a strong entry in the genre of supernatural crime dramas. It is well-paced, well-animated, and well-acted. The voice cast is excellent, and the writing holds together across six episodes. It is not perfect, and it does not try to be. It is a show about a woman who is good at her job, and it respects that.
The show’s biggest strength is its focus on Alexandra Trese as a character. She is not a hero in the traditional sense; she is a professional who has made difficult choices and lives with them. The show is willing to show her doubts and her mistakes, and this makes her victories feel earned.
The show’s biggest weakness is its episodic structure. Because each case is self-contained, the series can feel like a series of smaller stories rather than one continuous narrative. This is not necessarily a flaw, but it does mean that the show is best enjoyed as a series of individual experiences rather than as a single, uninterrupted story.
The Numbers Behind the Show
| Episode | Premiere Date |
|---|---|
| 1 | June 10, 2021 |
| 2 | June 10, 2021 |
| 3 | June 10, 2021 |
| 4 | June 10, 2021 |
| 5 | June 10, 2021 |
| 6 | June 11, 2021 |
The series premiered on June 10, 2021, followed by a global release the next day. It ran for one season of six episodes.
Final Score
Trese earns its place in the canon of supernatural crime dramas. It is a show that respects its audience and its characters. It is not a perfect show, but it is a confident one.
The show’s score is 7.3 out of 10.
- The animation is striking, with a style that draws on anime horror and a sense of place that makes Manila feel lived-in.
- The voice cast is excellent, with Shay Mitchell and Carlos Alazraqui giving standout performances.
- The cases are well-written, each introducing a new spirit and a new rule of the world.
- The pacing is deliberate, building towards a satisfying conclusion.
- The show’s episodic structure means it works better as a series of smaller stories than as a single continuous narrative.
Trese is a show that rewards attention. It is a show that respects its source material, its characters, and its audience. It is not a perfect show, but it is a confident one, and it leaves the door open for more.
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