Always a Witch (2019–2020) User Reviews (79)

Beautifully film teen novela

[Horror_Flick_Fanatic · 6/10 · 5 February 2019]

Siempre Bruja is more of a teen telenovela than anything else. It's beautifully filmed in Cartagena, Colombia. I did enjoy the colorful landscapes and old Spanish fortress city. But teen dramas aren't really my thing. But I can see how many young people would liking this film a lot. I was hoping it had more of a comedic edge like Bewitch or a darker comedy instead of a Beverly Hills 90210 melodrama feel to it. It certainly makes me want to travel and visit this old city, its newer modern cityscape and experience the music, dance, colonial history and the street food vendors!

One of the reasons why I really love Netflix so much is that they bringing more international programming like this to the United States and to the rest of the world. I love their originals, but I also love this culture sharing that Netflix provides that Over-The-Air television has always failed to provide in the past. Hopefully this streaming company might do more than just entertain us, but break the American bubble of isolation and make our country a more internationally and culturally aware people.

Please watch this in Spanish!

[marcelita_66 · 7/10 · 6 February 2019]

It's not bad! I really recomend to watching in Spanish with english subtext! Don't watch it bubbad! Estoy the culture and the beautiful Cartagena!! And the story too!

Dreamy Esteban

[neshasouthport-1 · 7/10 · 14 May 2019]

Pretty good series. I was able to binge it in a whole night. Series is great for teenager/young adult audience. The main actress was good. The character came out clueless sometimes but she is playing a young teenager. The actor who plays Esteban is so dreamy. He is my new tv character crush. I actually can't wait to watch some of his other work. If another season came up, I would love it just because of him.

This could have been something..

[LukeCustomer2 · 6/10 · 5 February 2019]

Gosh this looked like it would be magical. A black witch in 1600s Columbia (mind blown) casts a spell to avoid being burned at the stake and ends up in 2019 Columbia with the promise that if she gets an emerald to a witch there, that witch will end her back in time to before her love was killed in the 1600s. So Carmen does so and ends up in 2019. All is well but for the fact that soon after arriving and finding the witch to send her back, that witch disappears and is presumed dead. How does she get back now?

There are several problems with this series that might not bug you but bugged me. (1) for some reason, everyone on the show has the dialog dubbed. This makes everyone sound ridiculous. You will have an obviously latino man speaking like a white car commercial from the 1970s. It is horrible; (2) There is way too much talking about the baddie. They must say his name a zillion times but a lot of the story doesn't seem to advance the ball toward finding him; (3) there is just a modern day problem with this show... Carmen is a slave in 1600 and is in *love* with the slave master's son. It is hard for anyone in modern day to root for them to get together in the 1600s. You kind of want Carmen to stay where she is.

I do want to give them credit for doing a good job with someone from the 1600s coming to 2019. Carmen has problems adjusting but they are not over done. She learns fast and makes friends. I would put this in the watch for later queue.

Angely rocks as a beautiful, cool bewitched time traveler!

[stevepat99 · 9/10 · 3 February 2019]

Solid production values for this first ever Columbian TV series I've watched. Initial episode was totally entertaining from the stake 'burning' to Carmen's arrival at a carnival atmosphere beach side celebration. characters and story held my interest. Look forward to further episodes with this charming, Colombian witch!

Always a Witch

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 26 January 2022]

This Colombian series opens in seventeenth century Cartagena where slave Carmen Eguiluz is about to be burnt at the stake for witchcraft. This is largely inspired by the fact that she is in a forbidden relationship with the son of wealthy Spanish family. The execution appears to take place but then she walks out of the sea... in the twenty-first century. We later learn she has made a deal with immortal wizard Aldemar... if she can save somebody for Aldemar she will be able to return to her own time and have her relationship. He warned her that there is a dangerous wizard who will try to stop her and somebody is murdering women accused of witchcraft. Once in the present she quickly makes friends and learns about freedoms she couldn't dream of before. Most of her problems seem to be sorted as the first season ends but more appear in the second season... Carman's friend Johnny Ki manages to use a time portal and returns with a seventeenth century pirate and a would-be witch is threatening Carmen's safety through her actions.

It must be said that while this series is quite fun it is also rather lightweight. Its cast are mostly good looking young people and even when major characters appear to be in dangerous situations nobody is likely to think they won't get out of it; the only question is how. The acting might not be the greatest but it is decent enough. The stories, which are season long rather than episodic, are fun. I think I preferred the second series slightly more; it is just as light weight but Kobo the pirate is a fun addition to the cast of characters. The city of Cartagena is a fine setting; modern but with a real sense of history. Overall a fun watch; it might not be a must see show but it passes the time nicely. The conclusion of the second season leaves an opening for further stories; if we get another season I'll watch it.

These comments are based on watching the series in Spanish with English subtitles so I can't comment on the quality of the English dubbing.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY!!!

[entertaementproductions · 3/10 · 9 February 2019]

As someone who loves seeing WOC, especially Black women in unique roles such as this, I get excited and I was totally on board when I saw the previews..but then I watched the show. Siempre Bruja had the chance to address slavery, colorism, women's rights, etc with the rare appearance of an Afro-Latina lead, but instead, 10 episodes are spent on a slave witch who goes to the future just to return to the past as a slave to be with her white slave owning love interest. Oh that doesn't make sense? Exactly. I wanted to love this show so bad, but to use something as serious as slavery as a petty plot device for the sake of establishing a romance is hella disrespectful. To not use the opportunity of a Black time traveling witch for her full potential, but instead use her as an errand boy (and literal servant) to service the needs of minor characters without for a second taking the time to question why 2019 is different from 1649 for her is hella disrespectful. And lastly to humanize slave owners, distastefully make light of slave auctions, and make Prince Charming a slave owner who caught an attitude because Carmen wanted to stand up for her "slave friends" as they were often referenced, is HELLA DISRESPECTFUL. The only reason it receives 3 stars instead of 1 is for the scenery, soundtrack, and the amazing attempt of these talented actors working with a bogus script. I SAID WHAT I SAID!

Binged the whole show in 2 days

[minitpatel · 9/10 · 5 February 2019]

Great show, the soundtrack is amazing, characters that you can get connected to, its just a good show overall. The plot is centered around love and loss with an exciting twist of magic and time travel. The first season only has 10 episodes at around 30 minutes each, I wish it was longer but it has a solid ending which leaves you satisfied while also leaving you wanting for more. I would recommend this show to everyone because of the mix of romance, action, mystery, a bit of drama and fantasy elements.

Too Much Authenticity Lost in Translation

[psymom · 6/10 · 28 March 2019]

While the acting isn't stellar, it's not a bad show, but the voice-overs are kind of annoying. It is set in Cartegena for crying out loud. The actors shouldn't have American accents.Carmen slid into modern speak too easily--not with technological stuff, thank God, but the way she speaks is not from her era. I feel she should have struggled more with that.

The dubbed version ruins it, just watch in Spanish with subtitles

[spoiltrotin · 5/10 · 11 February 2019]

I needed to watch something while I was down with a bad cold. I love a show with a black girl lead anyway, so I checked it out. It's a supernatural teen drama, but with an interesting connection to the past, as our heroine, Carmen, is a witch from 1649. She's a slave and in love with the son of the master. I cannot roll my eyes hard enough at this nonsense. I stuck with it and it's a fun show, it reminds me of BuffyTVS what with all the magic and friendship. I hope the second season has better writing around her slave past because right now, it's infuriating. The thing that kept me going was taking the advice to turn off the overdubbing and watch in Spanish with subtitles; OMG it's so much better. And Carmen has amazing hair,js.

We all have a past.

[amarinlanguage · 8/10 · 8 February 2019]

Carmen Eguiluz, daughter of Paula Eguiluz, is a slave in 17th Century Cartagena. She is also a witch, descended from a long line of witches. Thanks to a power hungry witch named Aldemar - she is able to escape being burned at the stake. However, the escape route is time traveling into the 21st Century. Carmen is powerful but unskilled in magic (beyond her healing abilities) intelligent and a quick study. She is also an eighteen year old who is heartbroken because she believes that her true love is dead. Spoiler. Aldemar is after Carmen's powers and uses everyone she cares for to his advantage. In the season finale Carmen is faced with a love triangle, because her 17th Century love is able to travel to the 21st Century and her potential new love is there too. Also, her dear friend who is like a younger brother is lost in time. Teen drama. Young love/first love. Time travel. Witchcraft backfiring. Enjoyable, but vapid.

Enchanting and mystical with time travel thrown in

[zendatrim · 7/10 · 26 March 2020]

Well what a surprise.

Never even heard about it before it suddenly came up on my netflix. I thought well i had nothing to watch and maybe would give it a go.

I loved it. OK yeh has faults dubbing etc but it got better into season 2. I just loved the story lines, the baddies, the love story interlocking within in, and some very handsome actors, good music, great scenery really it had everything.

dont expect too much you will enjoy it. It has its fun bit too, villains abound. Highlights the way the slaves were abused as well and women who were thought to be witches because some tried to help others with homeopathic ways and herbs, they died for it.

i hope there is a season 3 i shall be watching it.

Complete waste of time

[luisccajas · 1/10 · 6 February 2019]

I actually felt disrespected enough by the lame acting, lazy direction and laughable story to create an IMDB account and warn everyone . Do not waste your time in this. Through the episode 1 you feel the Complete lack of interest in making a quality show.

It was pretty good

[lauralee11363 · 7/10 · 5 March 2020]

I have seen several time travel films and several films about witches. This one combined the two. I enjoyed the series very much. I like the way the main character chose to help her friends and stood up for herself, while learning to live in a new century.

Completely Binge Worthy

[anitheness · 9/10 · 8 February 2019]

I enjoy fantasy, especially stories of witches. This perfectly blends two worlds, past and present, to make an entralling story you'll want to watch to the end. Took one star away because it was dubbed in English. Would have liked to hear the actors real voices and read the captions along with it.

All right

[channellius · 7/10 · 20 March 2020]

I did enjoy this series... at first it seemed really promising, but it did go downhill a bit for me. A lot of things happened that didn't really make sense to me, but hey, I definitely liked it more than the new Netflix Sabrina series.

Really messed up black history month on this one.

[cterria · 1/10 · 5 February 2019]

A black witch goes to modern times and falls in love with her slave master. The writers couldn't be more ignorant if they tried.

Refreshinginly Different

[brenemancynthia · 8/10 · 4 February 2019]

As a paranormal television series it is different and delightful. The acting isn't the best; however, the storyline is thrilling and at times comical. I'm only on episode 7 so I don't know the ending to season one. I think it will be good. Like the other reviewers, I was hooked after the first episode and I'm sure you will be too.

Binged the whole season 1 overnight

[Honest_Reviewer32 · 17 August 2019]

It's so magical and educational at the same time. I didn't know that Colombians are this good in creating a tv series.

Worth the try

[panayiotis-character · 6/10 · 11 March 2019]

Interesting story, good production and the whole series is entertaining. It could use better writing though. Some scenes look ridiculous. Overall, the result is good. It's entertaining enough and touches the issues of slavery and women's rights in a way that makes you think instead of making you feel guilty. Please prefer to watch this in Spanish. The original language is always better.

Amateur hour

[jfxfxz · 2/10 · 17 April 2022]

I am sure that Colombia has very competent movie directors that would love to work with Netflix. Unfortunately they were not part of this work. First, although the idea has potential, the script is substandard. Second, the characters are poorly designed. Third, there is no connection between the scenes. One second a video is uploaded, the next second a crime is being reported. What crime? Who found it? Who uploaded the video? Nothing makes sense.

I DIDN'T WANT TO STOP WATCHING!

[Peanut7139 · 10/10 · 17 February 2019]

Wow please bring a season 2. I love this show. It is so good I wait for there to be a season 2. I so hope! Keep this going please. I enjoyed the story-line also the acting. This is so different from other witch shows. This is not a sexualized show or a whole lot of body showing. This show focused on the story and you get good acting. You have no idea where it's going and that is good. You will be surprised! It also offered some comedy with Johnny Ki's character.

Overall this is a show to watch and I'm waiting for a second season.

Beautifully Misunderstood (soft spoilers)

[amf914 · 6/10 · 23 February 2019]

The ridiculous summation that it's simply about a slave traveling back in time to save her slave master is atrocious.

If you really didn't like it, take the time and effort to truly dissect it. I respect and enjoy the criticism of everyone as long as it's well thought out.

This is the first Spanish production that I've seen that shows more color than most of the popularized Spanish films. Is this a good sign in our society? No, I don't think so at all but a foot in the door is a foot in the door. Your well thought out critiques will help to change that narrative. We gotta start somewhere. I'm an avid fan of Guillermo Del Toro because of his wonderous fantasy story telling, but rewatch Pan's Labyrinth or El Ofanato and tell me you see a Catalan speaking black person.

Spoiler alert....you don't. If so, are they the main character? Supporting cast? Or someone in the background as filler?

So PLEASE give some recognition to the importance of 1. Albiet, it is not a large point but a small significant one to someone like me, is Carmen's power comes from her people's native tongue. A comfort to her is a lullaby her mother sings to her in their native language. It is a small empowerment that is over looked by a modern day outlook. Language is everything it is our only means of communication and connection and it isn't the Catalan Spanish of the Conquistadors that gives Carmen that power. 2. If you watch ANYTHING that was made in another language dubbed, trust me you'll miss everything you miss when you don't READ THE BOOK and watch the movie instead. Don't be lazy. 3. Being in love isn't weak. Cristobal did not trick her, Carmen is guilty of being too kind and naive but is still a very strong and positive female character. She fell in love of her own volition. Is it a realistic trope? Absolutely not but, even I could see from the trailer it wasn't going to be a deep exploration into a sense of self identity but much like a J-Drama or the telanovellas of the late 90s. It's an attempt to shine a glimmer of what we had hoped would've happened back then rather than what did. It's what fantasy is all about. 4. You have a positive gay character of color that no one seems to notice. Daniel, I love you, I see you!

YES, it's hormonally charged and completely teen orientated but if you love a romance wrapped in fantasy and cheesiness this is all you! Please watch. Embrace it. The good and the bad because we're not human without it. Don't watch assuming we're about to have a true historic story telling of what it would have been like to be a real witch in that time period. It would be nice, I'd watch that too! (....I might be a story telling junkie of all kinds.)

If that's not you then don't do it. It's not a dark trip into a black magic and slaves and everything always just seems to get worse. Watch The Magicians with a side of American Horror Story's: Coven season. If we expected more from Netflix, no offense but they've been a bit one sighted lately. When we want to address realism within fantasy, you need a more serious creative production company. Someone willing to go to a dark place and break some rules of popularized film. Oh big hint, don't hire white Colombians to write and produce it.

Bad Acting, Bad Voice-Overs

[jaholl · 1/10 · 11 February 2019]

Uh. I can't find ANY good Sci Fi or fantasy lately. This wasn't good at all. Firstly, it has to be translated into English. The people doing the voice overs did a terrible job. The production on the show was ok, but badly edited. Then, you have to listen to the bad acting on the voice overs which makes this unwatchable. I made it through 20 minutes, then went to find something else to watch.

Corny but fun

[Luna-Phaedra · 7/10 · 14 May 2019]

In terms of actual production and effects, this probably deserves a 4 or 5, but this was just too damn fun. Just the phrase "story about a time-traveling Afro-Caribbean witch" is enough fun to say that you want to know where it's going. Also, the relationship between Carmen and Cristobal gives me life. It's beautiful and managed to avoid the typical love triangle script (despite my major fears after episode 7 that it was heading in that direction). It's my first time watching a show in Spanish let alone a show set in South America, so I can't compare it to other, similar shows. For me, seeing a show in this setting for the first time was intriguing. The minor characters did annoy me on occasion, aside from Johnny, but I don't know if their personalities are weirdly acted or just a cultural thing so it's hard to judge it properly. If the show continues, I'll likely watch the second season.