Is Netflix’s 1992 based on true story? Explained

Netflix’s 1992 was released on December 13, 2024. Created by Álex de la Iglesia and Jorge Guerricaechevarría, this psychological thriller series is a revenge saga that follows a serial killer on his quest to punish the people responsible for his mother's death in 1992.

Although the series incorporates several historical events to develop its plot, it is not based on a true story. The premise is rooted in an event that actually took place in 1992, but the revenge tale that unfolds is an original idea.

Spanning six episodes, Netflix’s 1992 explores themes of childhood trauma, mental stability, avarice, and vengeance, among others. Read on to learn more about the story of the series.

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Netflix’s 1992 is not based on a true story

Netflix’s 1992 is a fictional tale based on a script penned by Pablo Tébar and Jorge Valdano. The series mostly revolves around the Curro Killer’s revenge mission. While no such serial killer has ever existed, certain historical events provide a backdrop for the plot.

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There really was an expo in 1992

The titular year saw the Seville Expo '92, an international exposition held from April 20 to October 12, 1992, in La Isla de La Cartuja, Spain. The expo was organized to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas after launching from Seville's port. In keeping with Columbus’ spirit of discovery, the theme of the expo was ‘The Age of Discovery.’

In Netflix’s 1992, the serial killer’s mother, Marga, is murdered by some of the expo's organizers. Decades later, when Victor, Marga's son, learns of this, he embarks on a killing spree.

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Curro was indeed the mascot for the expo

A competition was held to select the mascot for the expo. Curro, designed by the German designer Heinz Edelmann, was selected as the official mascot. It has the shape of a big white bird with the legs of an elephant, and its long conical beak and crest have the seven colors of the rainbow.

In Netflix’s 1992, the organizers of the show put on the Curro masks while committing their heinous crimes. Similarly, Victor wears a Curro mask while killing his victims to get revenge years later.

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There indeed was a fire

On February 18, 1992, a fire broke out at one of the pavilions that was set to host the expo. It was ruled out as an accident. However, in Netflix’s 1992, the fire is depicted as man-made and plays an important role in setting the revenge narrative into motion.

Thus, while the series is not based on a true story, some historical events do inform its plot.

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What is Netflix’s 1992 about?

The synopsis of the series on Netflix reads:

“After her husband dies in an explosion, a grieving widow and a haunted ex-cop investigate a series of murders with sinister ties to the Seville Expo '92.”

The series begins with the Seville Expo held in 1992. To celebrate their grand achievement, the organizers decide to indulge in activities of carnal pleasure involving some s*x workers.

One of these women, Marga, is accidentally killed by one of the organizers. Although her body is disposed of, a clip showing the involvement of the guilty men is kept by Victoria.

Victor, Marga’s son, grows up to be mentally unstable after witnessing his mother's death. Victoria exploits Victor’s unstable mental state to turn him into a hound thirsty for revenge.

However, Victoria does not act out of noble intentions, he plans to use the fear generated by the Curro Killer to blackmail one of the living organizers. His plan backfires when Victor, aka the Curro Killer, discovers Victoria's true colors and kills him as well.

Netflix’s 1992 reaches closure when Amparo, the wife of a man killed by Victor, tracks him down and kills him, putting an end to the chain of violence.

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All six episodes of Netflix’s 1992 are currently streaming on the platform.