Netflix is one of the main platforms for true crime shows, and the streaming giant has recently released The Predator of Seville, and it’s been shooting up its charts, currently in fourth place in the United Kingdom, despite being out for less than a week.
The show follows the story of Gabrielle Vega, a university student who was abroad in Spain when she was sexually assaulted by tour guide Manuel Blanco Vela.
Although Gabrielle initially kept the attack to herself, when she shared the story on social media, many others came forward with their own experiences that mirrored her own. The episodes follow Gabrielle’s trip abroad, her social media post that prompted such a viral response, before culminating in Manuel’s trial.
A synopsis for the three-part series reads: “One woman’s quest for justice against a tour guide in Spain sparks a surge of similar claims from many U.S. students over the years.”
What is the real story?
For years, Manuel ran a travel company, Discover Excursions, which operated in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and it was aimed at international students. One of those students was Gabrielle Vega, who was in Spain back in 2013, when she was aged 19.
She and a small group went on a tour to Morocco with Manuel, and on one of the nights, he persuaded the group to stay behind, claiming it was dangerous outside at night.
The group stayed behind for drinks, and even though Gabrielle only drank one beer and two glasses of champagne, she felt immediately woozy. “It was unreal what I was feeling,” she explained. “I wasn’t even coherent. I couldn’t stand up.”
She made her way to a bathroom before Manuel sexually assaulted her. Gabrielle later recalled memories of seeing him in his underwear, attacking her.
© NetflixAnother case highlighted in the show was of students Hayley McAleese and Carly Van Ostenbridge back in 2017. During a trip to Lagos, Portugal, Manuel convinced them that it was unsafe to be outside during the evenings and invited them into his room where he wanted them to perform a “sexy dance”. The girls refused, and although he tried to block their escape, they were able to leave and raise an alarm.
Manuel left the country the following day, citing a family emergency, and the pair were told that due to the assault happening in a different country, judicial proceedings were unlikely to advance.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesFollowing social media statements, it’s estimated that Manuel assaulted or attempted to assault between 50 and 100 women, with many not proceeding with their cases against him due to the complications of overseas laws. The cases only started progressing when victims were able to link up and share their stories, with journalistic investigations also helping to link some of the victims.
In 2025, Manuel was found guilty of assaulting Gabrielle, Hayley and Carly, and was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison; he is appealing the decision. The tour guide operator was also held civilly liable for the death of 21-year-old American student Lauren Bajorek, who fell from a balcony in his apartment on her 21st birthday.
Reaction
Netflix viewers have been gripped by the documentary, with many heaping praise on Gabrielle for her bravery in coming forward. One said: “I am so proud of Gabrielle and all the women who came forward. This must’ve been hard to do, but it’s part of her healing process. The world is getting smaller because of the internet; I hope more survivors find each other and speak the truth out loud to get these scumbags.”
A second called it “sad to watch” as they added: “The Predator of Seville offers a striking and unsettling depiction of how women are treated when they become victims, dismissed, doubted, and forced to carry burdens that are not theirs. The story feels uncomfortably relevant, highlighting how power, reputation, and silence often protect perpetrators instead of those harmed. It’s a difficult but important portrayal that lingers long after finishing.”
A third noted: “The Predator of Seville is giving me chills,” while a fourth commented: “It’s a tale parents should have their young adult kids watch particularly before they travel to a foreign country alone. There are useful tips for one to avoid and to encourage mindfulness when out in the world. Gabrielle is to be commended for her perseverance and tenacity. She deserved the victory and I hope she’s now able to go on and enjoy her life more fully.”
Writing in The Brown Daily Herald, which is published in Rhode Island, Amelia Barter wrote: “After three episodes of following Vega’s struggles, the audience experiences this vindication with her due to the docuseries’ tact for unpicking the layers of work that she offered to the case. The raw image of her on a Zoom call, bursting into tears at the news is sure to stay at the forefront of many minds.”
