SERIES REVIEW – We watched the entire Rise of the Raven (original Hungarian title: Hunyadi) on Netflix — a Hungarian historical epic that cost 16 billion forints in public funding. After a very shaky start with the first two episodes, the series steadily improved, culminating in the grand finale centered on the Battle of Belgrade. But does this visual feast stand a chance against Netflix’s big-budget historical dramas?

Hunyadi is officially the most expensive Hungarian series ever made — not just in production value, but also in the amount of taxpayer money spent. Out of the 25.6 billion forint total budget, 16 billion came directly from the public. That alone raises the stakes — and expectations. So when the first two episodes landed with clunky dialogue, flat performances, and awkwardly modern phrasing, the initial backlash wasn’t exactly a surprise. The critical debate had already kicked off in full force.

And yet, by the time we’d made it to the final episodes — screened in crisp 4K on a projector, no less — it became clear that the show had more to offer than its rocky beginnings suggested. It’s far from perfect, but the growth is undeniable.

Inconsistent Direction, Better Performances

With multiple directors behind the scenes, the show’s quality fluctuates noticeably across episodes — but that variance also opens the door for some truly well-crafted chapters. From tightly edited battles to emotionally charged moments, several episodes shine with both technical and dramatic polish. Lead actor Gellért Kádár may not be Hungary’s Daniel Day-Lewis, but he gradually sheds the overacted, theatrical stiffness that plagued his early scenes. In action-heavy segments — especially his rallying speech before the Battle of Varna — his physicality and larger-than-life delivery finally click into place, aiming for Braveheart vibes even if he doesn’t quite land all the punches.

Among the supporting cast, Franciska Törőcsik stands out as Maria Brankovic, while Turkish-German actor Murathan Muslu is memorable as the Ottoman sultan — though fun fact, he doesn’t actually speak Turkish. Still, that didn’t stop him from delivering one of the more believable performances in the ensemble. That said, Hungarian stage-trained habits — exaggerated intonation, overly formal phrasing — still bleed through, particularly in the performances of Vivien Rujder (as Elizabeth Szilágyi) and László Gálfi (as King Sigismund).

Sharper Writing, More Impact

The writing and dialogue improved considerably in the second half of the season. Overwrought romance scenes gave way to weightier, more political material, including the appearance of Vlad Tepes (played by Gábor Nagypál), the infamous inspiration behind Dracula, portrayed as a ruthless tactician with uneasy ties to the Ottomans. The two centerpiece battle scenes — Varna and the climactic Belgrade siege — are the show’s true highlights. Especially the finale, which, with its sweeping choreography, brutal melee combat, and large-scale crowd scenes, flirts with international quality. There’s still room to grow, but it’s a major step forward for Hungarian TV production values.

The main structural flaw? Abrupt time jumps that compress events far too tightly. The series often feels like a historical digest rather than a fully fleshed-out narrative. Realistically, this story needed at least two seasons to breathe and develop its themes properly.

Where Does It Stand in Netflix’s Historical Lineup?

Compared to genre staples like The Last Kingdom, Vikings, Vikings: Valhalla, or Barbarians, Hunyadi isn’t quite in the same league. Its characters lack depth, the dialogue can be stilted, and the pacing falters in key moments. But in an era where Netflix has somewhat dialed down its historical drama investments, Hunyadi may have arrived at the perfect moment. It carves out a space for itself — not with groundbreaking originality, but through competent execution and a subject matter that’s long overdue for international attention.

– Gergely Herpai “BadSector” –