The new film on Netflix about the largest anti-terrorist operation in Spain

It is “A ghost in the battle” which had its world premiere in ehe San Sebastian Festival. The film was shot in numerous locations in the Basque Country and on the border with France.

The film is inspired by the largest covert operation against ETA, which marked a before and after in the fight against terrorism in Spain. Grounded in the historical, political and social context of the 90s and 2000s, The film tells the story of Amaia (Susana Abaitua), a young civil guard who has spent more than a decade working as an undercover agent within the terrorist gang, with the aim of locating the caches they had hidden in the south of France.

The film combines suspense, action and political drama, showing from within the personal and ethical cost that a mission of this infrastructure entails.

The real story behind “A Ghost in Battle”

In 2004, Operation Sanctuary was carried out, led by the French National Police.. The joint action between French and Spanish forces culminated in the arrest of 24 people linked to terrorist acts.

Operation Sanctuary

The film is inspired by these real experiences and the work of the State Security Corps and Forces, which for decades fought against the armed organization in Basque and French territory.

Critical Praise

The newspaper El País highlighted the artistic solidity of the film and highlighted the work of its director, Agustín Díaz Yanes. According to the Spanish media, A ghost in the battle “has a complex script, powerful direction and evidence that there is an author making real films. With very effective sobriety, in which nothing is missing or superfluous, without winks for the beloved audience.”

For its part, ABC was even more categorical in its assessment. The newspaper described the production as “a magnificent lesson in cinema, of narrative rhythm, of intrigue always in progression and of ethical clarity of how, where and why that battle was won”, highlighting its balance between tension, depth and moral coherence.