‘Turn of the Tide: The Surreal Story of Rabo de Peixe’ (2025) Netflix Review

Right from the start of the documentary, a sense of urgency is created. We see a couple of people coming up to give their interviews, and from that snippet, we understand what exactly has happened. The documentary Turn of the Tide: The Surreal Story of Rabo de Peixe brings us the story of a small village named Rabo de Peixe. This hamlet came into light for all the wrong and weird reasons when it became the epicenter for cocaine drama back in June 2001. It was supposed to be a full-blown smuggling case for cocaine; however, soon the news blew up. The person behind all this was Antonino Quinci, who had to transport large quantities of uncut cocaine from Venezuela to Spain. Instead of getting back to the port with materials worth millions, Antonino Quinci decides to hide the drugs in a coastal cave and later dumps the entire lot into the sea. Soon, the cocaine begins to wash up on the shore, with people also gaining information about the same. The law authorities then managed to seize approximately half a metric ton of cocaine.  And let me remind you that the population of the island was very small. It might sound hilarious to some, but many women residing in the village mistook the powder for flour and marinated their fish in it, not realizing what they were up to. A couple of people even lost their lives due to the mistake that had happened.

With the help of people who were witnesses to this menace, the documentary seeks a way into reality. We are made to understand what occurred 24 years ago and how a small village, even today, remembers the event. As you progress further and uncover the truth, even you won't believe what has happened. A village so beautiful with a picturesque coastline was now the center of a drug menace, which was openly being used without knowledge. Also, the people appear to be very naïve, and such a catastrophic incident reflects badly on how some people want to escape responsibility.

When it comes to the interview, those who agreed to appear talk straightforwardly. They are not shy or even once make you feel that they are reading out of some script. They talk to the point and tell us their experience. That’s the kind of honesty that was needed for a documentary, and we get that from the makers. Everyone here is speaking from their hearts, and that’s the whole point. The news was so sensational, but with the passage of time, the world forgot. Gladly, Netflix came up and refreshed our memories and also gave knowledge to those who were unaware of the incident.

The pacing is good. I like it when documentaries have a great pacing. It's crucial to keep the momentum while also giving a glimpse into the past. So, for all the right reasons, the makers have done a great job in bringing the truth. What also stands out is the fact that they have managed to create urgency in the story. If it hadn’t been presented to us in the way it has been, we wouldn't have understood the impact of the same. Hence, the sensational vibes are important, and thankfully, we are given plenty of them. 
So for those of you who love thrillers, this drug menace plot is a great and quick watch!

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times