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Unknown Origins – although surely, given the movie’s Spanish title and its subject matter, Secret Origins is a better translation? – is a Netflix original from Spain, which is proving to be quite the fertile ground for the company.

Adapted by David Galán Galindo from his own novel, the movie opens with a gruesome murder scene which puzzles Madrid homicide detectives Valentín and Cosme until Cosme’s comic book-loving son Jorge realises that it is an attempt to recreate the secret origin of the Incredible Hulk. Further crimes matching the pattern emerge and the race is on to discover just who is responsible for the killings, and what their ultimate game may be.

Javier Rey is just there as Valentín, and the film’s real stars are Brays Efe as Jorge and Verónica Echegui as cosplaying head of homicide Norma, adding some gravitas to roles which – especially in the case of Jorge – appear to have been written as mere ciphers. Galindo’s story stretches credibility to its limits, and while it doesn’t require a deeper knowledge of comic book history it is certainly enhanced by one. The ultimate reveal is fine and would have had more impact if Valentín were a more likeable character.

Unknown Origins does something unusual with the superhero genre, and is paced well enough to keep your attention throughout. If Galindo had fleshed out his characters a little more, this might be another Netflix hidden gem; as it is, it’s merely not a waste of your time.