Good Morning, Verônica stands out as a remarkable yet often overlooked series, particularly for enthusiasts of crime dramas. This original Netflix offering, which first debuted its inaugural season in October 2020, later released its second season in August 2022. Fans will be delighted to know that the third and final season is set to premiere in February 2024. Rooted in Brazilian culture, Good Morning, Verônica enriches Netflix’s expanding collection of non-English-language content and is based on a compelling novel by Brazilian crime author Raphael Montes.
The show features Tainá Müller in the lead role of Verônica “Vero”Torres, a dedicated police clerk and mother of two. Her mundane life is dramatically disrupted after she witnesses a horrific suicide and receives a frantic call from a desperate woman seeking assistance. Despite often being overshadowed by other popular Netflix series, Good Morning, Verônica deserves recognition for showcasing Netflix’s capacity for high-quality storytelling.
Verônica: A Protagonist Like No Other
A Simple Clerk Stepping Into Action
While female-led action series are not entirely rare, they still lag behind their male-led counterparts in terms of volume and variety. Most crime and action dramas featuring women typically require the protagonist to have a background in law enforcement to validate their capabilities. In contrast, Verônica is depicted as a desk clerk, eschewing the conventional trope of powerful detectives or high-ranking professionals.
This unconventional choice raises the stakes, as Verônica’s involvement in criminal investigations defies typical expectations and raises questions about her safety and motivations. Good Morning, Verônica empowers her character to navigate through societal obstacles, enabling her to make a profound impact without traditional authority or training. Throughout its run, the show delves into critical themes such as domestic abuse and the societal roles of women.
By casting Verônica as an outsider—both by gender and profession—the series forms a nuanced character who demonstrates ingenuity and logical thinking, albeit without conventional training or experience. Her vulnerabilities and setbacks make her triumphs all the more rewarding.
Harsh Judgments for Verônica Compared to Male Antiheroes
Antiheroes with Greater Transgressions
Some viewers often express frustration with Verônica’s antihero tendencies, perceiving her methods as overly ruthless compared to her noble intentions. Her “ends justify the means”rationale can make her appear as dangerous as the culprits she pursues. Nevertheless, iconic characters like Don Draper (Mad Men), Dr. Gregory House (House), and Jimmy McNulty (The Wire) similarly navigate their own moral gray areas with far fewer criticisms.
The disparity in audience reactions may originate from either differing expectations for female characters or from the superior writing often afforded to male characters, influenced by the male-dominated creative landscape of the industry. This discrepancy unfairly sidelines shows like Good Morning, Verônica, diminishing their visibility in popular culture.
As with other classic antiheroes, viewers must transcend superficial judgments of Verônica’s flawed decisions to reveal deeper motivations and societal reflections at play. Though not morally perfect, Verônica embodies the complexity of characters faced with challenging circumstances, raising important discussions about the choices individuals make when feeling cornered.
Verônica’s Moral Boundaries Are Tested
Treating Loved Ones as Expendable
At times, Verônica crosses ethical lines, and such actions can alienate viewers who struggle to sympathize with her character. The show, unflinchingly tackling mob activity, cult behavior, and conspiracies, delves into unsettling themes including murder and sexual violence that make Verônica’s choices difficult to watch as she grapples with the allure of moral compromise.
As the narrative unfolds, the convergence of real-world issues with Verônica’s journey can feel distressing and even exploitative, generating fatigue in the audience for supporting a protagonist who continually navigates precarious ethical terrain.
More often than not, the ambiguous morality inherent in antihero narratives suits the genre, but sometimes it veers into uncomfortable territory. Verônica’s pattern of enlisting her loved ones can lead to devastating consequences, resulting in their suffering or even death. While it is integral to her character arc, these moments also test the limits of viewer empathy.
Tainá Müller on Her Role in Good Morning, Verônica
A Reflection of Brazilian Women’s Struggles
Tainá Müller, who plays Verônica, instantly connected with the storyline upon reading the script. In her own words (via MullerSquad):
“The question of women has always touched me, it is a [thing that I] harping on the same string. When I joined this job, I was aligned with this purpose. There are some that are pure entertainment and have their value. But this one got me in the vein. The theme speaks of Brazil, a brutal country to be a woman when we look at the numbers. These are questions that move me a lot, I came from a female environment, it is one of my life’s purposes to interpret women who help other women. She is not a tireless heroine, she makes mistakes, but her intention moves me.”
Müller touches on an essential aspect of Verônica’s character: she is far from a flawless heroine. As a simple desk clerk, her inexperience translates into her learning curve throughout the series, where she often faces setbacks. What resonates with audiences is her determination and commitment to righteousness despite frequent failures. Having experienced the systemic challenges faced by women in Brazil, Müller channels her experiences into portraying Verônica’s resolve in addressing these societal issues.