Money Heist Part 4 Review: Panic at the Banco

Warning: This review contains spoilers for the entirety of Money Heist (La Casa De Papel) Part 4.

All plans are out the window on Money Heist (La Casa De Papel) Part 4. The team adjusts to dire circumstances as it faces its most serious circumstances to date.

Part 4 stands out because the team spends most of it on the brink of failure — a stark difference from its three predecessors. Personal relationships in both the tent and the bank are in flux. This combined with the brewing turmoil amongst the hostages makes for a gripping and emotional eight episodes.

The same way friction produces heat, the chaos promised in the Part 4 trailer gives way to an abundance of fresh material. The storylines generated have high potential to carry more parts in the future. With the stakes now at their absolute highest, it’s entirely fair to hope that the Dalis never leave the bank.

Part 4 multiplies everything you know and love about Money Heist tenfold. The show’s use of one character to put the team in the most danger they’ve seen yet is impressive. Gandia’s actions test everyone in a way that will have a lasting impact going forward.

Gandia doesn’t reach this status without help, though. Palermo has Nairobi’s blood on his hands, too. Coaxing Gandia to slip his handcuffs is a lesson that we are often our own worst enemy. Sierra, Tamayo, and Prieto are low on the totem pole in terms of threats. The call comes from inside the house on Part 4.

Palermo’s actions make him the weakest link on the team. His tunnel vision is lethal; he is so threatened by Tokyo taking charge that he plants the seed in Gandia’s head without considering the ramifications. The heist is irrelevant in this moment — he just wants to be the leader again.

We do see Palermo’s emotional side via flashbacks, but the shared responsibility for Nairobi’s death is too much. He may be past the point of redemption.

All of this redemption talk makes it the perfect time to discuss Arturo.

In any other edition of Money Heist, I’d take one sentence to compare Arturo to an ankle-biting chihuahua and move on. In the time it takes to make a cup of coffee, though, he goes from mere annoyance to rapist. It’s shocking, hypocritical, reprehensible — it’s as many horrifying adjectives as you can think of, really.

But is it necessary? The only fathomable reason for it is to make the hostages see that Arturo is a false prophet. He presents himself as a hero when he is really the worst human being in the bank.

The way Monica immediately picks up on Amanda’s discomfort begs a slew of questions about her and Arturo’s relationship before the first heist. Money Heist does an exceptional job of crafting intricate, layered stories, but it needs to be extra careful depending on how Arturo’s story plays out.

If Monica and Arturo’s relationship was toxic — which it most likely was — it debatably establishes a pattern for the former. Denver is downright nasty during Part 4. His loss of compassion makes him angry and highlights the extreme circumstances under which he and Monica fell in love.

The possessive boyfriend is a bad look on everyone but is especially bad on Denver. He repairs his friendship with Rio after ripping Monica for hers. The idea that he can have friends but she cannot is a huge problem.

If I’m being honest, Part 4 makes it easy to stop rooting for them. None of this is in any way to call Monica weak, though; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Monica grows more daring and confident following their breakup.

Part 4 is not all disappointment and sadness. The Professor’s newfound resolve and subsequent takedown of the CNI is fun, watching Prieto and Tamayo panic is highly enjoyable, but not nearly as much as Sierra’s press conference where she unapologetically admits to everything.

Though, for now, Sierra has the last laugh. The way things end with Lisbon’s arrival and the gun to the Professor’s head makes a Part 5 renewal almost inevitable. We’re all in this together, now. Por Nairobi.

What did you think of Money Heist Part 4? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

Money Heist Part 4 is now available on Netflix.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

30 Binge-Worthy Dramas on Netflix