This article contains spoilers for That Night.

The Spanish psychological thriller That Night, now streaming on Netflix, begins with what appears to be a perfect family getaway that quickly spirals into a life-altering tragedy. The limited series follows three sisters — Elena, Paula, and Cris — who reunite for a vacation in the Dominican Republic. But their idyllic trip takes a dark turn when Elena, the youngest sister and a naive single mother, accidentally kills a man with her car. When she calls her sisters for help, the decisions the trio make that night will have consequences that follow them for decades.

Created by Jason George, the series explores how far people are willing to go to protect their family — and what happens when loyalty begins to blur the line between right and wrong. Told through multiple perspectives and shifting timelines, the story gradually reveals that the truth about that night is far more complicated than it initially seems.Starring Paula Usero, Claudia Salas, and Clara Galle as the Arbizu sisters, That Night is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by British author Gillian McAllister, which has been published in multiple languages around the world.

What Really Happened to Wil?

At first, Elena insists that the incident was accidental. According to her version of events, she hit a man while trying to escape a threatening situation on a deserted road. Paula and Cris rush to help her, believing their younger sister acted out of fear.

However, the truth revealed later in the story is far more disturbing. The man Elena killed was Wilfredo Gómez, and the collision was not an accident. In reality, Elena intentionally ran him over. What initially appeared to be a tragic moment of panic turns out to be a deliberate act.

This revelation changes the entire perspective of the story. Paula and Cris thought they were helping their sister deal with a terrible accident, but in fact they were unknowingly helping to cover up a murder.

Why Elena Decided to Kill Him

Wil was not a stranger to Elena. He was the biological father of her daughter, Ane. The two had met during a previous trip to the Dominican Republic and had a brief relationship.

After learning about the child, Wil began pressuring Elena. He threatened to pursue custody of Ane and demanded money in exchange for staying out of their lives. For Elena, the situation felt like an immediate danger to her relationship with her daughter.

Instead of turning to authorities or trying to resolve the situation legally, Elena decided to confront him herself. That meeting ultimately led to Wil’s death and triggered the chain of events that drives the series.

The Sisters’ Past Trauma

The Arbizu sisters’ reactions are also shaped by a traumatic event from their childhood. When they were young, their mother died by suicide after jumping from the window of their apartment, taking two of the children with her. Elena was the only one who survived the fall, while Paula and Cris witnessed the tragedy but were powerless to stop it. The incident left deep emotional scars on both sisters and continued to shape their relationship with Elena for years to come.

Their father’s behavior after the tragedy only deepened those wounds. He placed responsibility on the older sisters while treating Elena as someone who needed constant protection. This family dynamic carried into adulthood and helps explain why Paula immediately chooses to protect Elena when the crisis happens.

What Happens to Ane?

After the truth about Wil’s death eventually comes out, Elena is convicted and sent to prison. Her daughter Ane is still very young at the time, so she cannot stay with her. Cris becomes Ane’s guardian and raises her away from the Dominican Republic. They move to Barcelona and build a new life there.

During her time in prison, Elena makes a painful decision: she avoids having contact with her daughter. She believes that growing up visiting a mother in prison would be harmful for Ane and chooses to stay out of her life instead.

Ane’s Role in the Finale

Many years later, Ane is an adult trying to understand the story behind her family’s past. She travels back to the Dominican Republic to take part in a hearing that could determine whether Elena is eligible for parole.

In court, Ane reflects on the complicated nature of what happened. Rather than presenting a simple answer, she acknowledges that her mother’s actions can be interpreted in different ways. Elena committed a serious crime, but her decision was also tied to fear and desperation. Her testimony becomes a key moment in the case.

Following the hearing, the court decides to grant Elena parole after the many years she has already spent in prison. The decision allows her to leave prison and rebuild her life outside.

Yet the series does not end with a dramatic reunion. In the final moments, Ane chooses to leave before seeing her mother. After learning the full truth, she needs time to process everything that happened before deciding what kind of relationship she wants with Elena.