Les Papillons Noirs

This French series is set in two time periods. In the present author Adrien Winckler is interviewing Albert Desiderio, an elderly man. Albert is telling him the story of himself and a woman named Solange, mostly in the 1970s. We see their story through a series of flashbacks which are intertwined with Adrien's life in the present. It starts off as a love story but after an incident on a beach Solange kills a man who is attacking her and Albert kills the only witness. From then on their story is one of murder. Adrien starts writing the story and it is considered some of his best work in ages, but his life is starting to unravel.

I thought this was a really gripping series; it started nicely enough with Albert telling his story that could have turned out to be an innocent romance. When things get violent it soon becomes apparent that Albert's story will be twisted and at times disturbing. There is plenty of fairly gory murder but it is the scenes of a back street abortion that are the most disturbing even though none of the procedure is really shown; just the sight of a needle and much screaming. As the end approaches there are plenty of twist; these are not too obvious. The acting is impressive throughout. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to those wanting a solid unpredictable drama.

These comments are based on watching the series in French with English subtitles.

I enjoyed this series from the very beginning, who starts a series with a closeup of a bowl of Fruit Loops?

And it gets way better from there. The entire story fits together even though you can't guess what will happen next.

Best of all the difference between current time and flashback is very easy to follow compared to some series I have watched recently. This series has the added plus of the actors playing the young characters look like the actors playing aged character.

Credit good editing, unusually good casting, attention to detail. The premise of the story was original. It was a story nested in a story but much more.

The music is pretty goofy, and it is way violent.

Don't often write reviews but this one really moved me. So many twists and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat. I tried very hard not to binge watch, but ended up watching it over two days. Congratulations to the writer, what a thoroughly excellent story, one of those series that I will remember for years to come. The only improvement would have been if they could have told the story of one particular character, who had a tragic existence from beginning to end, dying a horrible death. Trying not to spoil it but if you watch it you will know exactly what I mean. Even though its fiction, you feel this individual deserved a better story, an expansion of his character, or at least a happy ending, and it leaves you feeling a bit sad and cheated. Excellent Story overall.

Engaging and well-written. This was a different flavor of a love story that is realistic in a way, which I loved the most. The characters played their parts well. Was hooked on the young version of Solange and Albert. Indeed it was almost a fictional confession which was not justified on the earlier part of the episodes though some of it were predictable. The Carrell part was a bit hanging and could have been elaborated more but it might be too much to be concise on the 6 episodes. I appreciate that the series was straightforward and focused on the main characters. The actor who played Adrian was convincing and brooding which was exactly what I want for the role. I hope netflix would add more to this genre.

I give this an 8 but truthfully I am in middle of 2nd episode. So far really, really good for a mystery thriller tv miniseries.

As always foreign films are in a class by themselves compared to American entertainment movies/tv series. There are some good ones from U. S. A. But it is not a regular happening. Most European countries have the best of the best when it comes to TV series and films.

It is a dark moody story and this is what I like. I don't care that TV mini series are realistic or not because after all this is a TV/movie which is supposed to be pure entertainment, not real life.

I like stories/plot writing that is creative and puts me in the world of what I am watching whether realistic or not. So many people complain of outlandish plots because they are not true to life. I am a person who says "who the fk cares" as long as it is good story telling and this is.

An intriguing story with interesting characters!