The Break

After trying several series on Netflix that didn't appeal to me, I decided to give the recently added La Trêve ('The Break') a try.

The first episode seemed like an exploration of the characters by the actors and creators, and it felt good. My curiosity was awakened and I looked forward to the next episode.

La Trêve turned out to get better with every episode. The brooding atmosphere and intriguing characters started to crawl under my skin. The main actor - Yoann Blanc - established an admirable performance. His character gets more and more intense as the series progresses. But just about every actor shines in La Trêve.

The story development is gripping, with several plot twists that leave the series relatively unpredictable until the end. I loved the aerial shots of the beautiful Ardennes scenery, adding a sense of mystery to the story. The atmospheric soundtrack really completes the dark, slightly surreal impression of La Trêve.

What I loved most is the dark, fatalistic tone that effectively surfaces more and more throughout the series, giving you an uncanny feeling of inevitable, impending doom as Yoann gets closer to solving the murder case, unveiling the hidden, twisted secrets of several village inhabitants.

If I'd have to say something negative about La Trêve, I'd reluctantly admit that some of the plot twists were a bit far-fetched. But the plot twists also kept the story thrilling. I'm also sad to confess that in my humble opinion, season two could not live up to the excellence of season one.

La Trêve (season one) is a fine example of what is labeled as New Belgian Noir. An interesting, dark blend of elements from Twin Peaks, True Detective and Broadchurch.