Watch The Returned

The Returned is a French television drama series that aired on Canal+ from 2012 to 2015. The show explores the concept of what would happen if loved ones who have passed on suddenly returned to life, seemingly unchanged. Set in a small mountain town in France, the show follows several families as they grapple with the sudden reappearance of their deceased family members.

The Returned opens with the return of Camille, a young girl who died in a bus accident four years prior. When her family sees her again, they are understandably shocked, and must navigate the challenges of re-introducing her into their lives. But Camille is not the only one to return; soon, other deceased residents come back to life in the small town, including Simon, who died on his wedding day; Victor, a young boy who was murdered in the town; and Serge, a serial killer who was killed by the police.

As more and more of the dead return to the town, tensions begin to rise. Some townspeople embrace the return of their loved ones, while others are frightened and confused. The local government attempts to keep everything under control, but as new mysteries arise, they struggle to keep the peace. Meanwhile, the returned themselves must grapple with the fact that they are no longer the same people they were before they died. They are haunted by their pasts and feel disconnected from the present.

The show is filled with haunting and beautiful imagery, shot in the stark mountain landscape that surrounds the town. The mood is eerie and tense, with a strong sense of foreboding that permeates every episode. The score, composed by Mogwai, is haunting and ethereal, adding to the overall atmosphere of the show.

At its core, The Returned is a meditation on grief. The return of the deceased loved ones forces the living to confront their own emotions around death and loss. The show explores themes of memory, love, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems meaningless.

Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of The Returned is the way it blurs the lines between life and death. The returned are not quite alive, but they are not quite dead either. They occupy a liminal space that forces the living to confront their own mortality. The show suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to something else entirely.

The show has a large and diverse cast, and each character has their own story arc. One of the central characters is teenage Lena, who is struggling to find her place in the world. Her mother is one of the returned, and Lena feels like her life is being overshadowed by her mother's return. She befriends Camille, who is also struggling to adjust to her new life. Meanwhile, the town's doctor, Julie, finds herself drawn to Simon, despite the fact that he is dead.

The Returned was a critical and commercial success, and received widespread praise for its innovative storytelling, strong performances, and stunning visuals. It was lauded for its ability to combine elements of horror, science fiction, and drama in a way that felt new and fresh. The show was also remade for American audiences as Resurrection, but was not as successful.

In conclusion, The Returned is a haunting and beautiful exploration of grief, memory, and the line between life and death. With stunning visuals, a haunting score, and a talented cast, the show captivates viewers from start to finish. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in innovative storytelling and fresh takes on classic themes.

The Returned is a series that ran for 2015 seasons (21 episodes) between November 26, 2012 and on Canal+