Spotless (2015) User Reviews

At Episode 7 It Jumps the Shark

[hayley96 · 7/10 · 9 April 2021]

For the first six episodes, I wondered why this nifty show didn't land somewhere for a second season after Esquire TV shut down. Then we get episode seven. The new cop is owned by the bad guys. Apparently, Nelson Clay, a known criminal, has the run of the police station. Meanwhile Martin, the lowlife brother of our star, Jean, romances Sonny, Nelson Clay's wife. An overweight guy dressed perpetually in a t-shirt and hoodie, somehow seduces a cold eye killer's wife.

There are more contrived situations and bad plot devices. You really begin to wonder what Clay keeps Jean around for. The last three episodes are a mess.

Mixed Feelings

[gbbonkers · 7/10 · 21 February 2018]

There were things to like about this series. Some of the acting was quite good - Denis Menochet was remarkable. Marc-Andre Grondin certainly had his moments but his brooding and the constant look on his face of disgust or anger or hopelessness or whatever it was, got a little old. There were some plot twists, some pausible but many more, implausible. Overall I had very mixed feelings about this series. It didn't help that I couldn't separate Brendan Coyle from his role in this versus his role in Downton Abbey.

Not great, not terrible

[rbost-70233 · 7/10 · 25 August 2021]

Very poor ending if intended to be finale. OK if Season 2 is in the works. You kind of have to pull for these hapless brothers. Bates (Downton Abbey reference) isn't that convincing as a mob boss. His perma-smirk just doesn't give off Limey Mob you know? The 'romance' between Julie and Michael/Victor was ridiculous. Poor writing there fellas. OK, maybe a 6 but since I watched all ten episodes I'll give it a seven.

Yes, you should definitely watch this.

[dfsdsdfas · 10/10 · 20 March 2015]

I didn't do any research, i just looked it up and read 'crime scene' cleaner, no unsympathetic looking actors or other things like that would rule it out for me or indicate it could be the type of series i am not interested in. it definitely gives you a vibe of 'dexter' and 'breaking bad' in sense of the tight, personal and professional connection to death and the dead - and the drugs (yeah, kinda lots of them, so a major focal point). i very much like the french vibe too, it's a counter part to being too obvious going in a certain direction - you can't read the main characters that well. i am always looking for new series that have something more than making noise in the background. and although it has some familiar parts, as i mentioned before, it has a whole new feeling to it. and for me the type of 'functional psychopath' is very entertaining to watch. i am very optimistic for forthcoming episodes..

Great Drama

[anlau613 · 10/10 · 1 June 2016]

This show has excellent plotting, acting, and strong themes. It's suspenseful and entertaining. It's also filmed beautifully. Other reviewers mentioned Dexter--there is a similarity with the crime scenes, but I think this show handles that element with more artistry than Dexter did, and also handles the main character's exploration of the darkness people are capable of with more elegance and certainly more complexity.

Most of all, it's an incredibly astute and surprising character study, not just of the main characters, but of an entire cast of weird and wonderful people. Not one character is stock. I can't remember the last time I deeply cared about each and every character on a show. Some of them I hated (one, in particular, is one of the most flawed and frightening I can ever recall on TV), but I cared what happened to them all and could relate in some way to even the most disturbing of them.

A great show. I can't believe I'd never heard of it before I saw it on Netflix and for some reason decided to try it.

Definitely Worth The Watch

[bbriddell · 10/10 · 31 December 2015]

I read the other review & decided to give this show a try, I was pleasantly surprised.

The only show to attempt to compare it to (pre-watch) was Dexter & about the only other show you can relate to when you first start watching.

The show develops on its own & by the 6th ep the story starts to deepen. When you start watching try a few episodes back to back. Eps 1 to 4 were all watchable & I wanted to see how the story would develop. I was hooked by the 6th ep & looking forward to 7th ep.

The acting, writing, directing, sets, locations, story, & etc. . are gre8 and keep you engaged in the story.

If this is a French production, then the French have a lot of great shows for us English speakers. The only barrier was language & this show is in English. This is the 2nd French show in English that I really like more than most Shows here in the U.S. Most shows here in the U.S. are predictable, cliché', &/or boring.

The sophistication of this show is well worth the watch & a welcome break from the current SOS in the US.

Enjoy.

Great entertainment, highly absorbing

[henry-69520 · 10/10 · 29 August 2016]

Just finished watching this series on Netflix and loved it. Can't wait for series 2.

I watch films and dramas to be entertained and realise they are fiction not reality so a bit of artistic licence is given. Were there elements which made me question the script? Yes, the daughter possibly would be more believable were she 14 or 15 in the script not 13 but as the father of a 15 year old daughter myself maybe I'm over sensitive in this area.

I too wouldn't have minded more foreign language where appropriate accompanied by subtitles but a mass audience might disagree.

I found the characters fully believable and immersed myself in their lives. There was enough subtlety in the acting to allow degrees of hatred, sympathy or identification. The storyline kept me engaged throughout the episodes filling in gaps as it went along.

For me it was a no question 10/10

Watched it without knowing anything about the series in advance.

Squandered potential

[davesimpson-25245 · 6/10 · 21 January 2018]

This quasi-french-british drama is entertaining enough but is ultimately yet another example of a show squandering its potential to go from being a "good" tv show to a "great" one. The premise starts out well: a professional crime-scene cleaner (Jean Bastiere) is forced to work for the London mob after falling into serious financial trouble, giving the mob essentially the invaluable ability to erase any trace of a murder. However, Jean's unwavering moral compass means he is fundamentally against this from the get-go and it only takes a few episodes before he's had enough and begins looking for a way out. A far more intriguing direction to take the plot would have been a more "Breaking Bad"-esque scenario in which Jean comes to accept and eventually revel in his new found second life and the viewer gets to enjoy all the unpredictable consequences that follow. Alas, it was not to be, and what we are left with is a mildly compelling but predictable ending.

Perfectly yummy stuff

[untilnow99 · 10/10 · 29 October 2016]

My only regret is that I can't be a newbie and watch this series all over again from scratch, that's how much pleasure it gave me. What terrific casting. What great writing. You never know what's going to happen next. Wonderful.

One thing that I loved the most was the brother "Martin." He looks much like Robert Mitchum looked in Cape Fear, if R. M. had been much more hirsute. What a fun "bad boy" character. Denis Ménochet (Martin) exudes the same combination of quiet menace, boxer boy body and charisma as Mitchum had, too. Lots more of a softy at heart, though. A very good brother to have around, if only to make your life a lot more exciting. A real treat to watch.

The whole series is just one big luscious bag of tasty fun. I envy those of you who will be seeing it for the first time. Enjoy.

Kinda meh

[lateuing · 6/10 · 1 April 2020]

Its promising at first. But it became boring, and the show is too slow. There's funny. The ending, was it supposed continue to 2nd season? Idk

I hate this series...

[nilsonsc · 9/10 · 10 January 2020]

...for the fact that we will never see a second season.

This show is simply sensational: The plot, the characters, the acting, the soundtrack, the dialogues. Everything seems to be well-thought to be there. As others have said, it reminds a bit of Breaking Bad, but don't expect the same quality, of course. I really wish Netflix or any other big company would make a decent final season for it, even after so long.

Great concept story turned into a horrible thing

[jayeshdave78 · 3/10 · 3 February 2021]

The first two to three episodes were really intriguing. They had a great concept story and fantastic characters in the supposed villain and funny brother. Suddenly it started going downhill from episode 4 making no sense whatsoever. Rating went down further 2 stars after episode 6 - totally senseless now. Its exhausting to finish this now. The lead was the worst cast but the writer just deviated from gold to a puddle of mess

Hits the spot! Awesome series!

[ShankRedemption · 10/10 · 10 November 2016]

An absolute must series! (Well you obviously could pass, but more fool you). People that gave a low rating must have been distracted or just negative people for crime dramas in general. It's enticing, thrilling, sick and twisted, humorous at parts without being cheesy like some series are, it's certainly not a comedy.

First couple episodes are the slowest, but like all good series, necessary to paint the picture and set the journey off, having said that, the first two are still very good!

The series at times reminds me of Luther, in its feel of a show. However, it's not a cop investigation series in the same manner. Without giving any spoilers, I can see how some are making a similarity of one aspect of Spotless to that of Breaking bad, but it really isn't like watching Breaking Bad in the slightest, so don't expect either repetition or plagiarism.

I would have gave it 9.5 if the option was there, as 'Stranger Things' and 'Peaky Blinders' are the 10 bench mark. But going down to 9 seemed to unfair for a rare series that got me to watch all 10 episodes in 2 days!

Well executed crime drama

[Toominator · 8/10 · 18 February 2016]

*****Possible Spoilers for Spotlight and Breaking Bad****

There have been comparisons to Breaking Bad for Spotlight, and I can easily see why. While Walter White's profession as a chemist gave him the perfect opportunity to segue to the dark side of drug production, Jean Baptiste, as a crime scene cleaner, opens a different, but similar door to the criminal world.

The writing, performances, and score in this series are so very good. Brendan Coyle is amazing as the crime boss.

I'm not sure I agree with the choice of having Jean's character involved in an affair, being that his wife is a hottie, not a bitchy character, and that, along with his two kids, makes it a tough sell.

The score edits are spot on - composer Neil Davidge demonstrates some true artistry in the music choices and composition.

Well done! I only wish this series was more readily available online.

One of the best crime dramas ever!

[senkosam-948-979068 · 10/10 · 19 March 2017]

The main character gets my sympathy immediately - first scene where his mother's lover is killed by him as a boy to protect his brother. As soon as his brother shows up with a body containing drugs, you know it's going to get much worse. What a beautiful family and predictably dragged into a world of death and betrayal. The tension up until the last episode had me fast forwarding to the conclusions of each loose end, but disappointed that his wife and children are missing without closure; and that the brother who slept with gangsters wife hasn't seen the end of her or her husband. Please, please, please continue with another season! There is so little to watch that has such talented writers, directors and a superb cast that fit each role perfectly.

Love this show.. (possible some Spoilers)

[xmistidawn · 9/10 · 19 October 2016]

The story here is interesting. I watched the first two and got totally attached. The characters are quirky but serious at the right times. I first thought maybe this is a bit like Dexter but then realized they put the plots in organized crime rather than vigilante. The Highlight of the show is the character Jean. Love this actor. But best of all is seeing (Mr. Bates of Downton) as the Crime Boss (Brendon Coyle). I look forward to more of this show. It is not resolved, and do hope there is more. Quality of Brit Crime shows surpasses all others in my opinion, this does not disappoint. While there are some points I wanted to thump Jean upside the head, for things he does. Give it a watch its great TV entertainment. I watched on Netflix.

A pretty solid series

[eleester · 8/10 · 30 November 2021]

Stumbled upon this on Netflix and the premise of the story caught my attention. Lets just say Spotless has a Breaking Bad sort of vibe. A guy who wants to do good but ends up doing the bad. It has its laughable moments but personally I think throughout the 10 episodes it was a rather solid series. Its a shame that there will probably never be a season2, but I do hope it gets picked up continue where it left off. Enjoyable series I must say!

Tre Bonn

[aprilmike-51991 · 8/10 · 14 August 2019]

Half way into the series and I must say its all good so far.

I like the way that each episode is complete yet here is enough of the back story seeping through to keep you guessing!

Its strange watching a scani noir esc program based in my old home country.

I have watch this with subs but it may be possible to see it with a dubbed view, not sure just going on what others have said.

So far not a baget or citron in site!

Could have been great but ....

[jayeshdave78 · 3/10 · 26 January 2021]

The lead really is super poor in acting skills. Looks constipated most of the time and lacks expressions otherwise. The remaining cast is great but the writer really needed to use the chars there Bette and make this a dark drama instead of showing some justified side of a character who is shady to begin with.

Fabulous

[debbiewhatley68 · 9/10 · 17 September 2018]

How has this drama only one series? The characters are great, situations believable and good acting - what more could you want?

A MOST WATCHABLE SERIAL .. Too Good..

[himsondinesh · 9/10 · 2 August 2020]

Very nice, taut, well written , extremely novel plot, very good overall acting by all the characters. Well enacted & directed serial... I wish they come out with the 2nd Season soon..

Don't waste your time for the overly hyped stupid series

[MovieIQTest · 9 January 2016]

This is perhaps one of the worst TV dramas I've ever tried to view and tried to complete the first episode. It's bad but I'm not surprised at all since anytime when the British film or TV dramas trying to make up something related to the mobster, gangster and so-called the British underworld, they usually turned out to be sucked to the extreme and as predicted, this show turned out to be exactly the same. I just don't know how could it possible this lame, laughable series would have fooled so many viewers and critics to give high rating.

Bad screenplays, bad scenarios, bad plots, and most of all, eye-sore poor acting of all the actors involved in this series. It's laughable instead of believable with terrible dialog. The acting of the two brothers are just as bad as you could imagine, other supporting cast are even worse beyond any word could describe.

Some genre definitions we need to clarify here: When you define 'Drama', it should be a 'Drama'; 'Thriller' should be 'Thriller', 'Crime' be 'Crime', 'Comedy' should be 'Comedy', and so on. But if you try to mix a 'Crime/Thriller' with 'Comedy', it will be like trying to mix oil with water, it'd never work, the result would be just turn such stupid mixture into a 'Farce'. This series is exactly like this, other than the poor screenplay and the stupid scenarios, lousy plot, the miserable casting job further deteriorated it and transform it into some deformed god-awful big laugh, insulting the viewers' I.Q.

So far, anything from the British entertaining biz, except they are adaptations from the classic, such as Dickens or other classic literature, all the so-called 'English Mysteries' created by those housekeeping wives created on their kitchen tables are nothing but self-righteous yet laughable shallow, unbelievable and ridiculous products. Those laughable dreamed-up 'Murder' cases, 'Inspector So-and-So', anything related to 'Police', just turned out to be laughable. That's why Dick Francis would have created a absolutely stupid character as a 'horse jockey' to be a crime solving P.I., and more and more house wives or even old spinsters to be the crime solvers, and most laughable fact is that these people have created so many murders in England that might have already wiped out about 1/3 of their population.

This series is too awful to watch and not worth writing a review for it, so the purpose of this review is just to warn off some people not to get brain damage and impair their I.Q.

Should have been renewed!

[nikkiseehra · 10/10 · 31 August 2019]

I am surprised that such a great drama was not renewed. What a shame!

What happened to Season 2????

[spokanegolfer · 9/10 · 17 August 2020]

One of my all time favorite shows!! I kind of have a thing for good BBC shows and this is one of the best!! I fail to see why there weren't more seasons! Someone really dropped the ball here. While usually squeamish at the sight of blood, this show doesn't focus on that even though their job deals with it! Wonderful characters, script, and relationship with the various actors. Must be a great set!

Bloody Hell....oh my!

[m_winship · 9/10 · 15 February 2021]

Two French brothers get involved with the mob. The happy one on the right is married and has a good job as a crime scene cleaner. (Reminds me of the time I had to clean a liquefied body out of a closet in Ft Pierce as a paramedic). We scrubbed it down with bleach and tore out carpeting. The brother on the left is a neer do well that's gets his younger bro into trouble you see, in London. The series is in British English and is somewhat of a dark comedy with a great deal of violence and bloodshed. It probably wouldn't do for American TV, but then again Americans are quite violent and gun happy anyway. Enjoy this limited series and comment your thoughts on this topic. Pax and Amore, Murf