I love horror, but I also know that horror, especially Netflix horror recently can be either really good or really bad, so I went into this with very low expectations, and, honestly, I was very pleasantly surprised. The first episode immediately gripped me and made me want to see more, more of these characters, more of this story. I feel like this series honestly does a lot of things right, especially the characters. I felt like I was never watching characters, but real people. Scenes were they were angry at each-other had a very real tension to it, scenes were they were happy and having fun with each-other make you feel happy to see a group of friends being able to see the bright-side in dark situations. And even the language barrier didn't bother me, sure I don't speak french, and sure the subtitles were a bit wonky every now and then, but still, I was able to understand everything that was going on. Of course, like everything, this series has some issues, but very minor (at least to me). Overall, this was a very well crafted, short series, that I hope does well enough to warrant a second season because, honestly, I can't wait to see where they take the story, and what will happen next given the circumstances of were they left off.
286 Reviews
A show that's undecided whether it wants to be a serious horror drama or a quirky black comedy
MrFilmJunkie22 September 2019
France has brought us horror favorites such as 'High Tension', 'Martyrs' and 'Inside'. From Netflix, on the other hand, we got last year's excellent horror offering "The Haunting of Hill House".
So I got really excited, when this French horror show hit Netflix and early reviewers seemed to be stoked. Unfortunately, 'Marianne' turned out to be very different from the examples above. It's mostly reminiscent of Sam Raimi's dark horror comedy 'Drag Me To Hell', including a gross out old lady, a lot of quirkiness and body horror. But the problem here is, that 'Marianne' also wants to be a drama. That doesn't work at all, as neither the story nor the characters can ever really be taken seriously. It's a tonally incoherent mess, jumping back and forth from scares to comic relief moments. The characters are either unlikable (such as the rather pretentious lead) or bland, or both. On the plus side, there's the nice scenery and cinematography. The scare scenes are mostly effective (albeit nothing we haven't seen before). So this could have been a great show, if the characters were more compelling, the narrative more straightforward and above all, void of the unecessary comic relief.
At last, a good French horror series worth binging
jonathan_9114 September 2019
Netflix promises a lot, but not always delivers.
They did deliver, though, with "Marianne", an eight-episode French series that will fix your need for all things Stephen King and Conjuring-related.
The story's premise is as formulaic as can be in the horror genre, especially inspired by S. King's novels: Emma, a thirty-something French horror writer, has decided to put an end to a series of books that tell the story of Lizzie Lark, her heroine, who battles an evil witch called (you guessed it) Marianne. Emma has had enough of this character and wants to move on with her life, and, maybe, write something else, something more "serious" (she is a French novelist, after all). Little did she expect a former school friend, Caro, to show up at one of her book signing events, and scare her into returning back to her hometown, which she had left 15 years before, after a terrible tragedy.
The cast is solid, the characters interesting, diverse and well-developed. Some moments are genuinely scary. The pacing may at times be a problem, and the series slows down in the middle, but nothing too problematic. The script is clever and culminates in an extremely promising cliffhanger that will certainly leave you wanting for a second series.
The story's premise is as formulaic as can be in the horror genre, especially inspired by S. King's novels: Emma, a thirty-something French horror writer, has decided to put an end to a series of books that tell the story of Lizzie Lark, her heroine, who battles an evil witch called (you guessed it) Marianne. Emma has had enough of this character and wants to move on with her life, and, maybe, write something else, something more "serious" (she is a French novelist, after all). Little did she expect a former school friend, Caro, to show up at one of her book signing events, and scare her into returning back to her hometown, which she had left 15 years before, after a terrible tragedy.
The cast is solid, the characters interesting, diverse and well-developed. Some moments are genuinely scary. The pacing may at times be a problem, and the series slows down in the middle, but nothing too problematic. The script is clever and culminates in an extremely promising cliffhanger that will certainly leave you wanting for a second series.
Finally!!!!
markinok13 September 2019
GREAT CINEMATOGRAPHY BUT LAZY SILLY CLICHES
guimp19 September 2019
I really wanted to like this more, particularly due to the lack of descent horror series we have been facing lately. But it's very disappointing to see such a good cinematography wasted on a lazy story full of random silly rules, cliches and dull jumpscares. There's not one really scary scene and everything is so predictable. At best, it might serve as a generic teen entertainment for those not familiar with the genre.
THIS we need more of!!
trinny2017 September 2019
Wow! I've known for a while that the French can make great drama and thrillers, but here they come with a horror series and they knock it out of the park yet again!
There's an option for both subtitles and dubbing, and the dubbing works quite well, if you're like me and can't stare avidly at the screen at all times.
I absolutely LOVED Marianne! The acting was great, the setting and buildup just right and executed correctly. The twists were really good and that ending means we need a season two! We NEED IT.
Too much confusion
flazarou15 September 2019
The idea of the plot was interesting, the cinematography was really good, many creepy scenes throughout the series BUT... the writers were really confused. The story is all over the place, everything is happening so fast (especially in the first three episodes), there's no atmosphere or mystery whatsoever. The characters are all superficial at best with no chemistry between them. And also what's with the comedy all the time?? Especially in moments when everyone is supposed to be worried. All in all, it's just sad that such a good story idea was so poorly executed. Watch it but don't have high expectations.
Before Horror Haters Ruin Its Rating
rcanipe-926-48692114 September 2019
If you enjoy Stephen King and Insidious-styke horror, check.out this French series. Great cinematography and imagery, good acting, and creepy dread. The unlikeable lead is well played. Robert says, "check it out."
Great start with the two first episodes but after that it descends into being a bag full of cliches, boring melodrama and a obnoxious main character.
MrPupkin14 November 2019
It started out great and there are a few good moments throughout but as it went on it got more nonsensical. The comedy sprinkled throughout was funny but unfortunately took away from the creepiness. Lots of hommage to horror movies (even anime) which was interesting but it got to the point where it was distracting. It was way overhyped on social media and it feels disappointing that it did not deliver to the degree that was advertised.
All over the place
robfranknz28 September 2019
This series started really well and scared the pants off me in the first two episodes. However, the mood of the story changes from out right horror to black comedy to a soap opera.
There's even a 'Stranger Things' inspired episode where the characters are teenagers again with accompanying 80s synth wave music, which throws the pace of the story completely out of the window.
Characters are also hard to relate to, especially the main character who is so arrogant you find it hard to care about her or any of the characters.
There's even a 'Stranger Things' inspired episode where the characters are teenagers again with accompanying 80s synth wave music, which throws the pace of the story completely out of the window.
Characters are also hard to relate to, especially the main character who is so arrogant you find it hard to care about her or any of the characters.
Boring and seen
zsmole15 September 2019
Story starts not bad, idea is ok, but this was such a pain to watch, that is hard to imagine. Slow paced horror story mixed with wannabe drama and a bit of soap love story. I had to skip through the last 4 episodes. There are few scary ideas (seen before) runing throuhg the whole seaaon, its just boring. Story becames a mess, and characters are really not likable, none of them. Super predictable twists. Waste of time.
Astonishing french horror!!
stmp-2552213 September 2019
Best horror series I've seen in a long time
weakcrack13 September 2019
Story lacked as the season progressed
wandernn1-81-68327420 March 2020
I thought this first season was fairly good especially at the beginning as some other reviews have pointed out. The Story / script/ dialogue etc sort of lacked in later episodes. But overall I liked this first (and possibly but hopefully not last ) season of the show.
Netflix's Series on Horror never Disappoints!
ssjsr13 September 2019
Not Bad.
afrodome23 October 2019
I can't take these pop culture columnists seriously anymore. I read articles claiming that this was "terrifying" and was even compared to Hereditary. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, but it is nothing like The Exorcist or the heavy hitters in the genre. It's a deliberately comedic and campy mystery/horror.
Surprisingly good
lovishbansal-3155525 May 2020
Wasn't really expecting much but it really surprised me.. It is very hard to convince in the horror genre but this one got me all hooked to it and i loved it right from the start.. What stood out for me was the acting.. I mean every single actor gave their best... Ya the jokes and bad animation was annoying at times but for most of it we should give it the credit for keeping us on edge for most of the show.
overrated by the newspapers
trashgang17 September 2019
Stated in the newspapers as the next big thing in the horror genre coming from France. Expectations were high due the fact that the goriest flicks came way back in time from France. Guess you all know which ones I mean. Telling that people really were scared and trailers looking promising I didn't hesitate to start this.
First episode was top notch, The creepy atmosphere was there and the score used was as classic as hell to make it as scary as it could be.
On to episode two which was something completely different. The creepy parts and even gory moments from the first one disappeared to move into the so ususal talk talk for a French movie or serie. And so I moved more and more into what becomes a rather disappointing serie. No more gore and a letdown in the gore from episode one. Okay, it's not all that bad, it do has it moments and some parts are creepy but the blah blah made it a bit hard to watch.
Gore 0,5/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2,5/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5
First episode was top notch, The creepy atmosphere was there and the score used was as classic as hell to make it as scary as it could be.
On to episode two which was something completely different. The creepy parts and even gory moments from the first one disappeared to move into the so ususal talk talk for a French movie or serie. And so I moved more and more into what becomes a rather disappointing serie. No more gore and a letdown in the gore from episode one. Okay, it's not all that bad, it do has it moments and some parts are creepy but the blah blah made it a bit hard to watch.
Gore 0,5/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2,5/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5
Marianne
BeRightBack14 September 2019
Alright could have been better
chilversedward28 September 2019
I thought this series was ok. It had a few good horror elements and creepy parts. It was nice to look at and was shot well the production quality was quite high. Where the series was let down imho was the confusion it seemed to have as to what it was. There was lame attempts at comedy throughout, not dark comedy which could have suited in moderation.
But weak silliness type of comedy I guess kept popping up here and there and the drama and relationship between characters was awry and confused what this was to me.
All in all though this wasn't a rubbish series, I just wasn't too sure what it was throughout making it not as good as it may possibly have been.
Atmospheric horror meets unlikable characters
megajeffap18 September 2019
A show to watch in anger. Whilst the horror elements are just the right amount of unsettling and well imagined, you can't escape the fact that the characters are bland and unlikable. Emma is an intolerable bore of a protagonist, one whom I will not be satisfied until she comes to a gruesome end.
WHY NETFLIX WHY!?
davidcolon-3432417 July 2021
Marianne is by far one of the best Netflix original titles i've watched in recent memory. The writing is well paced, the acting is amazing and each episode genuinely builds off the last one is such a way that makes the ending of season 1 so gratifyingly morbid. Why Netflix decided to cancel such a gem is absolutely beyond me but here's to hoping for some sort of revival.
Absolutely loving it!
ddemek13 September 2019
Good horror
sidharthjayakumar-539-2277483 May 2020
The series starts of bit slow but catches up by the end. There is a bit of confusion here and there but cinematography and horror feel was good. There are too many jump scares sequences. The acting was ok from not bad or good either. A good horror series with a different theme enjoyed it
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
