''Mortel'' () is a French

supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...

television series. The plot revolves around three teenagers, two of whom have acquired superpowers after making a deal with a supernatural being in order to solve a murder. The show premiered on

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...

on 21 November 2019. The second season premiered on 2 July 2021.

Synopsis

Two teenagers, Sofiane and Victor, make a pact with a voodoo god Obé to allow them solve and avenge the apparent murder of Sofiane's brother, Reda. Sofiane is given the power by Obé to manipulate other people's actions, while Victor can read their minds. Both however must be present near each other for their powers to work. They then enlist the help of Luisa, who practices voodoo with her grandmother, so they may be free of the grip that Obé has on them and banish Obé from the world.

Cast and characters

* Carl Malapa as Sofiane Kada * Némo Schiffman as Victor Wanderwelt *

Manon Bresch Manon Bresch (born 4 January 1998) is a French-Cameroonian actress. Biography Bresch attended the drama school Cours Florent in Paris for twelve years. She has Cameroonian ancestry and has visited there on vacation. Bresch made her film debut in ...

as Luisa Manjimbe *

Corentin Fila Corentin Fila (born 28 September 1988) is a French actor. Life and career Son of a French specialized teacher and Franco-Congolese director David-Pierre Fila, Corentin obtained a degree in economics at Paris-Descartes while doing modeling. At t ...

as Obé *

Sami Outalbali Sami Outalbali (born 19 March 1999) is a French actor. He rose to prominence for portraying Ilyes on the OCS (TV channel), OCS drama series ' (2016–2019) and gained international recognition for his role as Rahim in the Netflix comedy-drama serie ...

as Reda Kada, brother of Sofiane *

Firmine Richard Firmine Richard (born 25 September 1947 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France) is a French actress. Her film credits include ''8 Women'' and ''Hunting and Gathering''. Personal life In February 2009, Richard took part in demonstrations in Paris ...

as Elizabeth, Luisa's grandmother * Anaïs Thomas as Audrey Jourdant * Raphaëlle Agogué as Celine Wanderwelt * Marvin Dubart as Bastien Duponchel * Léa Léviant as Melanie *

Assa Sylla Assa Aïcha Sylla (born 3 June 1996) is a French actress and writer. She debuted in the film '' Girlhood'' (2014), which earned her César and Black Reel Award nominations. She has since starred in the French version of '' Skam'' (2018–2020), ...

as Nora Cissoko * Stéphane Brel as Herve * Daouda Keita as Ousmane Blanchard

Episodes

Season 1 (2019)

Season 2 (2021)

Reception

The show received a mixed reception from the critics. '' GQ'' magazine, despite some reservation about its special effect, praised the skill of the story-telling, the acting of the principal actors, as well as the soundtracks. It considered the show to be the best French series since the launch of Netflix and deserving of a second season. ''

Télérama ''Télérama'' is a weekly French cultural and television magazine published in Paris, France. The name is a contraction of its earlier title: ''Télévision-Radio-Cinéma''. Fabienne Pascaud is currently managing editor. Ludovic Desautez is dep ...

'' was highly critical, considering the series more laughable than a hit, and its music failed to hide its stylistic flaws. ''Premiere'' thought the series veered awkwardly between teen drama and its supernatural elements but was nevertheless successful stylistically. Based only on its first episode, the ''

Decider Decider is both a real word and a "Bushism". It may refer to: * ''Decider'' (website), a pop culture website operated by the ''New York Post'' *'' Bill Maher: The Decider'', a stand-up comedy special * Decider (Turing machine), a Turing machine th ...

'' found the series to be too muddled to continue watching a second episode.

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title 2010s French drama television series Television shows set in France French-language Netflix original programming 2010s teen drama television series French supernatural television series French fantasy television series 2019 French television series debuts Television series about teenagers