Movie experience: The Returned

Hi, Hive folks!

A week has passed and I can share with you my impressions of the next series, which I managed to watch.

What can I say... For fans of the zombie genre, the television show The Returned (Les Revenants in French) is a must-see. With so many films made about the living dead, it can be difficult to surprise the audience. But I think that the creators of The Returned managed to do just that, offering an original take on the phenomenon and an atmosphere that is gripping from the first frame. Here I talk about my personal impressions and emotions because if you like action-packed zombie shows filled with half-decomposed, biting dead, then The Returned is more likely to seem a little boring to you.

Supernatural drama television series The Returned was created by Fabrice Gobert, based on the 2004 French film They Came Back (Les Revenants), directed by Robin Campillo. The series which debuted on 26 November 2012 immediately gained critical acclaim, and in 2013, the first season won an International Emmy for Best Drama Series.

The Returned follows the strange occurrences in a small French mountain town as dead people start reappearing, apparently alive and normal. Among them are teenage school bus crash victim Camille, suicidal bridegroom Simon, a small boy called "Victor" who was murdered by burglars, and serial killer Serge. While they attempt to resume their lives, strange phenomena take place: recurring power outages, the mysterious lowering of the local reservoir's water level revealing the presence of dead animals and a church steeple, and the appearance of strange marks on the bodies of the living and the dead.

It's actually quite difficult to understand what's really going on. I've seen a lot of reviews, including those that send the viewer to local lore and legends, but I think that you will still have your own opinion on this matter. As I think the main question is why these people have returned and why they remain in the town. The authors of the Series delve us into the lives of each character as they attempt to return to normalcy, and explores the social, psychological, and ethical implications of their return. They also tackles themes of guilt, grief, revenge, faith, and redemption.

The plot is set in the Alpine foothills and evokes a cold, damp gray atmosphere from the opening credits. The town itself is shrouded in mystery and has a past filled with secrets. It was built on the banks of an artificial reservoir that destroyed the old village. In addition and rumors have it that a maniac has been hunting young girls in the area for many years.

The show's strength lies in its ability to bring this atmosphere to life. Through the use of sparse dialogue, expertly crafted cinematography, and a haunting soundtrack (I was especially captivated by the soundtrack for the second season, it's really mesmerizing), the audience is quickly pulled into the world of The Returned. It's really true. At first, the show seems a little strange and drawn out, but suddenly you find that you will not go to bed for anything until you find out how it all ends and what the hell is really going on there.

The very return of the dead is both an incredible and an exciting event. No matter how long it has been since they were last seen, they come back to their home as if no time has passed at all. The situation can be difficult for the families of those returns, who had to accept the fact of their loved one’s death long ago and had to move on with their lives. And here an interesting question arises. We all mourn the dead, but are we really ready to welcome them back into our lives under the circumstances? The fear of the dead is a normal reaction of the human psyche and... in general, everything is complicated here and many of the characters in the show can really be understood.

On the other hand for those who have lost a loved one, their return is a second chance. It's a second chance to right the wrongs of the past, to apologize for any misdeeds, to forgive and be forgiven, and to simply enjoy the opportunity to have that person back in their lives again. But it's also a chance to go back and relive the pain, grief and sorrow that comes with loss.

For those who return, life can also be difficult. The world have moved on without them, and the people they left behind may no longer recognize them. They may have to deal with the changes that have happened in the years that have passed, and the surprise and shock of those who now find them alive again.

And then there are those who can’t accept the return of the dead. To them, the return is like a ghost in the flesh, something that is impossible and unacceptable. These people may try to deny the return, or even go so far as to try to kill the returnee as if they were a ghost.

In a way, the return of the dead is a metaphor for life itself. We never know what lies ahead of us, and the return of the dead can be seen as a reminder of that. It’s a reminder to live life to the fullest, to never take anything for granted, and to cherish the time we have with our loved ones.

I've seen The Returned compared to The Walking Dead. To be honest, I personally don't see anything in common. There is also another comparison. They say that on the surface, the series The Returned may seem to have similarities to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, but upon further inspection, the two shows could not be more different. While Twin Peaks is a surreal and mystifying journey into the unknown, The Returned is a much more down-to-earth and grounded affair. It is a show that is much more close to reality, and while it certainly has its fair share of mystery, it doesn’t rely on the same sort of pretentious mysticism or mystic characters that Lynch’s show is known for. Characters in The Returned feel like real people, with real problems, emotions and motivations that are easy to understand and relate to. The authors of the show aren’t afraid to dive into the darker aspects of life, with themes such as grief, mourning, and death being explored throughout. However, the show is far from being a depressing or morbid affair.

In general, my review turned out to be somewhat chaotic. You should probably watch the show for yourself. 😁