Netflix's 'Mortel' is a refreshing supernatural thriller drama that you need to binge-watch right now!
The review contains spoilers for the whole season of ‘Mortel’
Currently, Netflix is overflowing with the usual irresistible vampires and imprinting werewolves with shows like 'Immortals', 'Teen Wolf', 'Legacies' and 'The Vampire Diaries'. It is high time we explored another area of this otherworldly dimension.
That brings us to Netflix's first original supernatural show called 'Mortel'. Mind you, its nothing like the conventional supernatural drama that you're used to watching on this platform.
The crux of the show is based on the lives of three incompatible teenagers set across the backdrop of voodoo magic. The web series is originally in French, but the English version is available too with subtitles.
Going by the name 'Mortel', which directly translates to "deadly", it hints at a threat to the mortal world. If you're a sucker for voodoo magic, you're definitely going to be in for a treat!
The show goes on to exhibit voodoo magic like never before. There is a powerful, deceitful, moody god Obé who gives kickass powers to two regular teenagers — Sofiane and Victor.
The show's characters exhibit the power of voodoo magic in a very interesting manner through their "gift". Sofiane can control physical bodies whereas Victor can read minds! In the show, the duo is on a quest to find out who is Sofiane's brother Reda's killer.
Sofiane is a rebellious teenager with major issues that emerge from his traumatic childhood. Being compared to an ideal brother isn't easy to grow up with. On one hand, Reda is a good student who is also on the wrestling team, on the other hand, Sofiane is the mischief monger who always gets into trouble.
It also seems like his mother likes Reda more than him, but even then he idolizes his brother, despite their differences. Through it all, Sofiane envisions that Reda could be alive, even though he's dead since he refuses to accept that his brother may not be alive.
Victor, meanwhile, is a depressed person who tries to commit suicide but survives only to go crazy later in the show. The character arc of Victor is amazingly portrayed as we witness his transition from Episode 1 to Episode 6.
Even though he gets trapped by Sofiane to get into the "Voodoo Pact", he was always mindful of how to use his powers, unlike Sofiane.
Luisa, meanwhile, is the granddaughter of a voodoo practitioner. The only connection the three have apart from going to the same high school is that they all share voodoo powers. Lusia is no witch, but she's gifted with great knowledge of voodoo practices and that makes her a lifesaver for Sofiane and Victor.
Further on, the show goes on to captivate the audience through its powerful depiction of the struggle of a longing mother who awaits her dead son's return. Family matters the most as Sofiane puts his brother before anybody else. Although he is a jerk, he never stops looking for his brother's murderer.
A new Japanese trend called "Hikikomori", which is a practice of shunning society and staying indoors is exhibited a lot on the show. It is so popular among the French teens that Hikikomori ended up being an important subplot in the series.
Since the show is all about dark magic, it is very unpredictable. There are several plot twists throughout the show and the way they are taken care of is commendable. There should have been a bloodbath considering it is based on the backdrop of voodoo magic. Surprisingly it had very little blood and gore, which is still nice.
Dropping down to the basics, the show has flawless cinematography with smooth transitions, considering it is a supernatural drama. Some scenes are painted red and are very trippy.
The background score used for characters and scenes are intense and fit in just right to describe the brevity of events that are happening throughout the show.
There are a couple of French rap songs as well and that's something we don't usually get to hear often but they are catchy as hell. They set the "badass" mood really well.
On that note, the show 'Mortel' is flawless and keeps you hooked until the end. Your guess for what happens next will leave you tripping over the massive twists and revelations!
This series is perfectly binge-worthy as it has only 6 episodes that are barely 45 minutes each. So, turn off the lights, grab your comfy blanket and let the magic unfurl on your screens.
Watch the original series 'Mortel' on Netflix as it premieres on November 21.